Bikers!?

[Trompie67]

First bike - never buy new. You will not keep it long (even more so if SO is on a ZX10), and will take a huge knock in value when you sell.

Buy 2nd hand, someone else has taken the first knock. Also, you won't feel so bad when (not if) you drop it.

 

[Spectaitor]

First bike - never buy new. You will not keep it long (even more so if SO is on a ZX10), and will take a huge knock in value when you sell.

Buy 2nd hand, someone else has taken the first knock. Also, you won't feel so bad when (not if) you drop it.

I know plenty of people who have bought their 1st bike new and kept them over 6 years.
Don't give silly advice like that. It's not hard to know what you want before you buy your bike, even more so since I'm assuming you can test ride the ZX10, a dealership might let you test ride a ninja 400 too.

You might not want to buy new if you drop the bike, feels crap either way but less so dropping a cheaper, secondhand bike. Just don't drop your bike then
Also dropping your bike doesn't mean you've written it off like everyone makes it seem.

I need some stern advice regarding picking up a RC390 2022 or a Ninja 400 new to begin my motorcycle journey on, yes the same question I have asked before but I finally got to see an old RC390 and a new Ninja 400 and I have to admit, the ninja looks giant compared and was a brilliant looking motorcycle.
Do you think it would be stupid to give up all the rider aids the RC390 now offers for the Ninja 400?

I am going to be on one or the other while my girlfriend is on a ZX10R... help?

To the actual question.
The two are actually from different worlds.
KTM is a single
Kawa is a twin
Kawa should and objectively does have much better build quality.
Those KTM singles are renown for needing rebuilds. Plenty people get by happily without rider aids, you aren't trying to win races with either bike.

I'd buy the 400 twin.

 

[Areola Grande]

I'd also take the 400 twin. They're both great bikes, especially the new 2022 RC390. But the Ninja is better built, less vibration than the single in the RC.

 

[ghostR]

I know plenty of people who have bought their 1st bike new and kept them over 6 years.
Don't give silly advice like that. It's not hard to know what you want before you buy your bike, even more so since I'm assuming you can test ride the ZX10, a dealership might let you test ride a ninja 400 too.

You might not want to buy new if you drop the bike, feels crap either way but less so dropping a cheaper, secondhand bike. Just don't drop your bike then
Also dropping your bike doesn't mean you've written it off like everyone makes it seem.



To the actual question.
The two are actually from different worlds.
KTM is a single
Kawa is a twin
Kawa should and objectively does have much better build quality.
Those KTM singles are renown for needing rebuilds. Plenty people get by happily without rider aids, you aren't trying to win races with either bike.

I'd buy the 400 twin.

Thanks for the detailed reply. Going to probably end up on a new Ninja 400, RC seems great with all the tech but everbody swears by the 400 and I dont see them sliding out because there isn't TC.

On that point of "dont buy new hurr durr" Listen I get it. New bike + drop = sad rider. But in all reality just check the second-hand market for the low cc range. There is none. a 2017 Ninja 400 is going for R89k where it is R99k brand new for the 2022 edition. There is just no great deals unless you go past 2015 and I want to avoid going older, as I do plan to keep it for a long... long time. There is also the insurance aspect to look at when a new bike would have slightly less premiums.

My fiance had a look at a ZX10R recently and she fell in love with it. Wants to get it and it is second-hand of course because for R149k you can grab a brilliant 2014 one.

 

[Trompie67]

I know plenty of people who have bought their 1st bike new and kept them over 6 years.
Don't give silly advice like that. It's not hard to know what you want before you buy your bike, even more so since I'm assuming you can test ride the ZX10, a dealership might let you test ride a ninja 400 too.

OK, didn't realise you were the only one allowed to give silly advice, apologies!

Having owned & ridden bikes for 40 odd years I can confidently state that no man with any testosterone in his system will be happy with an RC390 or a 400 twin for very long.
I know woman who've walked away from small capacity bikes because they are so soul-less.
They are the modern version of the 50cc rubbish we were forced to ride at age 16, the first thing everyone did (other than swop to 80cc kits as soon as we could afford to 😇 ) when they turned 18 was buy a bigger bike.
I should possibly have prefaced my original comment with some drivel along the lines of "if you're going to buy a small capacity bike to learn on, then do not buy new". Really, nobody wants to ride a small capacity bike on an ongoing basis. They suck. End.

