I’m think of letting my Ninja go and picking up a RC 390. The ergonomics on the RC I’m considering feel great with the tyga rear sets and clip ons. Way better than my ninja with woodcraft bars and vortex rear sets. Plus the tank cover on the rc is shaped really well. Super easy to hook your outside thigh on. Just wondered if anyone here has made to jump to the little ktm and could share some of their experiences.

The only advice I can offer, after reading many reviews, is read up on its reliability as part of your decision process.

I'm going to pick up my brother's RC390. He's had it it for 2-years without any issues, but he's very meticulous about maintenance. There does seem to be lots of reports of ECU issues with engine just stopping randomly. Overall, RC390 is designed and setup to be track-ready from start, so you won't need to upgrade as much on it compared to Ninjette.

A buddy has the first year RC, and had some odd running problems that the dealer was trying to diagnose.

Changed this...changed that...eventually the Tech was taking it for a test ride and it blew-up (cam chain apparently). It may have had about 3000 mi at the time. They installed a completely new engine and it's been fine for the last 2000 mi or so. Tic- toc...

Oldest son was in CA recently with his girlfriend, and they rented a 390 Duke and a R3. Duke blew up on Angels Crest Highway.

I like to give my buddy some grief about KTMs needing engine changes at 3000 mi when most bikes just need oil changes.

The RC seemed pretty flat to me, but it does handle very well. He really likes it.

I'd never buy one.

I have heard that they run really lean for emissions reasons, so you have to re program them or they will just burn up the piston or the rings in a short time.

I’m going to pass on this one. For close to the same money I could get decent 600cc what not or even a ninja 400. I’ll just wait for one of them to show up local.

Sounds like a good plan; Kim does a lot well I don’t think the 390 is one of those things... yet

RC390 are fast, handle great, and the engines:

overheat
stall
blow head gaskets
need rebuilds in 2K hard miles or 10K easy miles
there's more
This is just the engine... need a bigger list to go into other issues.


That said, great bike. Just KNOW what you are getting into.

I just get tired of fighting the ergonomics on my little ninja. I got the suspension pretty dailed in but man that low seat and oddball shaped tank. I can hang off the bike fine even scrapped my elbow once but man my legs are killing me afterwards. Just can seem to lock my outside leg in without pressing down on the peg.

Do you have rearsets? Perhaps you need higher seat. Can add some extra padding in seat to raise it.

I’ve tried riding the seat a bunch of eBay rear sets yoshi risers and vortex rearsets. It’s been a couple year long battle. I’m a front end heavy rider. I like being all over the tank during braking and cornering. The ninja isn’t very conformable for this with the low seat high bars. Feels like a small cruiser.
I’m going to try a combo of about 1” of padding in the back of the tank, bars below the upper triple and yoshi riser w/Oe foot pegs on the highest setting.

I’ve tried riding the seat a bunch of eBay rear sets yoshi risers and vortex rearsets. It’s been a couple year long battle. I’m a front end heavy rider. I like being all over the tank during braking and cornering. The ninja isn’t very conformable for this with the low seat high bars. Feels like a small cruiser.
I’m going to try a combo of about 1” of padding in the back of the tank, bars below the upper triple and yoshi riser w/Oe foot pegs on the highest setting.

I have a 2013 300 with rearsets and clipons, both generic brands. I find it much better than stock for sure. I like to move as far back in the seat as possible. The 300 does feel smaller than the 400. I have generic rearsets and Vortex clipons on the 400. The riding position is very comfortable. The RC 390 lacks steam above 85mph. Whenever I am behind one in the straight away, I know I will be passing him very soon!:thumbup:

I’ve tried riding the seat a bunch of eBay rear sets yoshi risers and vortex rearsets. It’s been a couple year long battle. I’m a front end heavy rider. I like being all over the tank during braking and cornering. The ninja isn’t very conformable for this with the low seat high bars. Feels like a small cruiser.
I’m going to try a combo of about 1” of padding in the back of the tank, bars below the upper triple and yoshi riser w/Oe foot pegs on the highest setting.
you need a motard/supermoto

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/x193/vulcan9611/2918857.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds (https://app.photobucket.com/u/vulcan9611/a/6bc173fb-9d1f-4188-95bf-8b23a9a40289/p/611a539d-bb23-4201-9a6a-dff442e309db)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1D5OcV9Mv7k5o7-uPcnjgEPkMmev3Fobp/view?usp=sharing

I’ve tried riding the seat a bunch of eBay rear sets yoshi risers and vortex rearsets. It’s been a couple year long battle. I’m a front end heavy rider. I like being all over the tank during braking and cornering. The ninja isn’t very conformable for this with the low seat high bars. Feels like a small cruiser.
I’m going to try a combo of about 1” of padding in the back of the tank, bars below the upper triple and yoshi riser w/Oe foot pegs on the highest setting.

Yeah, I prefer my bars at seat-level.

Yeah, I prefer my bars at seat-level.

I prefer my bars a little higher than seat level, that way you don't had to bend over as much to drink.

Seem engineering and QC are below Japanese standards. Fleet reliability is spotty with many going for years without problems, while other are constantly in shop.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/long-term-ktm-rc390-final-update/
BTW, Ari Henning set Lightweight Twins record at Sears Point Sonoma on RC390

Lots of reports all over forums like this:
https://www.rc390-forum.com/threads/bike-suddenly-got-louder.1092/
https://bayarearidersforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=500624

Yeah I saw that about Ari Henning. He also ran 120/160 tires later on. Fast guys are fast guys. The bike doesn’t seem to hold them up much. I’m making progress with the my little ninja.

Those TD tires are awesome. Suspension feels really well sorted. just need sort the ergos a bit more and maybe a touch of physical fitness but I’m sticking it out with the ninja for a while longer.

Yeah, nothing like customizing bike to work better for you. Fits like glove and you don't even feel it any more, it's more an extension of your body! You can literally feel front contact-patch in your palms and your butt on rear.

Well, Ari had record for couple years. Rocco beat it by about 4-seconds on Ninja 400. :)

I prefer my bars a little higher than seat level, that way you don't had to bend over as much to drink.

I’m slow... finally got this one!!:rotflmao::smile-beerglass::thumbup: