Ninja 400 vs KTM RC 390

31422 Views 58 Replies 26 Participants Last post by SlimJim, Jan 29, 2021

Phaze

Discussion Starter · Apr 10, 2018

Just came across an article that claims the KTM RC 390 was the best bike in the segment, in terms of performance. They seem to think that at least on paper that the KTM bike is of better value for the money, as its cheaper than the 400. Anyone here owned a KTM bike before that can speak to the brands merits? Ninja 400 vs KTM RC 390

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xorbe

· #2 · Apr 10, 2018

Remember, the KTM is about half the price of the Ninja in India, apparently. So that would throw a spanner in the works for a lot of buyers there, I suppose.

smallbored

· #3 · Apr 10, 2018

I bought the first one our local KTM dealer got in when they first came out. Original plan was to possibly replace the Ninja 300 I'd been tracking with the 390.....a bit more power, etc. My 300 had all the after market bells / whistles...suspension, controls, micro tuner, tires, exhaust system...so it was about as good a 300 gets without motor modifications.

The 390 was immediately unimpressive from ride # 1....in fact, if I'd been able to test ride one prior, I would not have bought one.

Ran the 390 in stock condition at a track day for a comparison to the 300. Decided that I would have to pour to much $ into it to perhaps get a somewhat better package than my 300. Promptly sold it on Craigslist at a major discount, and continued tracking the 300.

That just my personal opinion...I'm sure there are many riders who would not agree me. It may also have been that the years I spent tracking the Ninja 250 and 300 made me too used to those machines particular characteristics. Anyway my 2cents for what is worth.

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Reactions: 3

Kiwi Rider

· #4 · Apr 10, 2018

This is typical Indian website BS. Someone sits down and makes up a story from looking at spec sheets.
I'm not defending the N400 just slamming crappy internet articles packed full of advertising.
Personally I wouldn't bother posting this rubbish but it's a free world.

Reactions: 2

Wheelinthai

· #5 · Apr 11, 2018

The KTM RC 390 would have been a great bike, if it was built in Austraia. The specs look good, and reviewers are raving it. Regretfully, I hear plenty of disatisfied owners complaining about reliability. Those imported into Thailand are now built in Malaysia. I hope the built quality and QC are improved. Admittedly, I've not yet ridden one.

Reactions: 1

Kiwi Rider

· #6 · Apr 11, 2018

Wheelinthai said:
The KTM RC 390 would have been a great bike, if it was built in Austraia. The specs look good, and reviewers are raving it. Regretfully, I hear plenty of disatisfied owners complaining about reliability. Those imported into Thailand are now built in Malaysia. I hope the built quality and QC are improved. Admittedly, I've not yet ridden one.

The 390 Duke got the engine and suspension upgrade/tweaking in 2017 but for some odd reason the RC didnt. The Duke was my second choice to the N400. Unfortunately a Demo model was not available in my province so, like yourself, have not ridden one. I sat on one and it feels like it would be a hoot to ride with that aggressive riding position.

Topaz

· #7 · Apr 11, 2018

I would have gone with the RC when I got my N300, but I didn't because of reliability issues, bad customer service and lack of warranty honor from KTM USA. All that from what I read on line of course. I never got the bike.

At the time, in their forum they had a looong thread about all kind of issues with the bike, and many people were ranting and venting their frustration there. To the point that some users created another thread for those who were happy with the bike. It was funny to see. However, the happy thread was much shorter than the sad one.
When it runs, every owner seem to be so happy with the bike, though.

Now I'm looking into the N400 and of course the RC keeps coming into my mind, but it looks like the quality building of the RC didn't improve much in these years.
On the papers, they are very similar bikes. I guess in the end, the deciding factors would be reliability, look, and brand loyalty.

Reactions: 2

Topaz

· #8 · Apr 11, 2018

Kiwi Rider said:
This is typical Indian website BS. Someone sits down and makes up a story from looking at spec sheets.
I'm not defending the N400 just slamming crappy internet articles packed full of advertising.
Personally I wouldn't bother posting this rubbish but it's a free world.

+1
Now a days, before reading you have to check who is writing it. Tons of fake news, people trying to make things look better or worse according to their interests, or just people who don't know what they're talking about.

Reactions: 2

NinjaRyder

· #9 · Apr 11, 2018

Topaz said:
+1
Now a days, before reading you have to check who is writing it. Tons of fake news, people trying to make things look better or worse according to their interests, or just people who don't know what they're talking about.

An informed consumer is always the best, its like when you have a friend that owned products from the same brand for many years, odds are what they have to say is representative of what you will experience.

emudshit

· #10 · Apr 11, 2018

am I the only one that doesn't like the 390? feels sporty yes, but why would u get a low cc bike to feel sporty? plus the one i rode had had the throttle tube slip on the grip and it was brand new, I like reliability and I think people that dont put it first have never had a problem in the past, wait until you do and then for certain you will always put reliability first lol. though I do admit the 400 actually would feelmuch better with some lower clip ons, its a very awkward position imo, should be a blend between the 300 and the 390 and it would be great. but yeh I just dont like any machinery coming from india

Reactions: 1

Rider2112

· #11 · Apr 11, 2018

I looked pretty closely at the 390 (both RC and Duke), and honestly had I made a purchase last year I very likely would have gone that route.