It's not easy to know what you want - you may think you do, but until you've ridden a selection of bikes over an extended period for your use case you do not know squat.

If it was me, or anyone I knew looking to buy a first bike, I'd advise the NC700/750 as a first bike. Easy to ride, great to learn on. Easy to sell on when you want to go bigger.

That 400 twin is going to vibrate the fillings out of your teeth, and with 45hp trying to shift 170kg (make that closer to 190kg wet) performance is going to be wheezy at best. Worst bit for me - a single front disc on a bike weighing +230kg with rider is nothing short of a cost-cutting sin & a compromise to the riders safety.
But then, it does have ZX10 looks, so I guess it's cool (ish) to be seen on. 🙄

 

[Spectaitor]

Thanks for the detailed reply. Going to probably end up on a new Ninja 400, RC seems great with all the tech but everbody swears by the 400 and I dont see them sliding out because there isn't TC.

On that point of "dont buy new hurr durr" Listen I get it. New bike + drop = sad rider. But in all reality just check the second-hand market for the low cc range. There is none. a 2017 Ninja 400 is going for R89k where it is R99k brand new for the 2022 edition. There is just no great deals unless you go past 2015 and I want to avoid going older, as I do plan to keep it for a long... long time. There is also the insurance aspect to look at when a new bike would have slightly less premiums.

My fiance had a look at a ZX10R recently and she fell in love with it. Wants to get it and it is second-hand of course because for R149k you can grab a brilliant 2014 one.

Nice, you do you brother and gooi some peekchas when you get her.

 

[Spectaitor]

OK, didn't realise you were the only one allowed to give silly advice, apologies!

Having owned & ridden bikes for 40 odd years I can confidently state that no man with any testosterone in his system will be happy with an RC390 or a 400 twin for very long.
I know woman who've walked away from small capacity bikes because they are so soul-less.
They are the modern version of the 50cc rubbish we were forced to ride at age 16, the first thing everyone did (other than swop to 80cc kits as soon as we could afford to 😇 ) when they turned 18 was buy a bigger bike.
I should possibly have prefaced my original comment with some drivel along the lines of "if you're going to buy a small capacity bike to learn on, then do not buy new". Really, nobody wants to ride a small capacity bike on an ongoing basis. They suck. End.

It's not easy to know what you want - you may think you do, but until you've ridden a selection of bikes over an extended period for your use case you do not know squat.

If it was me, or anyone I knew looking to buy a first bike, I'd advise the NC700/750 as a first bike. Easy to ride, great to learn on. Easy to sell on when you want to go bigger.

That 400 twin is going to vibrate the fillings out of your teeth, and with 45hp trying to shift 170kg (make that closer to 190kg wet) performance is going to be wheezy at best. Worst bit for me - a single front disc on a bike weighing +230kg with rider is nothing short of a cost-cutting sin & a compromise to the riders safety.
But then, it does have ZX10 looks, so I guess it's cool (ish) to be seen on. 🙄

Talking out of your nawt there bruh.
In all your 40 years you seem to have learnt nothing.
A 300cc R3 can clock 180ishkmph, something I've done personally on a friends bike he's had for 5 years.
He has plenty testosterone.

Go sit in your corner and stop giving silly advice.

Edit:
To think you can compare a 50cc bike from 19foetsek to one of these modern twins proves how silly your advice is.

 

[Areola Grande]

I do agree with @Trompie67 that @ghostR will eventually want to upgrade. However, as a beginner biker, the 400CC is perfect. It's so much faster than anything OP will have driven before that it will be an exhilirating ride for years to come.

Also, there is nothing more soulless than an NC700/NC750. They are good bikes. But they're completely soulless. Also not really a great idea to learn to ride on an automatic bike. Just skip it entirely until you have more experience and a better feel for what you want.

 

[ovisser1]

Also not really a great idea to learn to ride on an automatic bike.

Not all of them are automatic though, the base model is still manual.

And if anyone pays extra to get an automatic bike, the sin is on them.

 

[Areola Grande]

Not all of them are automatic though, the base model is still manual.

And if anyone pays extra to get an automatic bike, the sin is on them.

Okay fair point yea. You could make a better argument for a manual version I suppose, but I'd still skip it.

 

[ovisser1]

Okay fair point yea. You could make a better argument for a manual version I suppose, but I'd still skip it.

Indeed,

Its settled then @ghostR - Get the Africa Twin.

Fuck logic.

