Never been a better time to be a 'entry level' rider!

[a13x]

Omg the options available now are incredible! Where were all these cool little bikes when I first started riding. I had to go back into the 80's to find similar! Got to ride all of these on Wednesday up on Azusa Canyon and jesus what a great time. Nothing better than carving corners on lightweight bikes. I predict many bruised egos this summer when these bikes start hitting the streets.

Here's the roads we rode on. The section up to the top (Horse Saddle Canyon) looked like a European rally road! Super tight and undulating while the first part was more fast sweeping. https://goo.gl/maps/v7eSC

[Paul_E_D]

You don't have to tell me! LOL. It is sweet that this segment finally has some choices and sweet ones at that!

[a13x]

You don't have to tell me! LOL. It is sweet that this segment finally has some choices and sweet ones at that!

Hell ya man. Super pumped to see the OEMs finally supporting the small bore segment.

[slowkermit]

Your personal favorite? I'm in love with the cb300 (naked version) but I haven't ridden one.

[a13x]

Your personal favorite? I'm in love with the cb300 (naked version) but I haven't ridden one.

RC390, by a mile. Then the R3.

[Kurlon]

You get to have all the fun.

[slowkermit]

RC390, by a mile. Then the R3.

That's great to hear. with 44hp it's got the power advantage (I would think). So the rest of the bike is good too!

[Chippertheripper]

Should I call Neil and warn him?

[Garandman]

2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 368lbs wet.

KTM RC 390 2015 - Highlights. 323 lbs dry.

Impressive in all areas!

[slowkermit]

Should I call Neil and warn him?

Hahaha luckily I've surrendered the VISA card to MamaDuke!!!

[a13x]

2015 Yamaha YZF-R3 368lbs wet.

KTM RC 390 2015 - Highlights. 323 lbs dry.

Impressive in all areas!

Huh... Never would have guessed the weights were so far apart. The R3 doesn't feel that much heavier. Mainly due to ergos and bike geometry.

[Garandman]

Huh... Never would have guessed the weights were so far apart. The R3 doesn't feel that much heavier. Mainly due to ergos and bike geometry.

One is wet weight, one dry. Fluids could be 30 lbs, I think? Coolant, oil, and fuel.

[breakdirt916]

I also wish they were around when I started...

actually I would very much enjoy them now!

[slowkermit]

So how would these bikes stack up against a flexible flyer? (PKism)

[breakdirt916]

THE 390 IS A 43HP THUMPER?!?!?

Does it put power down like a dirtbike??

[Spooler]

I sat on a duke 390 yesterday... It felt awesome, but is it a real bike?!?! It felt almost as small as a Grom.... anyway, I'm excited my wife is learning in this environment

[South of Heaven]

Whoa, whoa, whoa... Wait a minute. You guys are forgetting that way too many entry level riders have a pre-conceived notion that they NEED at least a 600cc supersport or even a liter bike as their FIRST BIKE (I was included in that group too). Any bike less than a 600 is just childsplay to them. Lol.....Fast forward a year and then they hit Loudon and park their Panigales and R1's in a corner. Yeah, these new lightweight options are sick. I love that RC390.

[csmutty]

I'd love an R3.

[R7]

Whoa, whoa, whoa... Wait a minute. You guys are forgetting that way too many entry level riders have a pre-conceived notion that they NEED at least a 600cc supersport or even a liter bike as their FIRST BIKE (I was included in that group too). Any bike less than a 600 is just childsplay to them. Lol.....Fast forward a year and then they hit Loudon and park their Panigales and R1's in a corner. Yeah, these new lightweight options are sick. I love that RC390.

I don't think it was ever a need for a 600, I think the need was for something that at least looked cool to a new rider...and that started at the 600 level. Lets face it, until recently, the entry level 250's/500's looked like shit. Had there been an R3 or RC390...even the European YZF R125, I would have started riding on one of those vs the 600 I started on

[Paul_E_D]

THE 390 IS A 43HP THUMPER?!?!?

Does it put power down like a dirtbike??

No, that would be stupid as it would top out at 50 mph. It has to be a revvier motor with a sorter bottom and freer top end.

[Petorius]

I don't think it was ever a need for a 600, I think the need was for something that at least looked cool to a new rider...and that started at the 600 level. Lets face it, until recently, the entry level 250's/500's looked like shit. Had there been an R3 or RC390...even the European YZF R125, I would have started riding on one of those vs the 600 I started on

I got into motorcycles because of the straight line acceleration of an I4 600, no other reason, not gonna lie. I didn't realize they were fun to turn and just generally awareness-expanding until a month or two in.

[Tunertype]

I don't think it was ever a need for a 600, I think the need was for something that at least looked cool to a new rider...and that started at the 600 level. Lets face it, until recently, the entry level 250's/500's looked like shit. Had there been an R3 or RC390...even the European YZF R125, I would have started riding on one of those vs the 600 I started on

I agree. When you're driving around in a 2009 EX500 and everyone thinks it was made in the 80's it's a bit disappointing. I wouldn't go as far as a 125 though. You gotta be able to commute on the highway with confidence. A Ninja 250 is fine if you know how to wring all the power out of it, but a 125 or Chinese 250 with 12hp doesn't quite make it. Also when it's a choice between a 600 and a 1000. The 600 is the responsible entry level choice.

[a13x]

As for highway duties. I only rode the CBR and KTM on the hwys (one each way) and both are singles. Understand that CA freeways are nuts. 80mph is 'going with the flow' and 70mph is about as slow as it gets (in the far right lane, on a 5 to 6 lane hwy..). Then add in knifing around thru traffic so you doing get squashed and you need a bike with some oomph. Did about 45 miles each way.

On way out Honda didn't like being over 75. 70 and it was pretty happy. 80 was not happy. That single was working hard. KTM sat at 75-80mph no problem and my molars didn't feel like they were going to rattle out. I even dropped the hammer at one point and it pulled up to 100mph without much fuss. Claimed top speed is 110.

[SVRACER01]

think i could cram my 690 in that 390 frame? super singles here i come!

[Kurlon]

Interesting, my CBR didn't have impressive accel at 75, but would do it all day and never gave any hints it was unhappy about it. It was also the 250, not the current 300. Was it vibes or something else that signaled it wasn't as happy as it could be?