Detailed Comparison & Verdict: RC390 vs GT250R vs YZF-R3 vs Ninja 300

Priced between Rs. 2 lakh to 4 lakh, these are some of the most powerful and efficient bikes in this segment. With classy designs, extraordinary performance and engines, these bikes continue to rule Indian roads. Here’s a deep insight into what each of them has to offer you in terms of looks, engine, mileage, and performance with the final verdict.

RC390 vs GT250R vs YZF-R3 vs Ninja 300

KTM RC 390 is currently the fastest motorcycle by KTM in India, with a top speed close to 179 kmph. It is a full-faired version of 390 Duke with some changes in chassis leading to improvements in riding dynamics. 2016 model of KTM RC 390 features all-time on headlamps, NOK seal, improved paint quality, vapor recovery system, improved seating, adjustable handlebar levers, new ECU mounts, fuel tank with vapor recovery system, new pillion seat assembly, front forks with plastic flaps, improved radiator fans for better cooling and increased disc brake thickness. KTM RC 390 is priced at Rs. 2,14,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Hyosung GT250R is a younger sibling of GT650R with a new faring and unique styling features. This entry level sports bike by Hyosung in the Indian market gives a direct competition to Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha YZF-R3 and KTM RC 390. When it comes to performance and pricing, this Korean bike has taken a middle path in the quarter litre segment. Some of its most visible features include: chrome-finished exhaust, two stage projection beam, an aerodynamic body along with a digital display and fuel gauge. Hyosung GT250R is priced at Rs. 3,00,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Yamaha YZF-R3 has proved to be a game changer for the company. It has been a tough competition for KTM RC390 and Ninja 300. The lightweight bike with powerful performance gives you no less than a heavenly feel for riding it. Its design is inspired by the bigger Yamaha supersports motorcycles. Along with the fairing, it has got twin headlamp unit with an air intake, pilot lamp in the centre and a sharp pointed tail for the rear section. Yamaha YZF-R3 is priced at Rs. 3,26,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

The worthy successor of Ninja 250 R, Kawasaki Ninja 300 was launched back in October 2013. The sports bike is a tough competition to Hyosung GT250R and Yamaha R3. The Ninja 300 is found to have many styling updates that differentiate it from Ninja 250R. The front cowl comes with an altogether different setup for twin headlamp. The bike also features a fuel-gauge, analog digital meter, and pass-light switch but doesn’t has the ABS even as an option. Kawasaki Ninja 300 is priced at Rs. 3,65,000 (ex-showroom Delhi).

Design and Style

KTM RC 390 has got impressive features with styled body panels, aggressive riding position, sharp fairing, handlebar with new clips and inward moved footrests to enhance the joy and comfort of the ride.

The bike features advanced designed windshield with aerodynamic front, new steel fuel tank to fit in bike’s style and design, two-part seat with superior ergonomics and a compact 3-chamber silencer. To add to its unique design, it has flaming orange frame sections, thin tail with stylish number plate holder, sporty new twin headlights, blinkers integrated with mirrors, new aluminum-forged triple clamps and new footrests.

Hyosung GT250R is a full fairing bike with sporty and aggressive looks. It features vertically aligned twin projector lamps which form the headlight of the bike along with edgy lines on the front cowl giving it a sharp look. The bike has got black color for its rear view mirrors which are mounted on the cowl and the transparent visor rests on the top of its headlight. The bike gets a bulky look due to its fatty front forks and the mudguard along with twin disc plates.

Another noticeable feature of the bike is the dual-tone color on the bike with bolts fitted on the fairing. The bike has got aerodynamic look due to its side decals and air inlets. The rear cowl with split grab rail in black along with integrated side panel are again an attractive feature of the bike. It has got a well-designed fuel tank with decal of Hyosung on it.

Yamaha YZF -R3 has been built around a lightweight diamond-type semi-trellis steel frame giving it a beautiful and tough look and also improving its handling dynamics. It features iconic sharp tail light design with a unique front design having distinct headlights with a visor which is placed perfectly. The bike also got a perfectly shaped exhaust which is a noticeable feature of the motorcycle.

The bike features a well-designed sculpted windscreen, edgy design for the fuel tank, split seats and Y-spoke wheels. The overall design is striking and that’s why it gives a tough competition to other bikes in the segment. The clip-on bars and rear-set foot pegs give the bike a sporty stance with a good riding posture.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 is the best one in terms of looks, it has an impressive design which includes front sharp twin headlights and long V-shaped pointed visor which is mounted with rear view mirrors in black. To add on to its aggressive and sporty looks the bike features a short sized edgy front fender, newly designed alloy wheels, integrated engine cowl and side fairing. It also has neatly designed air-inlets which match with the color theme of the bike.

The bike maintains its premium look with elegantly designed fuel tank with the name written on it. The split seats rests on the top of its integrated side panel and rear cowl. The LED tail light has been placed in its rear cowl and the side indicators can be found in the extended rear fender.

Engine and Gearbox

The powerful KTM RC390 has got a 373.2 cc, 1-cylinder water-cooled engine, which can generate 43 Bhp of maximum power at 9000 rpm and 35 Nm of maximum torque at 7000 rpm. It has mechanically operated wet multi disc clutch, twin OHC based engine with a claw-shifted 6-speed transmission and electronic fuel injection with digital ignition timing adjustment. RC 390 is the most-powerful bike here!

Hyosung GT250R gets its power from 8-valve, DOHC, 2-cylinder, 250 cc engine which can generate power output of 28 Bhp at 10000 rpm. The maximum torque output of 22.07 Nm is delivered at 8000 rpm. GT250R has got a five-speed manual gearbox with one gear down and four gears up shift pattern. It is the least powerful sport bike here.

