Kawasaki Ninja 250/300 or Yamaha YZF-R3 or Honda CBR 250r?

I'm a beginner rider looking into buying my first motorcycle.

I'm an 18 years old female who's 5'3".

Bikes with a seat height under 800mm is ideal for someone of my height and experience that is why I've picked out these bikes. The seat heights of these 3 bikes are 780-785mm. I'd like a bike no older than 2007. One with easy maintenance and parts that aren't going to cost my an arm and a leg if something breaks on the bike. I know the 125's are cheaper however I've heard although they are a lot of fun, they aren't all that forgiving and I like the power that 250/300's have to offer - I feel they're better suited for me since I don't want to go selling and having to buying another bike because I want more power after riding a 125 for a couple months.

I like the look of the Ninja's and R3's but ultimately my choice with come down to comfort, affordability, easy to ride and of course forgiving to my beginner self.

I'll be getting a bike second hand for no more than $3500 Australia dollars so your recommendations would be much appreciated.

I'd say the R3. It's the newest of those bikes and has the biggest engine (320cc). Upright riding position even though it's touted as a sport bike and enough power to go on the highway with ease… Though you won't be keeping up with 600s. It has a very narrow stance so it should be good for someone smaller. For $5k… I don't think you can go wrong. It doesn't have ABS, though… But I wouldn't consider that a deal breaker since ABS on this class of bike is pretty new.

Get a Honda Rebel CMX250
Update: bike seat height is 700mm i believe
your legs will reach the ground

The sport bike formula has a high seat elevation for radical road control input and extreme road results. That comes at the high cost of eliminating the inseam challenged out of the customer pool.

#1. You may find a used lowered sport bike frame or have one lowered… That reduces the performance of an unaltered format bike.

#2. You may have to settle for a 'Cruiser' with a lower seat elevation.

They're all very good bikes. They're all pretty similar, I mean they're basically the same bike made by three different companies. They are all very close in ride, handling, acceleration, brakes, etc.

What you should do is look at a copy of each of them, sit on it, and see which feels better. The difference between them will be mostly ergonomics, the spacial relationship between the seat, handlebars, and footpegs. One will be more comfortable, more like it was made for you.

You may want to look at the Honda CB300F as well.

BTW- one of my bikes is a 50cc yamaha that I have ridden for 14 years and 15k, I haven't "out grown it" or gotten "bored with the power" yet.

Just a thought.

In my humble opinion, the Honda. The twins are faster on the track, Singles rule the streets.
Look at the Dyno Chart of the Honda vs. The Kawasaki:
Ignoring that the Honda is about 20 pounds lighter, it has far more torque and horsepower in the 4,500-8,500 rpm range where you are generally riding.

If you really want fun, find a used Suzuki LS650, a 652cc single -- LAMS good.

Hondas are generally easier to ride, however, I got bored of the power on my 250 pretty quickly. I now ride an FZ 07. If you plan on keeping the bike for a while, I would go with the R3.