[Strawdog]

I am a re entry rider... it has been 30 years since I have owned my own bike. I have kept up my skills by riding my sons bikes from time to time. Other bikes I have considered seriously are the TW200, Van van, and the Versys x300. I like the fit and finish of the new Rebel better. 300 or 500 only time will tell.

 

[FLrebel]

Welcome friend, enjoy the ride once you get it.

 

[CueBaller]

Welcome!

I rode a TW200 in the MSF class...fun bike, but I wouldn't consider it in the same class as the Rebel.. at least not the 500.

 

[Strawdog]

Being a minimalist the 500cc is at the top end of what I was looking for. Although it does offer the option of expressway capabilities should I wander farther from home. The TW200 has a good riding position and is extremely rider friendly. Vanvan just didn't have a good feel about it or it didn't fit me right. Neither had a very big gas tank thereby both having a limited range. The Versys x 300 looks like a good bike but the seat is tall and hard like a rock. The reality of me doing a cross country adventure is slim. Besides I'm a fat tire fan. The Rebel 300 has HP and Torque well above the dual sport 250's except for the WR250r. I'm thinking it will easily out perform the other 250's despite out weighing them by 30 lbs or so and definitely putting the 200's to shame. My bottom line is the fun factor of a small machine. In New Hampshire there is hardly a straight road, or so it seems.

 

[CueBaller]

I can vouch that the 500 is very fun, and though it's my very first bike, it's a perfect beginner bike. So glad I opted for that one over the 300.

 

[Djdavies]

Can't beat the 500 while keeping the fun factor of a "small machine" since it is identical to the 300 except for the weight. The difference in power is, um... noticeable.

 

[CueBaller]

Can't beat the 500 while keeping the fun factor of a "small machine" since it is identical to the 300 except for the weight. The difference in power is, um... noticeable.

I was actually planning on the 300 until more reviews started popping up before the bikes hit showroom floors. More and more spoke about excessive vibrations at highway speeds, lack of reserve power at highway speeds... caused me to change my reservation at my local dealer, as they had one of each coming in.

Now I'm commuting 50 miles per day for work on my 500, highway and interstate, and have plenty of power to maneuver in 65-70mph rush hour traffic.

 

[Lyoko]

Welcome "home" Strawdog!

I can vouch that the 500 is very fun, and though it's my very first bike, it's a perfect beginner bike. So glad I opted for that one over the 300.

Yeah I can't really get my head around why someone would actually go for the 300 instead of the 500...
Sure, maybe the price had a say in it, but still. The 500 provides everything you need, for a long, long time. It's a bike at least I'll be driving for many years forward. But I couldn't have done the same with a 300.

 

[AlphSweep]

Welcome! What's the sales tax buying the bike in new Hampshire?

Alph