About Kawasaki Ninja 400 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300 vs KTM RC 390
The Kawasaki Ninja 400, an expensive compact sport bike that was withdrawn in our market two years ago, comes back in its BS6 version. Meanwhile, the Kawasaki Ninja 300 has simply been upgraded to include dual-channel ABS and pass stricter emission standards, and otherwise remains unchanged. Meanwhile, the freshly updated KTM RC 390 has remained a popular pick in our market and is the closest competitor to Kawasaki’s Ninja duo.
Let’s combine them and understand their features in this blog post.
Engine & Output – Ninja 400 vs Ninja 300 vs RC 390
As we can see, there is a significant difference in how these engines generate power. The Kawasaki’s parallel twins are similar to four-cylinder engines in that its performance is kept for those prepared to explore the complete rev range. Meanwhile, the KTM has a single-cylinder engine with a powerful mid-range but a lower redline than the Kwackers. One thing they all have in common is 6-speed transmissions with slip-and-assist clutches.
| Ninja 400 | Ninja 300 | RC 390 | |
| Power | 45 hp @ 10,000 rpm | 39 hp @ 10,000 rpm | 43.5 hp @ 10,000 rpm |
| Engine | Liquid-cooled, 399cc parallel-twin engine | Liquid-cooled, 296cc parallel-twin engine | Liquid-cooled, 373cc parallel-twin engine |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | 6-speed |
| Torque | 37 Nm @ 9,000 rpm | 27.1 Nm @ 10,000 rpm | 37 Nm @ 7,000 rpm |
Tyres, Suspension & Brakes – Ninja 400 vs Ninja 300 vs RC 390
In this area, the KTM has a significant advantage over its Japanese competitors due to superior hardware. It not only has a more advanced suspension in the form of an upside-down fork, but its mono-shock is also adaptable for rebound and preload. Preload-adjustable mono-shocks and telescopic forks are standard on both Kawasakis.
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All of the bikes featured have dual-channel ABS, but the KTM outperforms the Kawasakis by including cornering ABS and supermoto ABS (the ability to switch off the rear ABS).
| Ninja 400 | Ninja 300 | RC 390 | |
| Tyres (f) | 110/70-R17 | 110/70-R17 | 110/70-R17 |
| Tyres (r) | 150/60-R17 | 140/70-R17 | 150/60-R17 |
| Suspension (f) | 37 mm telescopic fork | 37 mm telescopic fork | 43 mm upside-down fork |
| Suspension (r) | Preload adjustable monoshock | Preload adjustable monoshock | Preload & rebound adjustable monoshock |
| Brakes (f) | 310 mm disc (dual-channel ABS) | 290 mm disc (dual-channel ABS) | 320 mm disc (dual-channel ABS) |
| Brakes (r) | 193 mm disc | 220 mm disc | 230 mm disc |
Dimensions & Weight – Ninja 400 vs Ninja 300 vs RC 390
When the coverings were first removed from the BS3 version of the RC 390 in 2014, it weighed only 164kg. Fast forward eight years and the RC 390 now weighs roughly 8kg heavier, at 172kg.
The lightest bike here is the 168kg Kawasaki Ninja 400, while the heaviest is the 179kg Ninja 300. The Ninja 400 also boasts a seat height that is 50mm lower than the KTM, making it a better choice for people who are vertically challenged. Ground clearance suffers as a result of the accessible seat height. The Ninja has little more than 140mm of ground clearance, which could make it difficult to ride two-up on our hilly speed breakers.
The Ninja 300, in its current form, weighs 7kg more than its Orange counterpart and roughly 11kg more than its bigger stablemate. The main advantage here is the lowest seating height of 780mm.
| Ninja 400 | Ninja 300 | RC 390 | |
| Fuel Capacity | 14 litres | 17 litres | 13.7 litres |
| Seat height | 785 mm | 780 mm | 835 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 140 mm | 140 mm | 153 mm |
| Kerb weight | 168 kg | 179 kg | 172 kg |
| Wheelbase | 1370 mm | 1405 mm | 1347 mm |
Other Features – Ninja 400 vs Ninja 300 vs RC 390
The RC 390 features the same colour TFT screen as the other 390 models from KTM. The KTM’s electrical arsenal features a traction control system that is switchable and an up-and-down quick-shifter. Adjustable clip-ons allow you to customize your comfort as you see fit on the RC.
Aside from their dual-channel ABS systems, the Ninjas have no electronic aids. The Kwackers’ instrument consoles, while different on both versions are extremely old-fashioned in design, with an analogue tachometer linked to a small LCD screen. Another notable absence on both Kawasakis here is adjustable levers.
Price – Ninja 400 vs Ninja 300 vs RC 390
Perhaps the most noticeable drawback of the Ninja 400’s armour is the outrageous price it costs. The pricing difference is highlighted even more by the fact that the KTM RC 390 has better componentry, a variety of technological aids that would bring a few larger-capacity motorcycles to shame, and a price tag that is Rs 1.85 lakh less than the Kawasaki Ninja 400. It would have been amazing to see Kawasaki adapt the Ninja 400 for our market (as the company did with the 300) and completely replace the old 300, but that has yet to come.
| Ninja 400 | Ninja 300 | RC 390 | |
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | ₹ 4.99 lakh | ₹ 3.37 lakh | ₹ 3.14 lakh |
The obviously superior Ninja 300 costs Rs 20,000 more than the KTM. However, for those looking for the pleasures of a sleek, high-revving twin-cylinder engine, the fully obsolete Ninja 300 remains the most inexpensive option on the market, which is why it is still Kawasaki’s best seller. As a result, when it comes to absolute value for money, the new KTM RC390 remains unrivalled in this comparison.
For more such interesting comparison blog posts, stay tuned to AutoJankari.
