Yamaha YZF-R3 vs KTM RC 390

We spend a full week riding the Yamaha R3 to see what it offers and is like in the real world. Moreover, we can now tell you whether it's worth the exorbitant asking price.

The YZF-R3 is one of those motorcycles that every bike enthusiast in India knows about. Yamaha sold a few hundred units of it in India a few years ago, but the bike had to be discontinued due to the implementation of stringent emission norms. Nevertheless, this bike is making a comeback here with a few latest features this time around. In fact, its aspirational value has gone up, thanks to the revised styling. Where its smallest sibling, the R15, is making all bikers go in awe due to its stunning design, the YZF-R3 is comparatively less aggressive.

It was time to test KTM’s claims to have made the RC more useable, mainly in terms of engine refinement and tractability, ride quality, and seating comfort. What followed was a 1200km Mumbai-Goa round trip. Here’s how it went.

We are curious to find out if the new player can beat the RC at its game or succumbs to the Austrian engineering and finesse.

We thoroughly enjoyed testing the 2022 KTM RC 390's capabilities on the race track and during our road test review as well. However, if you want a quick summary of the bike, here are the positives and negatives of the all-new RC 390.