RX3 Visits With the X-300

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by jbfla

BB......they come in silver and gray, too...

I really like riding the RX3......or I wouldn't have ridden 11,000+ miles in a little over a year....more than my other 3 bikes combined.

OTOH, my maintenance issues with the RX3 have not been much fun. Hopefully my experience is not typical.

No one else seems to be posting with the same issues as I have.

And, Jay, it may not be fashionable on ChinaRiders, but it isn't always about the $$$.


Back to the bikes:

The X-300 has a really high revving engine....like a sport bike...and I thought the RX3 was high revving.

I was up to 6th gear at about 45-50 mph.

At 60 mph at 7,000 rpm, I was reaching for a non existent 7th gear, and going faster made the engine feel buzzy, and like it was really "screamin'.

It wasn't a feeling I was used to, and don't know if I like.

For me, the RX3 is happiest from 5,000 to 8,000 rpm. I generally find myself cruising from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm.

If I maintain 7,000 to 8,000 rpm on the RX3, my gas mileage drops by ~10 mpg (US gal).

It may be that I am more used to the vibrations of the RX3's thumper, but they seem more pleasant (in tune with my "chi"), than the higher frequency vibrations of the X-300's twin.



jb

Apologies for the earlier hijack, jb.

Wow, I'm glad it's you that's testing this new bike, with all the experience and miles you've caulked up on the RX3. You can feel and experience the differences between the two bikes. It's really difficult for me to fathom that Kawalski would make even a higher revving "adv bike" than our RX3's. The lack of mid-range torque is my biggest complaint, and the green bike has even less?
What is your opinion on how the two bikes handle and corner in comparison?

[Jay In Milpitas]

Originally Posted by jbfla

BB......they come in silver and gray, too...

I really like riding the RX3......or I wouldn't have ridden 11,000+ miles in a little over a year....more than my other 3 bikes combined.

OTOH, my maintenance issues with the RX3 have not been much fun. Hopefully my experience is not typical.

No one else seems to be posting with the same issues as I have.

And, Jay, it may not be fashionable on ChinaRiders, but it isn't always about the $$$.


Back to the bikes:

The X-300 has a really high revving engine....like a sport bike...and I thought the RX3 was high revving.

I was up to 6th gear at about 45-50 mph.

At 60 mph at 7,000 rpm, I was reaching for a non existent 7th gear, and going faster made the engine feel buzzy, and like it was really "screamin'.

It wasn't a feeling I was used to, and don't know if I like.

For me, the RX3 is happiest from 5,000 to 8,000 rpm. I generally find myself cruising from 5,500 to 6,500 rpm.

If I maintain 7,000 to 8,000 rpm on the RX3, my gas mileage drops by ~10 mpg (US gal).

It may be that I am more used to the vibrations of the RX3's thumper, but they seem more pleasant (in tune with my "chi"), than the higher frequency vibrations of the X-300's twin.



jb

I agree, JB, it's not always about the $$. My intent with the suggestion of the swap & ride was to give the dealer the CSC Experience so he/she could understand the bike that started the demure genre. Afterwards having the dealer grasp what comes stock on the bike and at what price, well,,,,,, that's just the icing on the spare ribs.

I don't recall what the Kaw 300 Ninja redline is, but yeah, screaming revs are common on such bikes. I remember when we had Brit bike customers come test ride the new Honda 350 in 1968. That first year had a 10,500 rpm redline, and it would run near that all, day, long. Not leaving even a drop of oil confounded them even more. And yes it buzzed, but compared to what they were exposed to on the Brits, all seemed to comment how smooth it was.

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

I agree, JB, it's not always about the $$. My intent with the suggestion of the swap & ride was to give the dealer the CSC Experience so he/she could understand the bike that started the demure genre. Afterwards having the dealer grasp what comes stock on the bike and at what price, well,,,,,, that's just the icing on the spare ribs.

I don't recall what the Kaw 300 Ninja redline is, but yeah, screaming revs are common on such bikes. I remember when we had Brit bike customers come test ride the new Honda 350 in 1968. That first year had a 10,500 rpm redline, and it would run near that all, day, long. Not leaving even a drop of oil confounded them even more. And yes it buzzed, but compared to what they were exposed to on the Brits, all seemed to comment how smooth it was.

Ninja 300 soft limiter is at 12.5k, redline is 13k.

Highway cruise is at 9K, although I've done stints at 10k.

You get used to revving the piss out of it. It doesn't mind, but it's a strange experience if you're not familiar with it.

[kohburn]

Originally Posted by jontando

That exhaust is killing me. There is no way I'd take it off road.

I also ride a Versys 650 - some people who really off-road it have rerouted the exhaust to not run under the engine like it does stock. it increases ground clearance 3" after adding a skid plate. the 650 is 465lbs. if the 300 is 385. that's 80 pounds less to throw around (and 20 less hp)

[kohburn]

on a side note - compare those hp and torque ratings to the oft beloved drz400
Power39 hp (29 kW)[1]Torque25.6 lb·ft (34.7 N·m)[1]


different rpm for the power band but otherwise the same peak ratings for the x300

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by jontando

That exhaust is killing me. There is no way I'd take it off road.

