ZergBurger Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Hello lads i just took a msf course in the states, and im in the market for a starter bike, a naked 300. I have been looking at the yamaha mt-03 and the kawasaki z300... Im 5'7 ????, which bike would be best for a shorter guy? Does anything else come to mind? I stay in chiang mai by the way Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matzzon Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 Yep, If you look for a starter bike, it can not be much more starter than that. 300cc is not a lot to call a motorcycle, but sure the Kawa 300 is good for what it is. Your height is nothing to bother about regarding most bike. You´re not that short. Thais are not known to be the longest race in the world. They drive them all the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZergBurger Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Im worried about being able to walk it inbetween cars during heavy traffic ect. Id consider lowering it or shaving the seat, maybe if i need a couple inches i can seach for a mechanic that can install a lowering kit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted July 29, 2020 Share Posted July 29, 2020 (edited) 3 hours ago, ZergBurger said: which bike would be best for a shorter guy? Does anything else come to mind? Honda rebel 300 (low easy rider frame) Honda Cbr 300f (taller sports frame) Can be had second hand for 50k-90k, single cylinder, ABS. Plenty advertised on Facebook marketplace around Chiang Mai. Edited July 29, 2020 by BritManToo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JonnyF Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 The MT03 is a great bike. Also has a low seat height, plenty low enough for someone 5'7" so no need for any seat shaving. There's a nice second hand one on BahtSold for 79,900 but unfortunately for you it's in Pattaya. Should be loads in Chiang Mai though. Get something like this and you could sell it in a year for about the same price. https://www.bahtsold.com/view/yamaha-mt03-abs-full-service-history-79000-pattaya--400856 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alx123 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 +1 MT-03 My Kawa 250 has higher seat than the MT-03 and I don't have any problems filtering in BKK's traffic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Just in case you consider the KTM Duke 390. Forget about it. It's too high for you. Sorry. I don't know how small you want to start. I have a Suzuki Raider 150. That's what I would call a good beginner's bike. It's small and is perfect for traffic. But it still has enough power (about 16HP) to easily accelerate fast to 100km/h. And it's so low that it will be easy for you to get your feet on the ground anywhere you like. And obviously it's a real bike with 6 gears manual shifting and a clutch. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 And if you want something special wait for this beast. I am sure it will be a lot of fun. Kawasaki Ninja ZX-25R 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZergBurger Posted July 30, 2020 Author Share Posted July 30, 2020 I like the abs and slipper clutch on the kawasaki z300.. Safety ya know...thanks for your help guys 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agusts Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 +1 for MT03, it's a great bike, more power than anything in it's class, it's actually 321cc. But most importantly it has a very upright seating position, all Kawa bikes are more bend forward types, suppose to be sporty, but very uncomfortable after an hour... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alx123 Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 Almost all naked 300 cc on the market are ABS equipped. Z300 is good. I wonder how slipper clutch feels like, I haven't ridden a bike with it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eisfeld Posted July 30, 2020 Share Posted July 30, 2020 2 hours ago, alx123 said: Z300 is good. I wonder how slipper clutch feels like, I haven't ridden a bike with it yet. It feels pretty good. It makes downshifts during deceleration much smoother if you let the clutch go a bit too fast. Especially for beginners a really really good feature. I like the MT-03 and would recommend a second hand one because the savings can be substantial and there's a good once one wants to upgrade to something bigger after a year or two. ???? And the dealers never give discounts here... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damrongsak Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) Why not a Z400 if it fits? Seat Height 30.9 in. Right zippy bike. Has a more upright seating position than the Ninja 400, but otherwise similar. Edited July 31, 2020 by Damrongsak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChakaKhan Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 Id be quite happy with a naked 21 The limited edition Uni Version....mint lean n mean fast n furious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damrongsak Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 3 minutes ago, ChakaKhan said: Id be quite happy with a naked 21 The limited edition Uni Version....mint lean n mean fast n furious What is a "naked 21"? Bar girl? University version better? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChakaKhan Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 13 minutes ago, Damrongsak said: What is a "naked 21"? Bar girl? University version better? Read it again looking for the UNI version White n black tight rear bumper fast n furious joop joop! