KTM RC390 VS YAMAHA YZF-R3
SHOOTOUT
P58
outset—the KTM feels slim and
taught, not far gone from the
size of a modern 600 super-
sport—the steel trellis chassis
ready to attack in a flurry of late
braking and high corner speed.
Sitting inside that frame is the
same engine from the 390 Duke
and it's an absolute weapon.
This is as close as modern bikes
have yet got to machines like the
old Suzuki RGV250—the previ-
ous generation's learner darling.
The RC's single piston blasts
up and down the 60mm bore
with amazing speed, picking up
revs quickly and making enough
horsepower that you can quite
easily do second-gear wheel-
ies. The engine is tractable and
smooth for a 375cc single and
you can be lazy by leaving it in
third and fourth gear and let the
motor pull you along through the
canyons. Top speed is some-
where in the 110mph range but it
takes quite a while to get there,
especially with a whale like me
on board.
The gearbox on the RC390 is
good, although not quite at the
level of the engine. The throw is
long and you have to be direct
with your shifts so you don't
accidently snick a false neutral—
I got lazy and was punished
several times.
The chassis of the RC is
mechanically brilliant but it does
have its hardware flaws. The RC
steers with bang-on precision
thanks partially to the excellent
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tires as
standard. I love the leverage
you get from the wide bars—you
simply look where you want to
go and you'll be there, but the
suspension, which I didn't have
an issue with on the 390 Duke,
feels like it's letting the show
down slightly.
The rear shock doesn't have
the same feel as the Duke's
and doesn't keep the bike as
controlled under acceleration.
The front is not too bad, but for
The Yamaha
isn't as fast into
a corner as the
KTM but is more
stable when it
gets there.
(Clockwise) Yamaha's
design department
has done a great job
in making a seat that
looks sharp with decent
comfort. Front brakes
on the Yamaha are very
good, and almost negates
the fact there is no ABS.
Exhaust is slim and neat
but does add extra weight
compared to the KTM's
system.
