Kawasaki Ninja 400 vs KTM RC 390 - Specs Compared

Currently, Kawasaki India’s official specs haven’t accounted for the power gains due to the RAM air effect. In our previous experience with the bike, and also the international EU5 version of the same, the motor will then put out around 49PS. That’s considerably more than the RC. Hence, in a straightforward drag race, the Ninja will leave the RC behind in a trail of dust.

Also, with the BS6 updates, the Kwacker has lost 1Nm while the KTM has gained 1Nm. Besides, the RC has become a lot more rideable now, so the two bikes should be closer with regards to in-gear roll-on acceleration.

We expect refinement levels to be better on the Ninja 400. The old bike was far more refined and the same should continue for 2022 as well.

Hardware

Specifications	Kawasaki Ninja 400	KTM RC 390
Frame	Tubular steel trellis frame	Split tubular steel trellis frame
Front suspension	Telescopic fork	USD fork
Rear suspension	Preload adjustable monoshock	Preload and rebound adjustable monoshock
Front brake	286mm rotor, twin piston caliper	320mm rotor, 4-pot radial caliper
Rear brake	193mm rotor, single-piston caliper	230mm rotor, single-piston caliper
Front tyre	110/70 - R17	110/70 - R17
Rear tyre	150/60 - R17	150/60 - R17

KTM has worked tirelessly to reduce the unsprung mass on the RC, thereby making it even sharper. The components used are also top-drawer, certainly a rung above the ones you get on the Ninja. Be it the suspension, brakes or tyres, it packs better kit all around.

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Dimensions

Specifications	Kawasaki Ninja 400	KTM RC 390
Wheelbase	1370mm	1347mm
Ground clearance	140mm	153mm
Fuel tank capacity	14-litres	13.7-litres
Seat height	785mm	835mm
Kerb weight	168kg	172kg

Both bikes are great handlers but in its latest avatar, the RC 390 has also become quite approachable and a lot more versatile. And with the larger fuel tank and revised ergonomics, one can tour astride the Katoom too.

The Ninja 400 is still 4kg lighter and has a lower seat height, though. That said, ground clearance is a small concern on the Kwacker, as 140mm just doesn’t cut it on Indian roads.

Features

	Kawasaki Ninja 400	KTM RC 390
Colour TFT dash	No	Yes
Smartphone connectivity	No	Yes
Electronic rider aids	Only ABS	Cornering ABS, Lean sensitive TC
Quickshifter	No	Yes

This is a clean sweep for the RC 390 as even the larger Ninja 650 cannot match the amount of tech that KTM has thrown into its flagship supersport. The Bosch six-axis IMU-aided electronic suite includes Cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control. It does have a bi-directional quickshifter, which needs some getting used to, especially for upshifts. The Kawasaki is devoid of any such riding aids, with only ABS being the mandatory fitment. Even the console on the Ninja is a semi-digital unit.

Price & Verdict

Kawasaki Ninja 400	KTM RC 390
Rs 4.99 lakh	Rs 3.13 lakh

(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 continues to be quite a powerful little motorcycle, certainly one that deserves to be talked about in the sub-400cc space. What continues to make headlines for the bike is its incredibly high asking price and not the performance capabilities.

Monetarily as well as rideability wise, the KTM RC 390 does make a lot of sense now. We have ridden the bike on the track and are soon going to have a real-world road test review live on our website. It has impressed us greatly on both fronts, so our pick has to be the new RC.