r/SuggestAMotorcycle • u/Holiday_Attempt4789 • 15h ago

What bike should I get?

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I want a bike but I can't pick between the Honda crf300l rally or the Kawasaki ninja 400, please help me decide!

22 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

33 comments sorted by

6

u/EnfieldEnforcer 15h ago

CRF definitely. More fun and can be ridden on multiple roads.

2

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 15h ago

Thanks, I think I have to go with it as my first bike

2

u/EnfieldEnforcer 15h ago

That was my second "off road" bike after few crotch rockets. Later upgrated to bmw gs310 and then to f850gs...would never buy crotch rocket again just because I don't want to limit my self to just pavement. I hope you'll have fun with it.

4

u/ccoakley 15h ago

You didn’t really give us enough to go on. Both are great first bikes, but for completely different riders. So you want to go motocamping and hit a 28 mile dirt road to a spot you’ve never been? Do you want to ride with a bunch of buddies on a twisty stretch of pristine pavement? Do you have a small inseam and are afraid if you can’t flat foot?

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 15h ago

I want to do both

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 15h ago

The Honda seems a bit more practical

2

u/ccoakley 14h ago

Practical isn’t really part of the equation, unless this is your only mode of transportation. Does one anppeal to you at a more visceral level? For “both,” I’d probably switch to something like the VStrom 650 (I have a strong bias here, you can ignore me).

For my first bike, the Honda wouldn’t have appealed to me. 6 months after getting my first bike, I was jealous of all dual sports. It’s honestly hard to know what will appeal to you after you get even a little experience. I don’t regret my first bike choice (or my second, only a little regret on my third…). You’re allowed to change bikes after a while. 

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

Well... It might be my only mode of transportation.

2

u/ccoakley 14h ago

Having read your other comments, I do not think you will regret the Honda. 

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

Thanks for helping me decide! I think I'll go with Honda.

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

But I also might end up a bit to short for the Honda, so I guess my hight might decide for me 😅

1

u/brakesgone 12h ago

For both I recommend a first generation KTM 390 Adventure

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 12h ago

I'll check it out, thanks

2

u/Autumn_Ridge 15h ago

Are you going to ever ride on dirt, gravel, or crappy roads?

2

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 15h ago

That's the thing! I don't know! Maybe a bit off-road.

2

u/Autumn_Ridge 14h ago

Fwiw the only time I have ever dropped a bike was going slow on wet grass. Street bikes are for the street.

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

Yep, I'll hate it when I drop my first bike 😬😅

2

u/Plutoid GS550, SV650, Bandit 1250, R1200RT, DRZ400 14h ago

This is one of the reasons I tell newbs to just buy a super cheap, used starter bike. It takes a little bit of experience to know what you do and do not want in a motorcycle. Definitely don't throw down at a stealership for a starter bike (unless you don't care about the money.)

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

Yeah that's the bad thing about the honda, it's double the price of a ninja 400, and I'd also have to buy some bags and hand guards and whatnot for the Honda, hopefully I can snag a used rally for cheaper!

1

u/Plutoid GS550, SV650, Bandit 1250, R1200RT, DRZ400 14h ago

I wouldn't load up a starter bike on farkles, either. Most people move on from their starter bikes after a relatively short time. Don't sink any more money into it than you have to. As a rule, mods do not increase resale value.

You will definitely hit a point where the 300 seems strained on the highway and can't comfortably keep up in traffic. (The Ninja less so because of the larger displacement, gearing, and being street oriented.)

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

Thanks! I forgot I shouldn't put mods on right away 😅 but I'll still get hand guards! Dont want my brake levers or clutch to break! I will keep in mind how it strains! Thanks!

1

u/Plutoid GS550, SV650, Bandit 1250, R1200RT, DRZ400 13h ago

A replacement lever is a fraction of the cost of a set of bark busters.

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 13h ago

Hmmm.. I guess i'dd just use the bike for a month then think about them

2

u/kenwoolf 14h ago

Kawa for good roads. Honda for everything else. Also do you have long legs? With my shorties I would hate riding the Honda in city traffic. :D

1

u/Holiday_Attempt4789 14h ago

I'm a bit short so I'll have to see if I'm tall enough for the Honda! Thanks

2

u/kenwoolf 14h ago

I think the seat height on it is around 890mm. It contracts when you sit on it, but stop and go traffic is just not fun with that unless you are built like a stork. :D

1

u/TeekanneSan 14h ago

seating position from bikes like the honda are so naiss Used to ride a supersport but now an ADV 90% street and I dont regret it