The Yamaha R3 is powered by 321 cc, 2-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, DOHC, 4-valves engine with fuel injection. The truly refined motor returns a mileage of 41.4 Bhp at 10750 rpm with 29.6 Nm at 9000 rpm which are good as compared to other bikes in the same segment. The bike has a 6-speed, constant mesh gearbox.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 gets its power from the liquid-cooled, 4-stroke 2-cylinder 296cc engine. The 8 valves engine is able to generate 38.5 Bhp of maximum power at 11000 rpm and maximum torque production of 27 Nm at 10000 rpm. The bike is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox with a gear shift pattern of one gear down and five gears up.

Instrument Console

KTM RC390 is equipped with a fully digital LCD instrument console to display the information of fuel gauge, service reminder, engaged gear and alert for RPM that lets the rider know of the suitable timing for shifting up. It also has a odometer, speedometer, trip meter, tachometer and a clock.

Hyosung GT250R features a combined analogue-digital instrument console. On the left side there is a round shaped analogue tachometer while the right side has a LCD for digital speedometer, trip meter, odometer and fuel gauge. You can adjust the brightness of the LCD for better visibility.

The Yamaha R3 has got an analog-digital instrument console with a fully analogue hexagonal tachometer which includes group of indicators to its left and a digital screen on its right. You can toggle the display information and reset the trip meters with the buttons available.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 features a stylish instrument console which sports an analogue tachometer placed in the centre. Below the tachometer is a small LCD to display digital odometer, speedometer, fuel gauge and trip meter. The LCD uses white color for illumination at night and also comes with a digital clock.

Performance and Mileage

KTM RC 390 is the most-powerful one in terms of performance, being the best in this segment. The bike can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 5.70 seconds with a top speed of 179 kmph. It returns a mileage of 20 kmpl in city and 30 kmpl on highway. Although the bike has a slow initial acceleration but once the wind resistance increases, it quickly catches up speed and can sustain it. The RC 390 has got a smooth throttle work which produces direct and measured responses. A good economy is an outcome of fairing which makes it fuel-efficient more on the highway than city. The bike has gear shift pattern of 1 down and 5 up.

Hyosung GT250R is under-powered in comparison to other bikes in its class and it can’t compete with Ninja 300, RC 390, and Yamaha R3 in terms of high speed cruising. The bike has got five gears with the gear ratios on the taller side. It has a refined DOHC engine but you will find the power missing beyond 8000 rpm with a disappointing throttle response. With a top speed of 140 kmph it reaches 0-100km/hr in nearly 9.50 seconds. The bike can return a mileage of 25 kmpl in city and 30 kmpl on highways.

The lightweight Yamaha R3 with a twin cylinder has a powerful performance and is highly responsive to the throttle. It can shoot from 0-60 kmph in 2.89 seconds and 0-100 kmph in 6.0 seconds. The bike has got a top speed of 188 kmph (approx.) and returns a mileage of 15 kmpl in city and 25 kmpl on highway. Although the mileage figures aren’t impressive especially for those who are obsessed with mileage figures but the bike still holds its charisma due to its looks and the 6 second sprint.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 is faster and aggressive in its performance as compared to its smaller sibling. It can reach up to a top speed of 182 kmph and can sprint from 0-100 kmph in 6.73 seconds. It has tall gear ratios which increase with the speed. It has got a highly refined DOHC engine which keeps the ride free of noise and harshness. It comes with dual throttle valve technology which enables the bike to offer instant throttle reaction.  The bike has additional sixth gear and strong high range enables easy overtaking. Its best performance can be felt during 120 kmph-160 kmph and it offers a mileage of 15-20 kmpl in city and 20-25 kmpl on highways.

Brakes & Suspension

Hyosung GT250R comes equipped with 41mm inverted front forks and the rear suspension has gas filled mono shock absorber. The braking duties are efficiently done by 300mm twin front discs and a single disc of 230mm at the rear. The bike doesn’t come with optional ABS.

The suspension system of KTM RC 390 is equipped with WP upside down telescopic forks with 125mm travel at front and a WP mono-shock absorbers with 150mm travel at the back. For the brakes, it has a 4-piston, radially bolted caliper with 300 mm single front disc brake and a single-piston, floating caliper with 230 mm single rear disc brake. The bike has got powerful braking and enhanced safety due to presence of ABS (Anti-lock Braking System).

Yamaha R3 comes incorporated with an excellent braking system for both the front and the rear. There is 298 mm, hydraulic front disc brake and 220 mm hydraulic rear disc brake. You would enjoy a good brake response even at high speeds while riding on R3. The suspension duties are done by telescopic forks front suspension and mono-shock unit for the rear suspension.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 has got advanced braking system and suspension that enhance the safety levels while driving. There are beefy front telescopic forks of 37mm and the rear has got bottom link uni trak with 5-way adjustable gas charged shock absorber. It has got 290 mm front petal disc brake and 220 mm rear disc brake.

Verdict

Unfortunately, the high price of Hyosung GT250R doesn’t justify its design and performance. The high speed grunt is missing on the bike which is much better in its competitors and that’s why Hyosung GT250R is titled as overpriced. The YZF-R3 has got a refined engine quality along with a powerful performance but it is slightly overpriced. But for the true Yamaha R-series lovers, the price and mileage only remains as a figure.

Kawasaki Ninja 300 is refined in its engine, performance and has got stunning design and looks. It is a good package for the premium it demands. Affordable price, powerful performance, with enhanced safety features like ABS is what describes KTM RC 390. It performs well in both city traffic and on open highways. Although it has a less refined engine than others and uncomfortable posture for daily usage but its quick performance and sharp handling along with decent pricing overshadows it all.