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alx123 Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 7 hours ago, eisfeld said: It feels pretty good. It makes downshifts during deceleration much smoother if you let the clutch go a bit too fast. Especially for beginners a really really good feature. I like the MT-03 and would recommend a second hand one because the savings can be substantial and there's a good once one wants to upgrade to something bigger after a year or two. ???? And the dealers never give discounts here... I think using engine braking is one of the best way to slow down the bike aside from the brakes but as someone who also owns a scooter I think I can easily get acquainted with the slipper clutch. Mt-03 has no slipper clutch right? Then maybe OP is right, that the Z300 is better suited to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 35 minutes ago, alx123 said: using engine braking is one of the best way to slow down the bike aside from the brakes Not many other (sensible) options left.... stick your foot on the tire like we did as kids on pedal bikes , run it into a brick wall,aim for the chubbiest person on the zebra crossing...I haven't tried a parachute ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agusts Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 1 hour ago, alx123 said: I think using engine braking is one of the best way to slow down the bike aside from the brakes but as someone who also owns a scooter I think I can easily get acquainted with the slipper clutch. Mt-03 has no slipper clutch right? Then maybe OP is right, that the Z300 is better suited to him. Engine braking to slow down on public road riding is quite disputed as a good option, sure on the race track it is used to prevent brakes getting too hot and more control on the bends, but needing to down-shifting hard coming to a traffic light just means you didn't slow down properly before, and dangerous... As they say brake pads are cheaper than engine, clutch and transmission parts... Also from what I hear slipper clutch is a safety feature, means if one down-shift accidentally hard, the back wheel does not lock up and skid, instead gear just pop out and not shift down- I can imagine if going fast, not braking and relying on engine brake, you probably hit the car in front if that happen - on a traffic light ...!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZergBurger Posted July 31, 2020 Author Share Posted July 31, 2020 I have a fantasy of giving me gf my old 300 bike after lowering it and getting a 600.... But if anything should happen to her id feel responsible. Her mum lives with us afterall. Decisions decisions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 5 hours ago, Agusts said: Engine braking to slow down on public road riding is quite disputed as a good option, sure on the race track it is used to prevent brakes getting too hot and more control on the bends, but needing to down-shifting hard coming to a traffic light just means you didn't slow down properly before, and dangerous... As they say brake pads are cheaper than engine, clutch and transmission parts... Also from what I hear slipper clutch is a safety feature, means if one down-shift accidentally hard, the back wheel does not lock up and skid, instead gear just pop out and not shift down- I can imagine if going fast, not braking and relying on engine brake, you probably hit the car in front if that happen - on a traffic light ...!!! My Duke 390 has a slipper clutch. I know that from the specs but I don't think I ever experienced it in real life. I downshifted pretty fast a couple of times to see if I experience that slipper clutch somehow. The deceleration was as expected. But I have to admit I never tried to downshift crazy to a level where the engine would get into the red RPM area. Personally I believe slipper clutches are not necessary for everyday riding. But I am sure they are great for Supermoto ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eisfeld Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 (edited) 7 hours ago, alx123 said: as someone who also owns a scooter I think I can easily get acquainted with the slipper clutch. There is nothing to get acquainted to. It just removes the lockup of the wheel when being too aggressive when downshifting. Like ABS doesn't really require you to learn something. These things only come into play when things are a bit out of hand. 5 hours ago, Agusts said: Engine braking to slow down on public road riding is quite disputed as a good option, sure on the race track it is used to prevent brakes getting too hot and more control on the bends, but needing to down-shifting hard coming to a traffic light just means you didn't slow down properly before, and dangerous... Most riders of big bikes probably use engine braking naturally all the time. It doesn't mean you *only* use engine braking. Many of these bikes have pretty strong engine braking meaning as soon as you let off the throttle you will noticably slow down. You don't even have to switch gears necessarily, certainly not hard. With my Africa Twin I can probably stay in second gear for most of the ride if I wanted to and just accelerate and slow down with the throttle. Engine breaking does not enhance your braking power in relation to brakes. Your front brake will always be more powerful. When you use engine braking is before you get into the bend, slowing down the bike *smoothly*. I assume you've never ridden a bigger bike with proper engine braking? Scooters have very little so you can't really use that. Edit: just saw your topic about a CB650R hehe ok so you did ride a bigger bike. Though that's a four cylinder and not super strong on engine braking but I guess it gave you a better idea about it. Edited July 31, 2020 by eisfeld 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agusts Posted July 31, 2020 Share Posted July 31, 2020 @eisfeld I agree with what you say, but I was referring to down-shifting hard to use engine braking to slow down and hence the safety feature of slipper-clutch. Of course everyone benefits from natural engine braking when letting go of the throttle - and more so on big engines, see my report on when I rented the CB650R recently, that beast peaks at 9000rpm and 11000rpm for max torque and HP, so a high revving engine like that will have a lot of engine braking when you let go of throttle, I experienced it first hand.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
