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Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC 390 in comparison test

Not just for beginners

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is already very popular. It is now facing competition from the KTM RC 390. Low weight and sufficient power promise unadulterated driving pleasure – not just for beginners.

If you want to amaze your buddies at the regulars’ table, you should simply ask them which KTM is probably the best-selling this year. No, it is neither the Adventure nor the Super Duke R. The KTM 390 Duke barely tops the hit list, but at least it tops the charts. With the sporty appearance, it made sense to build a street sports offshoot with the famous 390 single-cylinder. Especially since the little runners are slowly but surely enjoying increasing popularity. So it went Kawasaki Ninja 300 so far twice as often over the counter as the ZX-10R and ZX-6R combined. Bright spots in the starving super sports segment. So what can the entry-level racers do??

Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC 390 in comparison test

Not just for beginners

Ninja 300 is like the face of its big sister, the ZX-6R. The angular KTM RC 390 comes with grim-looking headlights and is optically self-confidently based on its big sister RC8 R with its orange tubular frame. It’s a matter of honor that both are suitable for beginners with an A2 driver’s license. The Kawasaki, for this story from the Filderstadt dealer Limbacher & Limbacher provided, starts with a revving twin, which fires its nominal 39 hp at 11,000 rpm. One cylinder less, but 77 cm³ and 5 hp more, throws the KTM into the balance. As in the Duke, its single cylinder delivers 44 hp at 9500 rpm. While the Kawasaki starts working without any problems, the starter of the KTM RC 390 has to turn the organ for a few seconds before the single crashes into life.

Kawasaki Ninja 300-Twin loves speed

The clutch on the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is easy to pull and first gear gently engages. Right from the start, the twin flatters the driver with its fine running culture. It does not pull out trees below 5000 rpm, but it purrs obediently, runs smoothly from 2000 rpm and hangs cleanly on the gas. As soon as the pointer of the analog rev counter has passed five, the counter-rotor comes to life and turns into the five-digit range without complaint. Its march through the rev range is largely free of annoying vibrations and without being indecently loud. In higher registers, its sonorous sound only gets a snotty, cheeky, pithy note. At 11,000 rpm, a full 40 hp are on hand.

Push in the next gear and go on. The twin of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 loves revs, no question about it, but thanks to its fine running smoothness and the wide, usable rev range, it can also purr very relaxed across the country. The shift work is a pleasure with the smooth clutch and buttery gear changes.

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KTM RC 390 as light as a feather and jagged

Nevertheless, the driver of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 has to give it a try if he wants to follow the KTM RC 390. Your single cylinder grabs with a stronger handshake when starting off and pushes forward with vigor. You can feel the higher torque from the first meter. The single cylinder too, however. With a robust punch, he announces his single existence and happily shoots out of the underfloor exhaust. The KTM reacts a little more directly to gas commands than the Kawa, but takes it a bit harder. The stew is a hearty fellow, vibrations are of course there, but never take on a disruptive level. However, the speed should not fall below 3000 rpm, otherwise he protests with rattling concentricity. At 5000 rpm, the vibrations and a little vigor ebb away. Nevertheless, it delivers more power than the Kawa-Twin over the entire speed range. And from this mark on there is real tinder, the single hammers away with verve. His revving peaks in a remarkable 46 hp at 9000 rpm. This corresponds to a liter output of a good 123 hp. For an approved single cylinder the hammer. Shortly before the red area, the shift light flickering in the cockpit calls for the next gear in the crisp six-speed gearbox, whoever continues to turn is caught shortly afterwards by the hard limiter.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 has a hard time following on winding little roads, no matter how hard it is squeezed. The KTM RC 390 of course benefits from its significantly shorter gear ratio. At around 170 km / h it runs into the limiter. At this speed, the Kawa performance and driving resistance are also in balance. But there is still a good 600 revolutions of air left to the red area. But it’s not just because of the engine that it has to stretch a lot to keep up. If the Kawa is wonderfully handy, the KTM goes a step further. How light as a feather and jagged, almost weightlessly, it can be bent is a stunner.

