Yamaha YZF-R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300 vs KTM RC390

The new Yamaha YZF-R3 takes on the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the KTM RC390

The demand for bigger capacity sports bike has constantly been on the rise in India. Gone are the days when bikes with 5 digit price tags were a rarity as more and more people are looking to step into the world of sports bikes. And the best way to start off is with 300cc motorcycles which are universally considered beginner bikes by the enthusiasts. Two of the biggest names in sports biking are already present in the 300cc space in the form of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC390. Now Yamaha, another big name, has stepped into the ring with the Yamaha YZF R3. With the Yamaha YZF R3 now on sale across the country, we take a look at these three entry level sports bikes in our detailed Yamaha YZF-R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300 vs KTM RC390 spec sheet comparo

[box type=”shadow” ]Also See – Yamaha YZF-R3 Launch Story[/box]

Design

Before we start off with the looks of these three motorcycles, keep in mind that the appearance of any vehicle is a matter of personal taste and will differ from person to person. All three motorcycles bear a strong resemblance to other bikes from their respective manufacturer’s stable. The KTM is easily the most aggressive and striking looking of the lot. The sharp and edgy styling combined with the black-white-orange paint scheme is sure to turn heads wherever the bike goes. The Yamaha YZF-R3 looks good too with its large twin headlamps and characteristic Yamaha paint scheme, but doesn’t look like an absolute head turner. The Ninja 300 is the most grown up looking bike of the lot and appears to be a bigger capacity bike than it is, at least in pictures. Add to that Kawasaki’s iconic green colour and you get a motorcycle that looks very attractive indeed.

[box type=”success” ]We prefer the slightly minimalistic and very edgy design of the KTM RC390 over the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300.[/box]

Features

All three motorcycles are similaryl equipped and come with digital-analogue dials, disc brakes, alloy wheels, etc. While ABS is standard on the KTM RC390, we will have to wait until the official launch of the R3 to find out if it is offered with ABS or not. The Kawasaki Ninja 300 does not come equipped with ABS; a glaring ommision indeed. The RC390 also gets twin projector headlamps, whereas the other two get a conventional bulb and reflector setup. Other than that there really isn’t much in terms of features that sets these three bikes apart.

[box type=”success” ]The Kawasaki Ninja 300 misses out on ABS which is a glaring omission. The KTM RC390 gets projector headlamps and LED pilot lamps.[/box]

Specs

[box type=”success” ]The KTM RC390 has the biggest and the most powerful motor of the lot. However, it has a considerably smaller fuel tank as compared to the other two motorcycles. The Yamaha YZF-R3 is more powerful than the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and peak power and torque are achieved at a lower rpm as well.[/box]

Price

The Yamaha YZF-R3 is priced at INR 3.25 lacs (ex-showroom, New Delhi) which means it is cheaper than the Kawasaki Ninja 300 but more expensive than the KTM RC390 by more than a lakh.

[box type=”success” ]The KTM RC390 is the cheapest motorcycle among the three[/box]

Verdict

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is the most expensive bike of the lot, but it also comes with the legendary Ninja name and the iconic green livery. The Yamaha R3’s pricing seems spot on considering the bike has been brought in via the CKD route, unlike the KTM RC390 which is manufactured in India. It costs more than the KTM RC390 making the latter the most value for money proposition.

[box type=”success” ]The KTM RC390 is the cheapest and most striking looking motorcycle here in this comparison and would be our pick if you are looking for an entry level sports bike[/box]