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-   -   My Fair Lady : The Kawasaki Ninja 300 - Pearl Stardust White (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motorbikes/145147-my-fair-lady-kawasaki-ninja-300-pearl-stardust-white-3.html)

Avinash went a step further and got the 3M PPF installed on the tank. :)

I wish the PPF option was available back then when I bought my Ninja. I love the clear look on the tank over a tank pad.

@Avinash - There are quite a few options for motorcycle luggage but personally I prefer tail bag's over tank bag's. I'd highly recommend RJays Elite from their Platinum series or Cortech. These bags carry quite a lot of stuff for a trip.

Amazing bike, great pics & superb writing skills!!
I guess these bikes are what we all aspired to buy, but didn't materialize. Great that you followed your dream to buy one.
Happy Riding!!

Thank you Pratap.

If you hold on to the handle too hard, which I did when I first rode my friends CBR, both my palms & shoulders were aching. However, I loosened up my muscles and held it light. Dint have any issues. So, dint do that mistake on the Ninja. I have done few short rides, some 60Km and a couple of 100Km rides. Absolutely no problem.

I have ridden only once in the peek hour traffic and it was a heart in mouth situation. It shouldn't be a problem if you're okay with morons coming closer to your bike and trying to instigate a race. This is definitely not a bike worth riding in the traffic nor meant for our routine use. That's just my opinion.

Nope, nothing atleast from the short rides I did.

Wanna ride on a track, but, most rides would be touring. I was at Lets Gear up a week ago and this is where I saw those Sidi boots. I kind of liked it but wanted to take opinion from you guys. Also, are they water resistant?

I liked these tourmaster boots and they are not that expensive but not many reviews though. Your opinion?

Ah my bad. I was wondering why you mentioned leather jackets. I don't intend to ride in any cold terrains, atleast nothing for the next year, so will keep it at the end of the list for now.

Remember that drive to the Krishnagiri dam, one of the members took his i10 to the top of a small rock and I backed out? I dont know if you remember this incident, but, that's how I gauge stuff. I felt it was not worth it and I knew I was doing something bigger that year.

The feeling is something similar. After experiencing it twice, I really doubt I'll take it there. So, what I'm doing right now is, getting my Pulsar fixed up and planning to do both Himachal & Ladakh, but with the Ninja, will probably do a GQ ride. :)

You bet, I did. That one is a monster alright, but, to my eyes it looked ugly. If it was in the 300's clothes, I wouldn't have thought twice.

Thank you Santhosh. Hoping to meet you all soon.

Thank you so much bigron.

I saw those while getting the jacket, but are they water proof too? Remember reading about the DSG all weather pant, are they any good?

Saw these at Let's gear up last week and pretty much narrowed down to those. Want to take her on a track sometime, so I guess will get these.

What's your take on Tourmaster?

Thank you.

Thank you _raVan_

Thank you Adi.

Can you not remove the tankpad now? Is that permanent types?

I prefer the tail bag's too.

Remember seeing the RJays one, but Viatera bag (forgot the exact name) it can carry about 39Ltrs, when expanded & looked very compact. Any suggestion on this?

Few more questions to you :D

1. Is it a must to have radiator guard? and where to get one please? Read some reviews that the guards might prevent the functionality of the radiator to some extent, but some say its good to have to avoid bent fins.
2. Any specific Engine oil to be used? The one the company recommends costs 2.4K (for 2.2 ltrs).
3. There were these Puig Frame sliders for 12.5K at Lets Gear up. Are they any good or is there any other brand/make you would recommend?
4. The rear brake fluid is just above the minimum and well below the maximum. Is that normal?
5. When I was getting the PPF done, the guy mentioned about some 3M paint protection thin. Any good? or Just use a normal carnauba wax? (Formula 1/Armor All,Motomax..)
6. Anything else to keep in mind during the first service?

Thank you so much a_bharadwaj

Think you are referring to the Viaterra Claw.
Its a good bag, a lot of riders in my group use it and have heard good reviews. Price is decent too, about 2900 INR AFAIK.

Not too sure but what is the factory recommended? Motul 300V Factory Line? If so which grade?

Congrats! Good too see a different one.
Enjoy your ride and keep us posted.

Did you TD the 650 or just dropped it coz of its looks?

From one Avinash to another:

"Congratulations!"

The 300 in white looks absolutely stunning (and you don't look too bad either :uncontrol)

I've been toying with painting out my CI500 (on which I rode Del-Manali-Leh-Kargil-Sringar-Del) into this brilliant white too. And then every time I go to do it, I ask myself whether I really want to get rid of the black after all.. :D

In the event you're interested, that insane trip is documented here -
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...nture-leh.html

Ride safe, ride long and ride enjoyable. There's no better joy than being on two wheels! I look forward to reading more on this thread.

