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KTM 390's

For anyone who's curious, the rider triangle on the Ninja 300, CBR300R, and R3 is similar to the SV650 naked.

The R3 is the most agressive of the bunch, but it still falls squarely into the standard territory. Remember that the R3 is more or less just a larger displacement version of the Indian R25; a bike designed for commuting in traffic, not for track-duty.
 
This is from the July 2015 issue of Motorcyclist:

2l58hf.jpg
 
Nick said:
This is from the July 2015 issue of Motorcyclist:

2l58hf.jpg
Click to expand...

Thank you! I've been looking for this for a long time.

Any chance you have these figures for a current-gen sport bike or a current-gen standard?
 
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Burning1 said:
Thank you! I've been looking for this for a long time.

Any chance you have these figures for a current-gen sport bike or a current-gen standard?
Click to expand...

I don't. I bought the magazine at the grocery store because I wanted to read the article about the RC390. I'm debating what to race in 2016 in the LW classes and I'm leaning towards the KTM, but the availability of parts has me in a bind.

I don't want to be pigeon holed into buying KTM branded bodywork, bars, sprockets, rearsets, etc... Sharkskinz needs to whip up a set of bodywork for this thing with a quickness.
 
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Nick said:
I don't. I bought the magazine at the grocery store because I wanted to read the article about the RC390. I'm debating what to race in 2016 in the LW classes and I'm leaning towards the KTM, but the availability of parts has me in a bind.

I don't want to be pigeon holed into buying KTM branded bodywork, bars, sprockets, rearsets, etc... Sharkskinz needs to whip up a set of bodywork for this thing with a quickness.
Click to expand...

My suspicion is that we'll see 3rd party parts before the beginning of next year's race season. I also want to know if 2016 models are getting slippers or not. I haven't seen positive confirmation or denial of a slipper on 2015 models, but most of the signs suggest that it's absent.
 
Meter Man said:
Go to the Moto ergo site.

http://cycle-ergo.com
Click to expand...

That's perfect, thank you! The database includes both the R3 and the RC390. The difference between the RC390 and R3 are pretty significant. The R3 is clearly a standard.

Edit: Weird... The R3 is actually the least agressive of the bunch. In stock form, the CBR300R and Ninja 300R have more forward lean.
 
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Burning1 said:
My suspicion is that we'll see 3rd party parts before the beginning of next year's race season. I also want to know if 2016 models are getting slippers or not. I haven't seen positive confirmation or denial of a slipper on 2015 models, but most of the signs suggest that it's absent.
Click to expand...

If I recall correctly from the article, the only LW bike with a slipper is the Ninjette.
 
Meter Man said:
Go to the Moto ergo site.
http://cycle-ergo.com
Click to expand...

Ooh, that's fun! The RC390 is pretty close to an Suzuki Katana I had back in the day and that was all day long comfy. It also confirms my initial impression at the dealer that the CBR500R has the laziest riding position of any "sport" bike I've ever ridden.
 
rick said:
Ooh, that's fun! The RC390 is pretty close to an Suzuki Katana I had back in the day and that was all day long comfy. It also confirms my initial impression at the dealer that the CBR500R has the laziest riding position of any "sport" bike I've ever ridden.
Click to expand...

Yep. If any motorcycle has ever been any less deserving of the "R" moniker, I sure can't think of it.
 
If you want an upright bike you should be buying the Duke 390. KTM did the right thing of splitting the bikes between a "sport" version and a "street" version.
 
Me? No, the "lazy riding position" comment was a borderline complaint. I was surprised when I sat on it by how low the pegs were and how close the bars were. It's not uncomfortable obviously just weird for a "sport" bike.

My new commute is about half twisties and half lane splitting over about 80 miles round trip. So, I was thinking cheap/reliable, thin, comfortable to straight arm it while lane splitting but still fun in the twisties with enough power to make quick passes in the few safe spots to do so. The "cheap" part, 'cause I'm gonna bury 'em from mileage, puts me into small displacement category (or used). "Thin" steers me toward sport bikes which is my preference anyway. My 848 is a little hard on the wrists while lane splitting so, I'd like to go to a slightly less aggressive riding position. I want the RC390 but, the CBR500R has a bigger gas tank, longer maintenance intervals, makes slightly more power and is only a little bit more expensive. I can always get rearsets.

The R3 is another strong contender.
 
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Finally got a call from MotoCafe to come pick up my bike .. gonna need to go check it out this weekend. :)
 
Test rode the 1290 SD at ACE the other day, and saw a very clean and very new 390 Duke in for repair. It had bunch of hose ends showing with clamps on them, but they did not want to divulge too much information about what went wrong... Maybe it is India???
 
Right now I'm very torn between a RC or Duke ( 390 or 690 ).
 
phocup said:
Right now I'm very torn between a RC or Duke ( 390 or 690 ).
Click to expand...

If I was in the market to replace my DRZ it would definitely be the 390 Duke.

Lighter than the RC and better ergo/suspension layout for our commutes and busted up back roads.
 
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