 

[Andrew_Smith]

Indeed,

Its settled then @ghostR - Get the Africa Twin.

Fuck logic.

Here is a nice one on the Wille Honde Forum:

Sold - 2016 Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin DCT

Mileage: 29 600km New: Battery, chain and sprockets fitted a few weeks ago. Tyres: At least 80% tread remaining. Comes with a spare key Well over 70k worth of bells and whistles have been fitted. Some are: Full aluminium TRAX pannier/top box set (including inner bags and aluminium bottles)...

wilddog.net.za

 

[Areola Grande]

Here is a nice one on the Wille Honde Forum:

Sold - 2016 Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin DCT

Mileage: 29 600km New: Battery, chain and sprockets fitted a few weeks ago. Tyres: At least 80% tread remaining. Comes with a spare key Well over 70k worth of bells and whistles have been fitted. Some are: Full aluminium TRAX pannier/top box set (including inner bags and aluminium bottles)...

wilddog.net.za

It would be great if it didn't look like that. But this oke has a girlfriend, why are you trying to make him single by recommending this thing? Have you no love for your fellow man?

 

[ovisser1]

Here is a nice one on the Wille Honde Forum:

Sold - 2016 Honda CRF 1000L Africa Twin DCT

Mileage: 29 600km New: Battery, chain and sprockets fitted a few weeks ago. Tyres: At least 80% tread remaining. Comes with a spare key Well over 70k worth of bells and whistles have been fitted. Some are: Full aluminium TRAX pannier/top box set (including inner bags and aluminium bottles)...

wilddog.net.za

My brother got the 2022 model now as a company bike, Not joking. I rode it and it was enough fun for what it is.
But one day he overtook me (myself in a car) on the back wheel and I knew I wasn't skilled enough

 

[Trompie67]

Talking out of your nawt there bruh.
In all your 40 years you seem to have learnt nothing.
A 300cc R3 can clock 180ishkmph, something I've done personally on a friends bike he's had for 5 years.
He has plenty testosterone.

Go sit in your corner and stop giving silly advice.

Edit:
To think you can compare a 50cc bike from 19foetsek to one of these modern twins proves how silly your advice is.

I'll keep my nawt & you can put a plug in your poephol.

Of course it can do 180. Along a 5km long stretch with a "slight" tailwind .
It may take 10 minutes to get there though..... Go try it on the '22, or over Long Tom. You'll want to ride it off the edge of the cliff after trying to accelerate out of the first 5 corners.
Also. Not our fault your buddy can't or won't afford an upgrade.

You missed my point about the brakes? ...... stopping in an emergency? Not so easy.
I repeat: They are dogs.

I'd still take the NC700/750 over that 390/400 any day of the week. Agree with @UrBaN_BuNnY that the NC's are uninspiring, but that's the nature of that bike. Easy to ride & therefore to learn on, unintimidating & also easy to get rid of when you're ready to upgrade. Although a friend has clocked of 100k km's on his, and is no no rush to get rid of it. 90% of his use is commuting though, and it is perfect for that purpose.
I totally disagree that the 400 will remain an "exhilirating ride for years to come". You will get bored very quickly as soon as you acquire some skills.

 

[Spectaitor]

Gosh, your entire "400's are kak but the boring as hell and slower NC series is better" argument just makes no sense.

 

[Spontaneous.Spinach]

Just buy something! You keep procrastinating and not enjoying the freedom and culture! You already missed the Boob run in Toti Lol, I still own my RC and fair enough it's no 299kmph straight line beast but damn you can enjoy and chow big CCs in corners! Also, you can easily commute, flicking this bike in an out traffic is a breeze.

You just need abs! You don't need TC or Cornering ABS/TC on a sub 600cc bike, it's EXTREMELY forgiving.
Go for the Kawasaki if you really want it!

 

[ghostR]

Wow looks like I started a war. I know that the NC700 and such is safe and well what some people recommend but I am fine thanks.

That bike is quite heavy isn't in the range I am looking at and personally after seeing it in person, I just said eww and moved on. To each their own with taste. @Trompie67 maybe down the line I will consider it, but I have heard of plenty of people moving from high cc down to the Ninja 400 or RC due to it being a vibrant and enjoyable ride. Then there are the track people.

At the end of the day I am looking at starting on a sports bike and using if to commute on, I am new, so I doubt I would get bored of a 400cc.