Avinash, Congratulations on your new bike, she is indeed a beauty and especially in that while color!
Also, just curious, how heavy is the helmet you bought? I am thinking of changing mine for my bullet and don't want a heavy one but still want a secure one ...

No, not the claw. That can accommodate about 60Ltrs if I not wrong. This one looks more compact and sits on the tail. I'm going this Saturday to pick up some stuff and planning to buy that. Will share the pics.

Don't have it on top of my head, but I think it is Motul Synthetic (4T 7100 20W50). Will double check and update.

Thank you jkdas.

Well, unfortunately they dont give any Test rides. Even otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered as I dint like it.

Thank you Avi.

I'm glad that you dint end up changing the color. The bull looks the best in Black.

Thank you. Will surely go through it this weekend. I love reading any motorcycle story.

Thank you srikrishna717.

Well, it is heavier than the normal Vega or West helmets (if you're comparing to them) but not that it would cause a headache or make you feel uncomfortable. Its got good cushioning and feels secure. The visibility is a little tight on the sides, but will get used to it.

One from todays ride!
The Ninja gets some attention!



Was a nice ride!
Sorry Avinash, couldn't wait up at the end.

Which variant in Sidi's are those?

You can buy the Sidi Vertigo rain which has a rain liner but it's not waterproof.

My suggestion is to not fret too much on waterproof boots or pants. It only rains here for a couple of months. Rest of the year it's gonna be hot and uncomfortable to ride with waterproof gear since it offers zero ventilation.

Check on Bike Bandit and Motorcycle Superstore for reviews on Tourmaster gear.

I can remove the existing tank pad and also thought about it a few times but deferred it for now.

1. Radiator guard is not mandatory. I don't have one on my bike and I don't have any bent fins either. You just have to be careful while riding on gravel :)

2. If your bike came with mineral oil from the factory (if it did, it would be bajaj DTSi oil AFAIK) switch to Motul 3000 mineral oil. Make the switch to semi synth and then to fully synth progressively. Refer my thread for more details

3. Man, those puig's are expensive or what? For that price you can get Shogun Carbon Fiber sliders which are super strong and the best you can get. Do take a look at the R&G sliders too. PRS may be stocking them.

4. Please get the fluid levels checked. It's at a safe level from what you have mentioned for now, but needs to be at the max level or a wee bit lower than max level

5. Look at the detailing threads and use genuine stuff only.

First, its a twin.

Second, it should be aerodynamically more suited to ride fast. Not that nakeds can't, but maybe I like less of windblast.

Third, we all agree that Kawasaki has better quality when compared to KTM.

Fourth, for academic purpose only, but top speed should be better.

Yes, the price is on the steeper side, but anyways...and by a twin, I mean it should be smoother and exhaust note should be better.

I am aware that Kawasaki 300 perhaps loses to KTM-390 in flat out acceleration till 130-140 and thats where most riding is done at. And that it has ABS.

A case of different strokes...

Thank you so much for the invite. Though we ended up late, I loved the ride and enjoyed your company.

Well, first of all thank you so much for riding at those pity speeds and I need to be sorry for making you reach the destination late. The next time we meet, it will be a different ball game :D

I think it was the Vertigo.

One of the reason is, wanted to do Malnad in July but like you said, it makes more sense to buy a decent rain coat.

Spoke to one of the guys during the IBW ride, who has a KTM200. He mentioned, during a ride to some place, he had to keep switching bikes with another rider, who had a CBR, as the crosswind would make his bike move too much and was tough balancing it at those speeds. Not sure about the 390 though.

Agree with everything you say - KTM quality has dropped significantly and is two leagues below the Kawasaki at least. I changed the exhaust on my 390 and it still sounds like a luggage auto gone mad compared to the sweet roar on my ninja. Slightly disagree on the top speed since the production 390s seem to be hitting higher top ends than reported in test rides (won't quote figures here) but 300 might still hold a very small theoretical edge.
If you can ignore the price, there is a clear winner in my head too. But, that is a 2 Lakh rupee 'If' :)

I have the SIDI Cobra WP: They are waterproof but I don't really feel the heat too much on rides, even on hot afternoons. Maybe because I avoid bad traffic on long rides by leaving early. And they work brilliantly in rain too - was pouring non-stop on a recent ride to coorg and my feet were all dry when I reached. So take your pick.

Where is the run-in at now? We should plan another Bangy boys ride after you complete your run-in: you are not getting all of us to ride at 60kmph :)

PS: On the cross-wind issue, the 390 seems to sit better than the 200 - never found it to be a cause of concern.

There is an upside!
I got 40 Kmpl on my last full tank, reserve to reserve! Thank You Run In Rider!

What did you change it to?

Agreed on the production versus test 390 top speeds. All testers were feeling equally miserable individually in private till we discovered it was the same for all and the production bikes were indeed hitting higher speeds (and were even quicker).

So all you 390 riders please take a moment and say THANK YOU! :D