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Fully fueled KTM 164 kilos, stately 177 for the Ninja 300

The chassis geometry of the KTM RC 390, with a steep steering head angle (66.5 degrees), short wheelbase (1340 mm) and ultra-short caster (88 mm), is significantly faster than that of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 with a moderate 63 degrees, 93 mm caster and a full six and a half centimeters longer wheelbase (1405 mm). Your pilot sits relaxed, lower, in the middle of the vehicle. This arrangement may even be a bit too compact for tall people.

In addition, the green in the knee area is significantly wider than the wonderfully narrow KTM. The pilot sits higher, more oriented towards the front wheel, bent lower. And this is exactly how the KTM RC 390 sticks into the corners: greedy, precise, almost thirsty for deep lean angles. The handling of the Kawasaki Ninja 300, on the other hand, is less agitated, more forgiving, but also not with this crisp precision. While the KTM statically rests 54 percent of the weight on the front wheel, the Kawa is just under 49. With the rider, the Kawasaki becomes significantly more rear-heavy, while the weight distribution of the KTM is practically balanced at almost 50/50 . Speaking of weight: the scales show a slim 164 kilos for the fully fueled KTM, stately 177 for the Kawa.

The rear-heavy Kawasaki remains rock solid

But back to cornering. There, the shock absorber of the Kawasaki Ninja 300, which is overdamped in the rebound stage, hails the tight line at the exit of the curve, on which the KTM RC 390 dashes provocatively and precisely out of the curve. The suspension comfort of the Kawasaki shock absorber – although it has a deflector – is quite manageable. In return, its simple telescopic fork is responsive and conscientiously takes care of both small and coarse bumps, and it is sufficiently tight.

The upside-down fork of the KTM RC 390 is not quite as sensitive, but it is also sufficiently tight. The directly hinged shock absorber of the RC 390 with its unusually long 150 mm suspension travel is, on the other hand, extremely softly cushioned and lets the KTM teeter through fast, undulating curves without the orange looking wobbly, unstable or nervous. In addition, the Metzeler Sportec Interact M5 are a safe bet when sharpening bends, as they offer more reserves in terms of feedback and grip, especially in the wet, than the IRC Road Winners with which the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is soled.

ABS brakes and consumption

In tricky situations, both pilots can rely on ABS support when they apply the brakes. The radial pliers on the front wheel of the KTM RC 390 grips spontaneously and can be easily dosed, but then requires firm grip in order to slow down heavily. The Kawasaki Ninja 300 has a long free travel on the hand lever that hardly allows two-finger braking. Once this has been overcome, the two-piston floating caliper grips very firmly. Both deliver a decent delay. The Kawasaki comes to a stop from 100 km / h after 42 meters and thus even two meters in front of the KTM, despite the much coarser ABS regulation. The KTM’s anti-lock device regulates much more precisely and quickly. But when compressed, it becomes restless faster, does a front wheel dance on the last few meters, the downside of the sporty design with a short wheelbase and a lot of front wheel load. The longer, more rear-heavy Kawasaki, on the other hand, remains rock solid and on the ground and thanks to the slipper clutch, it stays on track. No more corner robbers. The KTM reports low tide in the tank and reminds you to go to the pump. There is almost a tie there. The KTM 3.2 liters is tame, the Ninja just a tenth more. What can become 4.7 (KTM) or 5.3 liters (Kawasaki) when doing research.

Simple but functional versus cheeky and unconventional

While the fuel gurgles into the tanks, there is some time to take a closer look at the two of them. The Kawasaki Ninja 300 looks pleasing, its sports sisters cut the face, really grown up. The KTM RC 390, on the other hand, is bold and crisp, unconventional, and not just because of the angular design. Stable upside-down fork, radial brake, underfloor exhaust and cast aluminum swing arm in half-timbered look with beautiful chain tensioners, that makes a difference. The tubular space frame anyway.