A local buddy had an RC and got a lot out of it at the track. I do still like the narrow feel of those bikes, reminded me a lot of the Ducati superbike feel being so narrow between the legs (still miss my 749).

Then the N400 came out and just ticked more of the right boxes for me. Performance, reliability (hopefully), good balance of street ride-ability and will still be plenty of fun on track days, slipper clutch, etc..

I'm very satisfied with the choice and am glad this bike was released before I pulled the trigger.

Couldn't agree more on those BS spec comparison articles. YouTube videos as well, labeled as reviews / comparisons that show nothing more than spec sheets and stock or dealership photos. Ugh... Nothing more than revenue generators.

emudshit

· #12 · Apr 11, 2018

Rider2112 said:
I looked pretty closely at the 390 (both RC and Duke), and honestly had I made a purchase last year I very likely would have gone that route.

A local buddy had an RC and got a lot out of it at the track. I do still like the narrow feel of those bikes, reminded me a lot of the Ducati superbike feel being so narrow between the legs (still miss my 749).

Then the N400 came out and just ticked more of the right boxes for me. Performance, reliability (hopefully), good balance of street ride-ability and will still be plenty of fun on track days, slipper clutch, etc..

I'm very satisfied with the choice and am glad this bike was released before I pulled the trigger.

Couldn't agree more on those BS spec comparison articles. YouTube videos as well, labeled as reviews / comparisons that show nothing more than spec sheets and stock or dealership photos. Ugh... Nothing more than revenue generators.

this^ those spec sheets are why people are still buying the cbr 500 thinking it would smoke the 400 ect :/ plus Im over heavy bikes, getting rid of my sv1000 as soon as I replace the chain.

Topaz

· #13 · Apr 11, 2018

emudshit said:
...though I do admit the 400 actually would feel much better with some lower clip ons, its a very awkward position imo, ...

Yeah, those handlebars look so high.
Makers should indicate on the specs the geometry of the triangle given by the seat, foot pegs and grips.
Bicycle makers do it. It's very important information.

Kiwi Rider

· #14 · Apr 11, 2018

Rider2112 said:
... A local buddy had an RC and got a lot out of it at the track.

Couldn't agree more on those BS spec comparison articles. YouTube videos as well, labeled as reviews / comparisons that show nothing more than spec sheets and stock or dealership photos. Ugh... Nothing more than revenue generators.

Just curious, did your buddy have any reliability issues? I was trying to get to the bottom of this when I was in the deciding phase but I really only had the internet as a resource guide, which as we know is not always accurate! But there was enough there to scare me off the KTM.

When I was trying to find early reviews of the N400 before they hit the US and Australasia etc those BS comparisons written by a spotty 19 yr old in Asia drove me nuts, hence my previous rant.
I've still got my councillors number in my contacts if it gets too much tho

Rider2112

· #15 · Apr 11, 2018

He had absolutely no issues, unless you count the time when he got a little past his capabilities and put her down once at a track day.

Bike came through it well (just cosmetics, levers and such), ankle took a bit longer to recover.

He rode it hard, put it away wet, and had no mechanical problems. That said, its a sample set of 1. :wink:

Kiwi Rider said:
Just curious, did your buddy have any reliability issues? I was trying to get to the bottom of this when I was in the deciding phase but I really only had the internet as a resource guide, which as we know is not always accurate! But there was enough there to scare me off the KTM.

When I was trying to find early reviews of the N400 before they hit the US and Australasia etc those BS comparisons written by a spotty 19 yr old in Asia drove me nuts, hence my previous rant.
I've still got my councillors number in my contacts if it gets too much tho

Reactions: 1

Apis

· #16 · Apr 11, 2018

Accordingly, the 2017 and onwards RC's were updated here and there, mainly due to major - major - reliability issues (valve/cylinder clearances, blown head gaskets, electrical issues, stalling and overheating).

After reading, watching, testing and inquiring for two months (more or less every day), my personal conclusion is that nothing has changed on the 2017's in terms of reliability issues. Sure, it has the 320 mm rotor, slipper clutch, different exhaust and hence better clearance for track, but honestly in my mind it's not in the same league as the N400 (although the gearbox on the N400 seems to have some bugs here and there, remains to be seen).

A triple clamp and climp-ons and the ride is similar if not better on the N400 for track work. Ones saves money and time purchasing the N400. Just my two cents.

Kiwi Rider

· #17 · May 16, 2018

Posted purely for entertainment value. Looks to be in French and the third beep of the horn is the cue to nail it.
Gloves and jackets appear to optional extras.

Wheelinthai

· #18 · May 18, 2018

her is a review of Ninja 400 by renown motorcycle journalist Ari. Please click on Youtube, and read my conversation with Ari. I posted as Sportmuaythai. Ari races the RC 390.

Another showdown.

Kiwi Rider

· #19 · May 18, 2018

Wheelinthai said:
here is a review of Ninja 400 by renown motorcycle journalist Ari. Please click on Youtube, and read my conversation with Ari. I posted as Sportmuaythai. Ari races the RC 390.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqM1_p9Q6nM&t=63s

Another showdown.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycEE5JX95UI&t=10s

Thanks mate, we already have both these clips posted in other threads.
The M/C garage guys do good stuff though so nothing wrong with a re-run.

emudshit

· #20 · May 18, 2018

a clip of the 2nd broken down ktm 390 I have seen this month...

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