From the X-300's Owner's Manual:



jb

[Sullybiker]

Ha, they still have that standard Kawi break-in that is the subject of much mirth on the 300 forums.

If you stick to 4000rpm, you'll be overtaken by someone pushing a stroller. It is practically impossible to adhere to unless you have your own private track and lots of time.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

Ha, they still have that standard Kawi break-in that is the subject of much mirth on the 300 forums.

If you stick to 4000rpm, you'll be overtaken by someone pushing a stroller. It is practically impossible to adhere to unless you have your own private track and lots of time.

Yes, no way to keep that engine under 4,000 rpm.....except at idle...

On my test ride, riding very conservatively, I shifted at 5,000 rpm.

At 7,000 rpm the buzz in the seat and handlebars kicked in.

When checking the specs of the Ninja, I found the sprockets are 14/42.

The X-300's are 14/46, which will yield an even higher rpm at the same speeds.

Sully, what is the fuel mileage on your Ninja?

jb

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by jbfla

Yes, no way to keep that engine under 4,000 rpm.....except at idle...

On my test ride, riding very conservatively, I shifted at 5,000 rpm.

At 7,000 rpm the buzz in the seat and handlebars kicked in.

When checking the specs of the Ninja, I found the sprockets are 14/42.

The X-300's are 14/46, which will yield an even higher rpm at the same speeds.

Sully, what is the fuel mileage on your Ninja?

jb

Mine is at the lower end of the scale, on a bike that is considered very economical. I average about 50 in winter and nearer 60 on Summer gas, but my commute is about the worst case scenario - four miles of 70-80mph freeway with some big hills, then about five miles of suburban roads, then stop & go for a few miles.

On the open road doing weekend rides, it's a lot better, nearer 65-70.

Lighter riders (usually women) have got near 80.

Here's my cut down commute. You can get a good impression of the character of the motor and how it likes to be used.

[jbfla]

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

......
Here's my cut down commute. You can get a good impression of the character of the motor and how it likes to be used.

Thanks for the video. That helps a lot.

It didn't seem to have that high-pitched whine, like the large displacement, 4 cylinder sport bikes.

And it seems like your Ninja had plenty of acceleration. I'm wondering if the X-300 could handle the the same 14/42 sprockets.

jb

[Sullybiker]

Originally Posted by jbfla

Thanks for the video. That helps a lot.

It didn't seem to have that high-pitched whine, like the large displacement, 4 cylinder sport bikes.

And it seems like your Ninja had plenty of acceleration. I'm wondering if the X-300 could handle the the same 14/42 sprockets.

jb

I used a mic in my breast pocket so there's a lot more treble, and I've got a small Leo Vince carbon fibre muffler on there.

Acceleration is fine. It won't win many drag races but you can easily stay ahead of most cars; the bike's light too. The motor is really excellent, you just need to let it rev.

One thing I didn't mention, and I don't know if this is improved with the X-300; the front brake is awful. I will put a steel-braided line in there at some point, but they're notoriously spongey from the factory: This is a bike where you definitely need to use both.

[fjmartin]

Just like the RX3. Terrible front brake! Sintered aftermarket pads help a ton. They also sell an 11.5" rotor upgrade kit.

[jbfla]

I took my 3rd test ride on the X-300, another 20 miles, for a total of 50 miles over the 3 rides.

Excellent fit and finish. Good, light handling.

Spin-on oil filter, and shim adjusted valves (12,000 mile valve checks).

I like everything about this bike..........except the most important part....the engine.

IMO, the sport bike engine is not a good match for this small adventure bike.

After the ride, I had a long talk with the lady who had purchased the first X-300 I test rode.

She had put several hundred miles on the bike and was very pleased.

However, she told me one of her former bikes was a Ninja 250, and the X-300 engine behaved the same way.

In her words, "the engine is a screamer".

That confirmed my impressions, and is not what I want for taking a leisurely ride on country roads.

Tomorrow I have to tell the ever-so-accommodating dealer that the X-300 is not for me.

jb

[SpudRider]

Thanks for posting your detailed impressions of the X-300, JB. Based upon the excellent information you have provided, I'm confident I would prefer my RX3 over the new Kawasaki bike. I am rapidly approaching 25,000 miles on the odometer of my RX3.

[SpudRider]

Originally Posted by fjmartin

Just like the RX3. Terrible front brake! Sintered aftermarket pads help a ton. They also sell an 11.5" rotor upgrade kit.

The EBC/Arashi brake rotor also significantly improves the performance of the front brake.

http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=18547

With sintered brake pads and the new, Arashi brake rotor, I am now very pleased with the performance of my front brake.