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 with telescopic fork and steel swing arm, on the other hand, is comparatively objective, simple but functional. Like the cockpit with an analog tachometer, but otherwise stingy with information. Not even at temperature display is on board. And you will look in vain for things like on-board computers or even gearshift lights like the KTM. On the other hand, your LCD tachometer can only be read moderately. A smart detail of the KTM RC 390: the solo hump is the pillion seat because it is made of foam, not hard plastic.

The tanks are full, the KTM tank holds a measly ten liters, which at least gives it a range of 313 kilometers. The Ninja 300, on the other hand, shines with touring-friendly 17 liters and a huge 515 km radius of action, plus it offers slightly better light and more visibility in the rear-view mirrors and thus keeps an eye on everyday life a little more than the KTM, which shines as a lively arsonist and fun maker plays.

Data and measured values

engine

  Kawasaki
Ninja 300		 KTM
RC 390
type design Two-cylinder four-stroke-    
In-line engine 		 Single cylinder four-stroke engine
injection 2 x Ø 32 mm 1 x Ø 46 mm
coupling Multi-disc oil bath-
clutch (anti-hopping)		 Multi-panes-
Oil bath clutch
Boron x stroke     62.0 x 49.0 mm 89.0 x 60.0 mm
Displacement 296 cc 373 cc
compression 10.6: 1 12.5: 1
power 29.0 kW (39 hp)
at 11,000 rpm		 32.0 kW (44 PS)
at 9500 rpm
Torque 27 Nm at 10,000 rpm 35 Nm at 7250 rpm

landing gear

  Kawasaki Ninja 300 KTM RC 390
frame Bridge frame made of steel     Steel tubular frame
fork Telescopic fork,
Ø 37 mm		 Upside-down fork,
Ø 43 mm
Brakes front / rear    Ø 290/220 mm Ø 300/230 mm
Systems assistance SECTION SECTION
bikes 2.75 x 17; 4.00 x 17 3.00 x 17; 4.00 x 17
tires 110/70 ZR 17; 140/70 ZR 17     110/70 ZR 17; 150/60 ZR 17
Tires IRC Road Winner RX 01 Metzeler Sportec M5
Interact

Dimensions + weight

  Kawasaki Ninja 300     KTM RC 390
wheelbase 1405 mm 1340 mm
Steering head angle 63.0 degrees 66.5 degrees
trailing 93 mm 88 mm
Front / rear suspension travel     120/130 mm 125/150 mm
Seat height¹ 770 mm 820 mm
Weight with a full tank¹ 177 kg 164 kg
Payload¹ 177 kg 171 kg
Tank capacity / reserve 17.0 / – liters 10.0 / 1.5 liters
Service intervals 6000 km 5000 km
price 5595 euros 5595 euros
Additional costs 180 euros 200 euros

MOTORCYCLE readings

Kawasaki Ninja 300      KTM RC 390
Top speed 170 (170 *) km / h 172 (160 *) km / h
acceleration
0-100 km / h 6.1 sec 5.5 sec
0-140 km / h 13.8 sec 11.4 sec
Draft
60-100 km / h 7.7 sec 7.3 sec
100-140 km / h 9.7 sec 7.4 sec
Consumption country road / 100 km     3.3 liters 3.2 liters
Reach country road 515 km 313 km

* Manufacturer information; ¹MOTORWHEEL measurements

Performance measurement

jkuenstle.de

Power on the crankshaft. Measurements on the Dynojet roller test stand 250, corrected according to 95/1 / EC, maximum possible deviation ± 5%.

The KTM single surpasses the Kawasaki two-cylinder in practically every speed range. The single already offers below
around a lot of torque and really comes to life from 5000 rpm. The twin also loves high speeds, but can also be moved just over 2000 rpm. Both engines reach their maximum output well before the red zone and thus offer plenty of over-rev reserves.

MOTORCYCLE scoring

engine

  Maximum
score    		Kawasaki Ninja 300     KTM RC 390
Draft 40 5 8th
acceleration 40 5 8th
Top speed 30th 7th 7 *
Engine characteristics    30th 13 15th
Responsiveness 20th 12th 13
Load change 20th 12th 11
Smoothness 20th 13 10
coupling 10 8th 8th
circuit 20th 13 12th
Gear ratio 10 8th 9
Start 10 8th 7th
total 250 104 108

The Kawa-Twin runs extremely cultivated, has a wide usable speed range in addition to a smooth transmission. In addition, it starts more spontaneously and offers a smooth-running anti-hopping clutch. But he only plays second fiddle to the robust, much stronger and easy-turning KTM single.

