300cc Group Test: Yamaha YZF-R3 v Honda CBR300R v KTM RC390 v Kawasaki Ninja 300 I Bike Social

The sub-400cc junior supersports sector now has four main challengers for its throne - the Honda CBR300R, KTM RC390, Yamaha YZF-R3, and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. We put them through their paces on road and track to look at strengths and weaknesses, including economy and performance.

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LET’S CONNECT!

Action footage recorded on Drift Ghost-S and Stealth 2

[donchivazo]

From all the reviews I read about this motorcycles, if you want it for commuting and heavy traffic go with the Honda, (Best MPG around 70MPG) If you want to show off and freeway use (Less traffic more speed go with the Kawasaki) The Yamaha is kind of the same as the Ninja but more noticeable torque on starts, smaller gasoline tank. So if you care about beating someone at the lights go with the Yamaha. KTM is more powerful and feels more like a race track motorcycle but I heard it vibrates at high revs and it is not as comfortable as the other bikes. I'm trying to make my mind between the Yamaha and the Honda.

[stevenwright]

I got the 2015 Kawasaki ninja 300 abs model I love it I've had for 2 months and as long as u keep up with maintanence it will be good to you lol

[uhu]

You have to love the British and their love for motor sports :)

[TDdd]

I bring a different perspective to the discussion.  How do you like riding all day on one of these.  How do they handle the duties on the Federal bi-ways (Interstates in the US)?  How do you fit?  What kind of acceleration in the comparison?  Which one looks the part, and lastly, which has the best reputation as a long term rider?

The Honda has a 273 cc single, which make riding on the bi-ways very uncomfortable.  The KTM is really only for riding to the track and then home.  It makes no sense as a daily rider for multi-purpose use.  The Ninja is a terrific bike, but all of its power is too high in the rev range to be happy riding around town.  The last is the R3 with power, comfort, looks, 150-200 mile range, and the Yamaha Network is one of the largest in the world.  I really believe Honda is a cylinder away from jumping in fray, and they shan't let the others overwhelm their product, but for now, it's a glorified 250.

The winners are the Ninja 300 and the R3, with maybe the R3 edging it out with the good mid-range power, with plenty at the top.  I would have to put them in this rating:

1A - R3, 1B - Ninja, 2 - Honda, 3 - KTM (unless you want a track bike, making it 1).

[rockthesix]

All are great bikes for different reasons. One issue i have is geared toward the UK government. Since they are quite small to see...Is it possible to make the license plate a bit bigger so they can be seen from maybe 5 miles away. I'd hope its possible so it can fill up my entire screen.

[shiftyshamsk]

I've the 2008 250 Ninja.
I'm thinking of selling it and my 1000 for just one bike, one of these. I don't 'need' anything bigger.

[KAKAROT]

I think KTM RC 390 takes a crown here simply because its got better acceleration, better aerodynamics and its a single cylinder bike that has ABS . so its a win win situation for me! I own a duke 390 in india and it has served me very well so far!

[ps]

Fun, fun, fun. That says it all. You don't need a big bike unless you are a serious track rider.

[Brandon-nige]

I have road all these bikes accept for the ktm, I always wanted a ninja but I ended up going with Honda, took out a Honda cb300f super naked and loved it but didn't come in the colour I wanted so I ended up buying a Honda cbr300r
Everyone has there own preferences but go with the best deal you can find be careful buying used. Sometimes better to pay an extra 500 for new.

[vali]

Bad video aside ill talk about the bikes
First the honda
It has the old look of the bigger brother cbr1000rr but it has the lowest amount of power so it can be a good option for people who want to keep it for a short time like just one season then sell it... thats why its not on my buying list...
Next the yamaha r3
Now they revised it for 2019 and it looks good and is on the quicker and torque-y side... overall i feel like this is my 2nd option if there were more on the 2nd had market... theres only one currently so yeah... not that many have these in my country
Next the ktm
Now this one is the 2nd fastest 0 to 60mph/100kmph of the a2 class... the position is the most sporty out of all of them... this one has a really nice price brand new but in my country no one sells one of these 2nd hand at the moment or the past 3 months since i started observing.... the only bad thing about this bike is reliability so watch out lol
Now the kawi
The good old ninja 300... it really looks like the previous gen zx10r and zx6r and i love it for that... the power seems good.... though this bike might be easier for me to come by as ive seen about 13 being sold the past 3 months (by that i mean i saw 13 listings that are now gone aka sold) and only 2 are still up... the price is also good 2nd hand around 2500 to 3000 euros from what ive seen
And now the ninja 400.... the undisputed king of this segment... the looks are not for eveyone but i like it and no the new 636 does not look like this bike only the headlight and shark like fins from the h2 look the same... its also the fastes 0 to 60 wise even beating a golf gti lol... this bike you obviously wont get for as low as 3000 euros like the 300 but its still good... on the 2nd hand market no one is selling these because people tend to keep then for 2 years while they are stuck with their a2 licenses....
Overall the best choices if you are looking for a 2nd hand one are the ninja 300 and the r3 before the 2019 update.... and the rc390 if you dont mind having to repair it every season
Now for the best brand new bikes there is obviously the ninja 400... the king of this segment... or the r3 if you want something that feels like a 600 (because it seems the engine is kinda like the r6 where it gets really torquey in high rpms) and it also depends on which sitting position you like...
Overall i love the kawasaki and yamaha options for this segment... would love to get one of these 3 beauties when i get my a2 license next year

[Imcomingthrough]

All 4 are fantastic & will make you happy. Which is best? Maybe decide by elimination. Firstly, you need to be able to live with it everyday, if it's not comfortable, it wont matter how good everything else is, so cross off the KTM, yes it's the cheapest but it's the lesser quality bike too. Next, you want something reliable & proven, the Yamaha is the newest & not shown us what lifespan it has yet, so knock that one out. Lastly, you can now decide on the slight luxury of numbers, the Kawasaki has the edge over the Honda (& looks better too but that's personal taste territory). As I said, any one of these is a great buy & worth the money, ultimately there's so little between them but how I chose the winner is one option, another is stop asking the question on youtube & go test ride the bloody things.

[pramathewyayawar]

CBR300R looks the best of the bunch, especially in this brilliant all red colour.

[DaDetailer]

What is anyone's thought on the BMW G310r?

[SubratDeyindia]

Check Apache RR310. It will blow your mind surely

[rexbry]

Actually i like KTM, but the problem is fuel tank so small. I dont want to go to the gas station everyday.

[roflcopternom]

Yea they are all bikes the honda is definitely a honda you can tell because of the honda logo so basically all in all great bikes no answers

[TerribleTimes]

Other than that rick hard seat the KTM is the one I'd add to the stable :)

[Arya_Adarsh]

KTM RC 390 does 0-100 kmph in about 5 sec. Its sexier and faster than the lot.

[pompey]

Forget the bike reviews, the renewal quote and service I was offered by Bennetts this year was appalling and an absolute disgrace. I was offered better cover at less than half the price, so I’ve moved on. The rep on the phone was not interested at all. So after being on two wheels for over 45 years, my tip for fellow bikers is don’t use Bennetts!

[adityabhosale]

I own a KTM RC 390 and I think it's the toughest bike in 300 sports bike segment