My fiancé also just said "those that get bored of a 400, probably never knew how to use any of the bikes potential"

That said, I can feel my self esteem dropping when she overtakes me on her ZX10R.....

Otherwise thank you all for the input.

 

[ghostR]

Just buy something! You keep procrastinating and not enjoying the freedom and culture! You already missed the Boob run in Toti Lol, I still own my RC and fair enough it's no 299kmph straight line beast but damn you can enjoy and chow big CCs in corners! Also, you can easily commute, flicking this bike in an out traffic is a breeze.

You just need abs! You don't need TC or Cornering ABS/TC on a sub 600cc bike, it's EXTREMELY forgiving.
Go for the Kawasaki if you really want it!

I will I will! Just was busy for 6 months and waiting on finances shortly to run buy one and be FRREEEEEEE

 

[ghostR]

So outsurance just got back to me regarding insurance on a Ninja 400 2022 brand new. They said it is R1950/pm for cover where the bike on finance as a whole costs less?! The hell

 

[Areola Grande]

So outsurance just got back to me regarding insurance on a Ninja 400 2022 brand new. They said it is R1950/pm for cover where the bike on finance as a whole costs less?! The hell

Try insurance including household insurance - may reduce your price a bit.

@ghostR - I can get my broker to give you a call if you like. Dropped my premiums by R400.

 

[Spectaitor]

So outsurance just got back to me regarding insurance on a Ninja 400 2022 brand new. They said it is R1950/pm for cover where the bike on finance as a whole costs less?! The hell

Miway
Santam - Coupled bike and house insurance and am paying R130 for my bike. Combined house and bike insurance is still less than bike insurance with Outsurance.

 

[Trompie67]

Try some of the ones that are specialist in motorcycles:

Iron Horse
Mc Crystal
Bikesure

There was also a crowd based in Klerksdorp, but for the life of me I cannot recall the name.

 

[ovisser1]

Try some of the ones that are specialist in motorcycles:

Iron Horse
Mc Crystal
Bikesure

There was also a crowd based in Klerksdorp, but for the life of me I cannot recall the name.

Quadsure is also very nice, I've been with them forever.


Friend of mine is with omni group, and he has also been happy so far (no claims yet)

 

[Oops!!!]

anyone buy tyres from Sharwoods Bike Tyre - Continental & Gibson Motorcycle Tyres Importer & Distributor.

They have a really good combo special but never heard of them before.

 

[iamgigglz]

anyone buy tyres from Sharwoods Bike Tyre - Continental & Gibson Motorcycle Tyres Importer & Distributor.

They have a really good combo special but never heard of them before.

Yep they're good. I used them once a while back but the guys on Wild Dogs all use them often.

 

[cre(H)ate]

First bike - never buy new. You will not keep it long (even more so if SO is on a ZX10), and will take a huge knock in value when you sell.

Buy 2nd hand, someone else has taken the first knock. Also, you won't feel so bad when (not if) you drop it.

Then I should probably be ashamed for still owning a Ninja300 I bought new in late 2016, and now only has 635km on the clock. 🥲
I mean, the original tyres still have their knobblies...

 

[Trompie67]

Then I should probably be ashamed for still owning a Ninja300 I bought new in late 2016, and now only has 635km on the clock. 🥲
I mean, the original tyres still have their knobblies...

Well, you cannot really say you've even ridden it - that's around 105 km's a year - you've probably walked more than that each year! You should ride more!

Also - those little rubber pieces are from the moulding process and are called vent spews, not knobblies!

Also, those tyres are now 6 years old. Even if they've only done 600 odd km's they need replacing. Tyre life for bikes is recommended as no more than 5 years.

 

[cre(H)ate]

Well, you cannot really say you've even ridden it - that's around 105 km's a year - you've probably walked more than that each year! You should ride more!

Also - those little rubber pieces are from the moulding process and are called vent spews, not knobblies!

Also, those tyres are now 6 years old. Even if they've only done 600 odd km's they need replacing. Tyre life for bikes is recommended as no more than 5 years.

Well, I'll be damned. Thank you for the info. I suppose the petrol ain't that good anymore either...although she still starts perfectly fine every other week or so. The battery had to be replaced though. Twice. 😅

 

[Spectaitor]

Then I should probably be ashamed for still owning a Ninja300 I bought new in late 2016, and now only has 635km on the clock. 🥲
I mean, the original tyres still have their knobblies...

Ever serviced it?