Hi Steve, I have to agree – it is such a cool little bike. Comfy, handles well, light, surprising pull for a 250… an underrated bike for sure. Jeff .

Hey Calvin, I wouldn’t have thought there was much difference between those models, with the weights fully fueled pretty similar (probably 5-10kg variance between the GSX250R, Ninja 300 and R3 on paper, which can vary greatly by weight distribution, or a full/empty tank of fuel). The CBR300R may be a little lighter, but it’s also a thinner machine if you’re wrestling it around on foot, so it’d probably feel lighter on the showroom floor. Your height and leg to torso ratio also comes into it though, and can be a real factor with feeling comfortable on a machine.

If you’re a returning rider and want a bit more performance I’d probably suggest the R3 or holding out and seeing what the Ninja 400 is like if you’ve got the budget, as both offer a bit more performance to appreciate as an experienced rider (and the Ninja 300 prices will probably drop when it lands). The fact the GSX250R is quite wide can also make it feel heavier, but that gives it that neat 600cc look.

If you can try going on a test ride if you haven’t already, as they each have different characters. The R3 and Ninja are both a bit more aggressive, although not as extreme as a sportsbike, and you can work for the power delivery a bit more than the GSX250R as they are a bit peakier.