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KTM RC390 vs. Ninja 300 vs. Honda CBR300R vs. Yamaha R3 vs. Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 vs. BMW G310r vs

Which one?

  • KTM RC390/Duke 390

    Votes: 14 19.7%

  • Ninja 300

    Votes: 27 38.0%

  • Honda CBR300R/CB300F

    Votes: 8 11.3%

  • Ducati Scrambler Sixty2

    Votes: 6 8.5%

  • BMW G310r

    Votes: 3 4.2%

  • Other

    Votes: 13 18.3%
  • Total voters
    71
M

mrzuzzo

New member
Joined
Dec 9, 2013
Location
Los Gatos Hills
Moto(s)
The one outside of Starbucks
Name
Victor
So, since Grom is gone wife wants another bike, and now we may as well get something more practical but are having a hard time choosing. She wants a small standard (250-500cc) or sportbike and I will not buy a bike without ABS. So not interested in Yama WRX, DRZs, or other motards.

There are lots of choices, but not one of them is the clear-cut winner. 'tis definitely a great time to be a motorcyclist!

Here is what I found from my research:

1) KTM RC390/390 Duke: Looks nice, is KTM, is very quick for its size and weight. Suspension and brakes are mediocre by KTM standards. Unfortunately, it isn't built well and the motor is bound to go kaboom from the day it leaves the factory. Looking at the 390 forums, there are wayyyy too many technical problems for a new bike. I'm not interested in buying a headache, especially considering this is the most $$$ of small bikes.

2) Ninja 300: People have been riding the Kawk for a while now so they are proven reliable. Looks nice. Unfortunately it is unreasonably heavy for its class, but not sure how well it carries it's weight.

3) Honda CBR300R: The most refined bike of them all, because Honda. Looks boring and is slowest and just overall zzzzzzz.

4) Yamaha R3: No ABS for USA? Really? Fuck you, Yamaha. :twofinger

5) Ducati Scrambler Sixty2: It's almost as heavy as the OG Scrambler so if you're looking at the Sixty2, you might as well just get the normal Scrambler. And if you're looking at the normal Scrambler, you might as well just get a better motorcycle altogether.

6) BMW G310r: BMW is taking forever to release this thing. Since it's Indian-made like the KTM I'm assuming that it will grenade until proven otherwise.

7) Turbo Busa: 3 riding modes make this bike the perfect beginner motorcycle. Paired with a Scotts steering damper, this bike is super easy to handle for beginners. Unfortunately, a little out of price range.

Conclusion - leaning towards the Kawk or the Honda at the moment.
 
Team Green. Close the poll now with a clear winner. :x
 
doesnt the Ninja have around 20% more HP and the same torque as the CBR, offsetting some of the weight issue?
 
I have a CB300F. It is a very good bike, but it's a single and get somewhat buzzy at high RPM, it also doesn't have ABS, which I agree is necessary. It has plenty of power for me, but a CB500X would be my choice.

Also note that the Honda 300's have an engine recall waiting to be resolved.
 
First I've heard of a Ninja 300 being heavy for its class. It never felt that way to me.

Kawi clearly has this category championed.
 
I'd add the CBR500R/CB500F as an option, yes a bit heavier but not really noticeable and the power delivery is very nice for a beginner. FWIW my wife rented one for a weekend and having not ridden for many many years, really liked it. Wouldn't go for a smaller motor, now.
 
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wakked1 said:
I'd add the CBR500R/CB500F as an option, yes a bit heavier but not really noticeable and the power delivery is very nice for a beginner
Click to expand...

For sure, the CBR500R looks epic in my opinion - 10/10.

The issue is my wife is a bit intimidated by a 500cc bike since she's only ridden 250r and Grom.
 
mrzuzzo said:
5) Ducati Scrambler Sixty2[/B]: It's almost as heavy as the OG Scrambler so if you're looking at the Sixty2, you might as well just get the normal Scrambler. And if you're looking at the normal Scrambler, you might as well just get a better motorcycle altogether.
Click to expand...

LOL, that's pretty much it.

The 500cc is a little arbitrary, isn't it? A lot of good reliable standard bikes with ABS in the 650cc range. I'd consider a Ninja 650. If that's Just Too Much, used Ninja 300. :p It doesn't carry its weight terribly well, but not terribly badly, either. It's a cheap parallel twin that works.
 
sub'd, im considering the same bikes.

ktm really has peaked my interest. i, too, am concerned about reliability. but there seems to be a number of 390 owners, maybe they will chime in and give their feedback.

also the used market seems to be just a few bikes away from being flooded with rc390s. new ads have been showing up weekly and prices seem to be coming down significantly.
 
all the kids racing MotoAmerica KTM RC Cup know that the headgasket has a very short lifespan under race conditions. the kids that also club race w/ their bikes, esp the heavier ones, are getting engines rebuilt 2-4x a year due to failures. its apparently also very difficult to install correctly. so for them, having one fail right after a replacement happens more than ud expect.
 
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Despite its shortcomings, the Ninja 300 seems to be the most fitting for what you're looking for; in my experience, a v-twin is much more refined than a single-cylinder, so I don't think the Honda 300cc's are a good option, and the KTM has a more expensive sticker price as well as higher maintenance costs.

Not sure what you have against non-ABS bikes though. I understand its benefits, but I wouldn't completely reject a bike solely because it doesn't have ABS, which is why I got the R3 over the Ninja 300 (my 2nd choice).
 
felixthecat said:
Not sure what you have against non-ABS bikes though. I understand its benefits, but I wouldn't completely reject a bike solely because it doesn't have ABS, which is why I got the R3 over the Ninja 300 (my 2nd choice).
Click to expand...

I've been riding ABS-only bikes (except for the Grom, where it really is not needed) for the past 5 years now and it has saved me a few times. IMO, it's a great safeguard to have and I wouldn't want my wife riding without it.
 
Ninja 300 easily
 
mrzuzzo said:
For sure, the CBR500R looks epic in my opinion - 10/10.

The issue is my wife is a bit intimidated by a 500cc bike since she's only ridden 250r and Grom.
Click to expand...

I added a comment after but my wife really hadn't ridden anything since MSF many, many years ago. Rented that CB500F and had no issues riding it around, wouldn't want some thing smaller. She's not tall either. Power delivery is very mellow but nice for freeway and getting going around town. FWIW she was looking at the Ninja 300 and was set on getting that before actually riding the 500. Can always rent the 500 from Eagle Rider in SSF, see how she feels.
 
I recently picked up a CB500f as a replacement for my pregen Ninja 250 (that OP's wife learned to ride on!). I've been meaning to do a full write-up on it for a while, but bottom line is: very practical, not exciting. It's faster than the 250 (obvs), but it doesn't feel like it. It is not a rev-happy bike, and I find myself riding it more like an econobox (6th gear by the time I hit 40mph) than a sportbike. It just doesn't want to go fast. Contrast that to the lil' Ninja that BEGGED to be flogged and revved to the moon leaving every stoplight. It loved to (pretend to) go fast. The CB goes, "Meh. Why rush?" I'd imagine the 300 is going to be pretty much the same, only with less power.

If she's looking at getting a bike for fun, I'd definitely take the Ninja 300, R3, or (depending on your appetite for maintenance) the RC390 over any of the CB Hondas. As an everyday, practical, comfortable, boring commuter, the CB (at least the 500) is perfect.
 
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