REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - Finally(!)

Sunfighter · 11-15-2014, 09:50 PM

I get it, I get it ... plenty of people have started on 600CC bikes and not immediately dropped them in a corner at 150km/h. But that said, any wise rider would probably agree that in an ideal situation all new riders would start on 250cc/300cc bikes to develop their skills as they slowly push the lighter, more agile bikes further and further.

How many times have you known somebody or seen somebody come onto a forum asking for advice about which bike to start on ... only for everybody to suggest a 250cc/300cc Ninja and the OP to try to explain why it's wise for them to start on a 600cc sportbike ("I'll grow into it ...," "I don't want to have to sell the little bike when I outgrow it...").

The reality, unfortunate as it is, is that these exact individuals are getting into bikes to achieve a certain image and that image isn't possible without a 600cc or 1000cc sportbike, hence their refusal to "start small."

Honda's latest 300cc CBR and Kawasaki's (finally fuel-injected) 300cc Ninja are some fresh, extremely stylish entry-level sportbikes. Both are a considerable improvement on what these OEMs were offering 5 - 10 years ago. With the YZF-R3, Yamaha has also begun produced an enticing 321cc entry-level sportbike. At first glance, these bikes look very similar to their big brothers and for 99% of the population they could look identical.

But now for something VERY exciting : KTM's 300cc double-whammy ...

KTM RC390

This bike has received HEAVY media attention since it's unveiling. But now it has a PRICE ... $5499.99 US - based on it's race-bread credentials and incredibly hot appearance, this is a 300cc bike I would be MORE than happy to ride every day.

Given the uniquely exposed frame, the sculpted swing-arm, ByBre brakes

KTM 390 Duke

The 390 Duke, coming in at $4999.99 US, is a hotter bargain and looks to cash-in on the success of its big brothers, the 690 Duke and 1290 Super Duke R. This is an adorably hot naked.

===========================

Kawasaki Ninja 300 $5299.99, 39hp, 379lbs wet
KTM RC390 $5499.99, 44hp, 340lbs wet
Honda CBR300R $4899.99, 30.4hp, 357lbs wet
Yamaha R3 $4,990, 42hp, 368lbs dry

I appreciate and respect the Japanese offerings in this class but the RC390 has a TON of soul and KTM has done a fantastic job of build a race-tested heritage into a bike that hasn't even gone on sale yet.

Great article from Sport Rider.

11-15-2014, 09:50 PM	#1
Sunfighter 2-Wheelin' Mod Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Burnaby Posts: 3,404 Thanked 994 Times in 425 Posts Failed 4 Times in 2 Posts Member's Picture Albums	Finally(!) - Desirable "Starter Bikes" (KTM) I get it, I get it ... plenty of people have started on 600CC bikes and not immediately dropped them in a corner at 150km/h. But that said, any wise rider would probably agree that in an ideal situation all new riders would start on 250cc/300cc bikes to develop their skills as they slowly push the lighter, more agile bikes further and further. How many times have you known somebody or seen somebody come onto a forum asking for advice about which bike to start on ... only for everybody to suggest a 250cc/300cc Ninja and the OP to try to explain why it's wise for them to start on a 600cc sportbike ("I'll grow into it ...," "I don't want to have to sell the little bike when I outgrow it..."). The reality, unfortunate as it is, is that these exact individuals are getting into bikes to achieve a certain image and that image isn't possible without a 600cc or 1000cc sportbike, hence their refusal to "start small." Honda's latest 300cc CBR and Kawasaki's (finally fuel-injected) 300cc Ninja are some fresh, extremely stylish entry-level sportbikes. Both are a considerable improvement on what these OEMs were offering 5 - 10 years ago. With the YZF-R3, Yamaha has also begun produced an enticing 321cc entry-level sportbike. At first glance, these bikes look very similar to their big brothers and for 99% of the population they could look identical. But now for something VERY exciting : KTM's 300cc double-whammy ... KTM RC390 This bike has received HEAVY media attention since it's unveiling. But now it has a PRICE ... $5499.99 US - based on it's race-bread credentials and incredibly hot appearance, this is a 300cc bike I would be MORE than happy to ride every day. Given the uniquely exposed frame, the sculpted swing-arm, ByBre brakes KTM 390 Duke The 390 Duke, coming in at $4999.99 US, is a hotter bargain and looks to cash-in on the success of its big brothers, the 690 Duke and 1290 Super Duke R. This is an adorably hot naked. =========================== Kawasaki Ninja 300 $5299.99, 39hp, 379lbs wet KTM RC390 $5499.99, 44hp, 340lbs wet Honda CBR300R $4899.99, 30.4hp, 357lbs wet Yamaha R3 $4,990, 42hp, 368lbs dry I appreciate and respect the Japanese offerings in this class but the RC390 has a TON of soul and KTM has done a fantastic job of build a race-tested heritage into a bike that hasn't even gone on sale yet. Great article from Sport Rider. __________________ ROOGP Long Live the King : RIP John (Gwilo)