June 22nd, 2020, 07:24 AM | #1 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keith
Location: Gardner KS
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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RC 390...
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.
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June 22nd, 2020, 07:29 AM | #2 |
Guy Who Enjoys Riding
Name: Jim
Location: North Carolina
Join Date: Jul 2016 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Oct '18, Aug '17, Aug '16
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The only advice I can offer, after reading many reviews, is read up on its reliability as part of your decision process.
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June 22nd, 2020, 09:01 AM | #3 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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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.
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June 22nd, 2020, 11:02 AM | #4 |
Rev Limiter
Name: Jay
Location: WI
Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16
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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. |
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June 22nd, 2020, 01:01 PM | #5 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Ben
Location: Lawrence
Join Date: Jul 2018 Motorcycle(s): 2007 ex250 (black), silver 2005 ex250 scrambler, 2003 ex250 donor bike, 2006 kymco people 250 Posts: 73
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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.
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June 22nd, 2020, 02:54 PM | #6 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keith
Location: Gardner KS
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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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.
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2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
June 22nd, 2020, 03:43 PM | #7 |
Certifiable nontundrum
Name: Harper
Location: NC Milkshake stand
Join Date: Mar 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2013 SE NINJA 300 Posts: Too much.
MOTM - Sep '13, Sep '16
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Sounds like a good plan; Kim does a lot well I don’t think the 390 is one of those things... yet
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June 22nd, 2020, 05:19 PM | #8 |
ninjette.org sage
Name: John
Location: Appleton, WI
Join Date: Apr 2015 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 300 (race), Ninja 1000 (road) Posts: 504
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RC390 are fast, handle great, and the engines:
That said, great bike. Just KNOW what you are getting into.
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Ninja 300 - CCS Ultralight Thunderbike Racing I want to "like" your post but I can't due to forum rules. Sorry. |
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June 22nd, 2020, 06:42 PM | #9 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keith
Location: Gardner KS
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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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.
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June 22nd, 2020, 10:03 PM | #10 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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Do you have rearsets? Perhaps you need higher seat. Can add some extra padding in seat to raise it.
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June 23rd, 2020, 05:20 AM | #11 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keith
Location: Gardner KS
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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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. |
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July 1st, 2020, 07:15 PM | #12 | |
ninjette.org member
Name: John
Location: New Windsor
Join Date: Nov 2019 Motorcycle(s): GSXR 750, GSXR 600, Ninja 400, Ninja 300 Posts: 146
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Quote:
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2 out of 2 members found this post helpful. |
July 1st, 2020, 08:16 PM | #13 | |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge,2020 aprilia dorsoduro, 2014 yamaha fjr, 85 yamaha fj 1100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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Quote:
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"trying not to get old" |
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July 1st, 2020, 08:25 PM | #14 |
"a legend in my own mind"
Name: maverick9611
Location: Augusta,Georgia
Join Date: May 2017 Motorcycle(s): 2015 moto guzzi norge,2020 aprilia dorsoduro, 2014 yamaha fjr, 85 yamaha fj 1100 Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Feb '18
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"trying not to get old" |
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July 2nd, 2020, 11:08 AM | #15 | |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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Quote:
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July 2nd, 2020, 01:03 PM | #16 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: Whodat
Location: Ware Is.,MA
Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot.
MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14
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I prefer my bars a little higher than seat level, that way you don't had to bend over as much to drink.
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If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough! |
1 out of 1 members found this post helpful. |
July 4th, 2020, 02:29 PM | #17 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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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/l...-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/...t-louder.1092/ https://bayarearidersforum.com/forum...d.php?t=500624 Last futzed with by DannoXYZ; July 4th, 2020 at 03:52 PM. |
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July 4th, 2020, 07:35 PM | #18 |
ninjette.org member
Name: Keith
Location: Gardner KS
Join Date: Oct 2014 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 Posts: 52
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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. |
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July 4th, 2020, 08:11 PM | #19 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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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. |
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July 6th, 2020, 12:42 AM | #20 |
ninjette.org certified postwhore
Name: AKA JacRyann
Location: Mesa, AZ
Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): CB125T CBR250R-MC19 CBR250RR-MC22 NSR350R-MC21 VF500F CBR600RR SFV650 VFR750F R1M ST1300PA Valkyrie-F6C Posts: A lot.
MOTY - 2018, MOTM - Nov '17
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