properperson Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) On 7/30/2020 at 5:58 AM, ZergBurger said: if i need a couple inches i can seach for a mechanic that can install a lowering kit. OP, To reply to your original question..... The Honda CB300R, MT03 and Kawa Z300 are "Vanilla bikes" - there's nowt wrong with vanilla ice cream, but you want a Ben and Jerry's chocko mint chip, bike..... The best bike in this category ( by a country mile) is the KTM Duke 390 (i know - ive had 2 of them, the original Gen 1 and now the Gen 2, which came out after 2018...) .... If you click on the video below (MT03 vs Gen 1 Duke 390 - and skip to 3m 45sec).. You hear the word "special" - a word rarely used by bike testers these days ...... The MT03 didn't stand a chance - and the Gen 2 390 Duke is much much better than the Gen 1..... Then on to the Gen 2 390 vs Kawa Z400 (the duke already trounced the Z300 in an earlier test, so no point posting a link to that).... At the end of the test - the 24,000 dollar question - Both testers were asked " if it was your own money, which bike would you buy " ? (clue - it wasn't the kawa, dispite being $500 USD cheaper in the USA.... The KTM 390 Gen 2 has ride by wire throttle, slipper clutch, LED display, adjustable ABS and a feel when you ride it like you're on something special....... Prices at the moment are very affordable, as the previous importer / distributer closed down - but a new importer has just opened up and a new dealer network set up - so there will be no problem with servicing / spare parts ........ And the 390 isn't just a novice's bike - ive been riding almost 45 hears, with the neck end of 60 bikes under my belt - My 390 is one of the best bikes i've ever owned ..... Currently i got the duke and a Hypermotard, if one of them had to go, i can say hand on heart, it wouldn't be the ktm ..... So to conclude - IMHO - Go Ben an Jerry's .... Edited August 1, 2020 by properperson 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 13 minutes ago, properperson said: OP, To reply to your original question..... The Honda CB300R, MT03 and Kawa Z300 are "Vanilla bikes" - there's nowt wrong with vanilla ice cream, but you want a Ben and Jerry's chocko mint chip, bike..... The best bike in this category ( by a country mile) is the KTM Duke 390 (i know - ive had 2 of them, the original Gen 1 and now the Gen 2, which came out after 2018...) .... That's all wonderful and I agree the Duke 390 is a great bike - I own one (new model). But the seat position is too high for a 5'7 rider! I am 186cm tall and I can flat foot that bike - just about. This is just a picture to show the idea of flat foot - the bike is not the Duke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
properperson Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) 6 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said: That's all wonderful and I agree the Duke 390 is a great bike - I own one (new model). But the seat position is too high for a 5'7 rider! I am 186cm tall and I can flat foot that bike - just about. This is just a picture to show the idea of flat foot - the bike is not the Duke. a lowering kit is availably freely and cheaply on tinternet, plus you can also cut come of the foam away from the fairly chunky seat ..... the 390 can and will fit him like a glove ..... (a lot of ladies have 390's) Never say never ..... Edited August 1, 2020 by properperson 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahjongguy Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 The 2020 Kwacker Z 400 can be bought for essentially the same price as the Z 300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ZergBurger Posted August 1, 2020 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 1, 2020 I just put a down payment on the Ninja ZX-25R. The 5th person to do so in chiang mai... Due october 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston broke Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 1 hour ago, ZergBurger said: I just put a down payment on the Ninja ZX-25R. The 5th person to do so in chiang mai... Due october Firstly what relevence does your post have to a thread started by a guy looking for advice about buying his first bike ? - The 25R will have burger all power below 12,000 rpm. Going to be a blast riding through all that CM traffic that's for sure. Secondly - imho, You'd have been better off Waiting for the upcoming KTM RC 490 - 10hp more and a more balanced bike all round from what i've read . A definate game changer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
piston broke Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 4 hours ago, mahjongguy said: The 2020 Kwacker Z 400 can be bought for essentially the same price as the Z 300. and the Duke 390, with the discounts currently available, is cheaper still . Where's Pappa Al when you need him ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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