Winner engine: KTM RC 390

landing gear

  maximum number of points    Kawasaki Ninja 300    KTM RC 390
Handiness 40 35 37
Stability in turns 40 23 25th
Steering behavior 40 25th 28
feedback 10 7th 8th
Inclined position 20th 15th 17th
Straight-line stability 20th 18th 18th
Suspension tuning in front 20th 11 11
Chassis set-up at the rear 20th 9 11
Adjustment options undercarriage     10 1 1
Suspension comfort 10 5 6th
Driving behavior with a passenger 20th 9 10
total 250 158 172

A clear thing for the KTM RC 390. It is more agile, more direct and more precise. Even if it is very soft at the back. The overdamped shock absorber of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is reflected in the steering precision and the suspension comfort. But their clean, attractive telescopic fork is pleasing. Both get along well with a passenger.

Chassis winner: KTM RC 390

everyday life

  maximum number of points     Kawasaki Ninja 300     KTM RC 390
Ergonomics driver 40 22nd 24
Ergonomics pillion 20th 4th 5
Windbreak 20th 4th 4th
view 20th 9 8th
light 20th 14th 14th
Furnishing 30th 7th 12th
Handling / maintenance     30th 20th 20th
Luggage storage 10 2 1
Payload 10 3 3
Tidy 30th 30th 18th
processing 20th 11 12th
total 250 126 121

If you like it sporty, even tall people will find a comfortable place on the KTM RC 390. The cockpit provides extensive information on this. The Kawasaki shows more traffic and fewer driver arms in the rear-view mirrors, scores above all with its colossal range.

Everyday Winner: Kawasaki Ninja 300

security

  maximum number of points    Kawasaki Ninja 300    KTM RC 390
Braking effect 40 22nd 20th
Brake metering 30th 20th 21st
Braking with a passenger / fading 20th 11 10
Righting moment when braking    10 9 9
ABS function 20th 11 12th
Handlebar slapping 20th 20th 20th
Ground clearance 10 8th 7th
total 150 101 99

Both shine with a decent delay. With slight advantages for the ninja, whose brake loses points in terms of controllability due to the long free travel on the lever.

Safety winner: Kawasaki Ninja 300

costs

  maximum number of points    Kawasaki Ninja 300    KTM RC 390
guarantee 30th 15th 17th
Consumption (country road)     30th 28 28
Inspection costs 20th 12th 9
Maintenance costs 20th 18th 18th
total 100 73 72

Stalemate in consumption and maintenance costs. 6000 intervals (KTM: 5000) and shorter guide times at Kawa.

Winner Cost: Kawasaki Ninja 300


 maximum number of points   
Kawasaki Ninja 300   
KTM RC 390
Overall rating
 1000 562 572
placement 2. 1.
Price-performance note 1.0 1.7 1.6

Price-performance winner: KTM RC 390
With practically the same price, this rating is just about the sportier KTM RC 390.

MOTORCYCLE test results

1. KTM RC 390
More maneuverable chassis, powerful, lively and economical engine, many nice details. In addition, at the same price level as the Kawasaki. These are the ingredients thanks to which the KTM wins.

2. Kawasaki Ninja 300
Engine revs easily and cultivated, handling and seating position relaxed and relaxed, huge range, low inspection costs. These are the kawasaki’s trump cards. But the shock absorber and low pulling power cost points.

Used Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC390 in Germany

1000PS marketplace app

Used KTMs are much more common on the used market.

The KTM RC 390 not only wins the comparison but also wins the used market. It quickly becomes clear that the Ninja 300 is nowhere near as popular as the super sports car from Mattighofen, if you look at the number of used Kawas. You can find the price differences here: used Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC 390 in Germany.

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