Kawasaki Ninja 300 vs KTM RC 390
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
Kawasaki Ninja 300 and KTM RC 390 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. They are priced within ₹1,062 of each other, so this comes down to what each does with the money.
The RC 390 takes 6 of the 6 categories we score. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the Ninja 300 and 7.5/10 for the RC 390.
Category by category
Price
RC 390
The RC 390 starts ₹1,062 lower (₹3,32,938 against ₹3,34,000), about ₹30 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
RC 390
RC 390 claims 29 kmpl against 27 kmpl. That is roughly ₹1,794 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
RC 390
RC 390 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 249 against 217 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
RC 390
RC 390 adds traction control that the Ninja 300 does not have on any variant.
Features
RC 390
RC 390 gets usd front forks, rear monoshock, led headlamp and colour tft console and 2 more items.
City manners
RC 390
RC 390 is 7 kg lighter and taller in the seat (835 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Ninja 300 if
- your priority is spirited riding
- your priority is weekend rides
Buy the RC 390 if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | Ninja 300 | RC 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹3,34,000 | ₹3,32,938 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹3,77,048 | ₹3,82,996 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹1,67,420 | ₹1,58,450 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹18,100 | ₹18,384 |
| Five-year total | ₹5,92,568 | ₹5,89,830 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KawasakiNinja 300 | KTMRC 390 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹3,34,000 | ₹3,32,938 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹10,590 | ₹10,560 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 296 cc | 373.3 cc |
| Engine type | 2 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 1 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 38.9 bhp | 42.9 bhp |
| Torque | 26.1 Nm | 37 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 27 kmpl | 29 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 160 km/h | 160 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 179 kg | 172 kg |
| Fuel tank | 17 L | 13.7 L |
| Seat height | 785 mm | 835 mm |
| Ground clearance | 140 mm | 153 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1405 mm | 1355 mm |
| Length | 2015 mm | — |
| Width | 715 mm | — |
| Height | 1160 mm | — |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 290 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 320 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 220 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 230 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | 37 mm Telescopic Fork / 120 mm | WP APEX USD forks, 43 mm diameter |
| Rear suspension | Bottom-Link Uni-Trak with gas-charged shock | WP APEX Monoshock, 10 step adjustable |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-R17 | 110/70-17 |
| Rear tyre | 140/70-R17 | 150/60-17 |
Ninja 300 vs RC 390: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the Ninja 300 or the RC 390?
- The RC 390 is cheaper by ₹1,062 at the base variant (₹3,32,938 against ₹3,34,000 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the Ninja 300 or the RC 390?
- The RC 390 claims 29 kmpl against 27 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the Ninja 300 and RC 390 in Delhi?
- About ₹5,948: roughly ₹3,77,048 for the Ninja 300 and ₹3,82,996 for the RC 390, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹5,92,568 for the Ninja 300 and ₹5,89,830 for the RC 390, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The RC 390 comes out ₹2,738 ahead.
