The Kawasaki is quite the conservative motorcycle.
The one above is the basic no frills version, however, for a few more dollars, you can get the KRT version (Kawasaki Racing Team!) with a go faster paint job (black with green graphics), LED indicators, and a full colour display, rather than Black & White. Note how nothings been added to make it actually go faster than the basic model..
It’s a basic, no frills product thats well thought out., and there’s very little to complain about as a result.
Pro’s
- It’s comfortable
- It’s just as fast as the old KTM.
- It starts reliably and runs well, even when cold
- The clock keeps time
- It’s nicer to ride in the rain, even if the tyres don’t seem to stick as well.
Cons
- a lack of character, it doesn’t inspire you like a European bike tends to.
KTM’s image is decidedly edgy and all about that racing image..
This RC390 was the first of a new class of smaller sports bikes first introduced in 2014. Yamaha, Honda, etc soon got around to bringing out their own versions, but to me, they missed the raw energy and single-mindedness that typically comes with a European bike.
On paper, the RC390 has better front forks, and tyres, compared to the Kawasaki, which should translate into better handling, but somehow it doesn’t.
In the end, the Kawasaki just goes around corners easier and faster than the KTM. The KTM feels faster, but the speedo doesn’t lie.
Pro’s
- It has better mid range torque
- It sounds better
Cons
- It strains your wrists around town, because of the head down, bum up riding position.
- If your stuck in traffic, the radiator fan blows hot air at you.
- A ‘low fuel’ alarm screams at you, even though there’s heaps of gas left.
- It’s stable in corners, but I never felt comfortable pushing it that hard.
- It never ran well when cold and would cut out at every intersection until warmed up. restarting it was generally a mission, rather like waking up your dad when he’s drunk.
- Hot starts were OK, except when it was in a tempermental mood (often)
- The clock is a waste of time.
That conservative vs edgy image is illustrated nicely by comparing the manuals provided with each bike..
In conclusion, the Kawasaki’s just better all round, and easier to live with. KTM still make the RC390 as I write this, but given their financial woes, and their well known glitchyness, I can’t imagine a newer one been much different or better.
Uncoffined 
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