Yamaha R3
#21
Don't want to threadjack, but S2000junky sounds like you're familiar with KTM. If someone goes the RC 390 route, how is the KTM dealer support in the US? I haven't done a lot of reading but it seems like KTM dealerships might be few and far between compared to the big Japanese brands, and knowledgeable mechanics might be hard to find so service may be spotty. How accurate is this? I know it will vary region to region but I'm saying overall.
#22
Don't want to threadjack, but S2000junky sounds like you're familiar with KTM. If someone goes the RC 390 route, how is the KTM dealer support in the US? I haven't done a lot of reading but it seems like KTM dealerships might be few and far between compared to the big Japanese brands, and knowledgeable mechanics might be hard to find so service may be spotty. How accurate is this? I know it will vary region to region but I'm saying overall.
#23
Thread Starter
Don't want to threadjack, but S2000junky sounds like you're familiar with KTM. If someone goes the RC 390 route, how is the KTM dealer support in the US? I haven't done a lot of reading but it seems like KTM dealerships might be few and far between compared to the big Japanese brands, and knowledgeable mechanics might be hard to find so service may be spotty. How accurate is this? I know it will vary region to region but I'm saying overall.
I am in small market Minneapolis, and unless you are in a deep rural area you should be fine. I have 3 KTM dealers within 50 miles and 5 within 100. I don't think they do volume and they sell other brands, but I looked at the DUKE 390 and was confident if I needed something from a dealer, I'd be able to get it.
#24
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I too am looking into the starter bike market. There are Ninja 300's w/ ABS for $2500 local to me. At that price, despite the good reviews I'm reading about the RC390, R3 and CBR300R, its hard not to go with the Ninja.
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
#25
Thread Starter
I too am looking into the starter bike market. There are Ninja 300's w/ ABS for $2500 local to me. At that price, despite the good reviews I'm reading about the RC390, R3 and CBR300R, its hard not to go with the Ninja.
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
I bought the CB500f, and love it. A little more money up front than a Ninja 300 or R3, but I have the abs. It keeps up ok with some bigger bikes with a little work in the throttle and more shifting, and got me 80mpg on my first day long ride. Since I am starting all this late in life it may be my only bike ever and am ok with finding it powerful enough for my relaxed needs.
I might even ride it to Alaska in the next couple years. Seriously. A bike for that kind of ride might need a little more power, but it will make it.
#26
Originally Posted by S2K Al' timestamp='1435114291' post='23658294
I too am looking into the starter bike market. There are Ninja 300's w/ ABS for $2500 local to me. At that price, despite the good reviews I'm reading about the RC390, R3 and CBR300R, its hard not to go with the Ninja.
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
I also would consider the CBR500R, and have been including SV650's in my search as well remembering from back in the day how many considered that to be the best starter bike. Have you checked for any of those OP?
I bought the CB500f, and love it. A little more money up front than a Ninja 300 or R3, but I have the abs. It keeps up ok with some bigger bikes with a little work in the throttle and more shifting, and got me 80mpg on my first day long ride. Since I am starting all this late in life it may be my only bike ever and am ok with finding it powerful enough for my relaxed needs.
I might even ride it to Alaska in the next couple years. Seriously. A bike for that kind of ride might need a little more power, but it will make it.
#27
I got too hoon around on a Duke 390 a couple of weekends in a row in the Green Mountains of New Hampshire. That bike is CRAZY fun! Makes my SV650 feel like a hulking overweight pig! Suspension was quite firm and damping was very good out of the box, unlike the entry Japanese bikes which invariably have unbelievably (dangerously, even) mushy suspensions, especially forks. The engine wakes up above 6000rpm and the bike is so light you won't believe it's only got 44hp.
I rode curvy backroads, dirt roads that bordered on trials, and some highways, and the bike never failed to be a delight.
NEVER felt like a "budget bike". Coolest new bike in ages! Highly recommended...
I rode curvy backroads, dirt roads that bordered on trials, and some highways, and the bike never failed to be a delight.
NEVER felt like a "budget bike". Coolest new bike in ages! Highly recommended...
#28
I got too hoon around on a Duke 390 a couple of weekends in a row in the Green Mountains of New Hampshire. That bike is CRAZY fun! Makes my SV650 feel like a hulking overweight pig! Suspension was quite firm and damping was very good out of the box, unlike the entry Japanese bikes which invariably have unbelievably (dangerously, even) mushy suspensions, especially forks. The engine wakes up above 6000rpm and the bike is so light you won't believe it's only got 44hp.
I rode curvy backroads, dirt roads that bordered on trials, and some highways, and the bike never failed to be a delight.
NEVER felt like a "budget bike". Coolest new bike in ages! Highly recommended...
I rode curvy backroads, dirt roads that bordered on trials, and some highways, and the bike never failed to be a delight.
NEVER felt like a "budget bike". Coolest new bike in ages! Highly recommended...
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