NC30 vs. RC390?

Hey folks,

A friend of mine recently suggested that the RC390 would be the fastest 400cc bike I'd ever ridden. Well, I had a VFR400 street bike in South Africa and a really neat racebike with all carbon bodywork and I just can't imagine a 390cc single cylinder bike keeping up with a 400cc V4. My friend reckons the Honda's weight would put it at a disadvantage. Perhaps they'd be even?

So, what do you all reckon? Has anyone actually seen these bikes go head-to-head with expert-level riders?

 

I have both. I have no idea but the modern bits and parts availability make the RC390 the best bike, now. The Honda is absolutely a weapon albeit out of date.


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Well the Honda easily makes 60 rwhp and 40 lb/ft stock, so at any decent sized track, I think the VFR would completely destroy the RC390. The VFR is 45 kilos heavier though, and that could certainly be an issue in favor of the KTM.

 

What's current sense of the KTM in terms of reliability? Weren't people seeing overheating/head gasket issues?

 

Having raced at 400 for many years I'd say no. Just looked up the weight of the 390 and it's about the same as my Kawi 400 race bike which makes 72 Hp.

 

Having ridden both and owning a NC35 and also a NC29. There is no way a 390 will have anything for it the 400’s

 

If you want to herd goats the KTM is a better machine.....If you want to actually race the VFR should be your choice. Unless you are racing other goat herders.

 

Fixed

 

Yeah..that works too.

 

But your Kawi is probably far from stock (weight and power).

 

He needs to go on and give that to me.

I really need to put my 400 back together

 

FZR400 3TJ with a 660 build, 'for fun'.

 

When I finish mine i will find a 390 to run at a track i go too! We had a vfr400 racing light weight endurance a couple years ago! Don’t know for sure what or was not done to it?! But they had unlimited resources and good riders. So they pretty much kicked all our butts! Cbr500 R3 Ex500 390 Fzr400 ! Was building this Vfr400 to run. But then they bumped it to BIG BIKE ENDURANCE F2!!! Dumb

 

ZXR400SP, nothing like the current 400.

 

It was stock except for removing the street stuff and a having a beet ti exhaust system when I bought it, 330 lbs with stock wheels and tank, stock motor tuned for MR4, 70 HP. Stock is listed at 65 hp.

 

You wouldn't fit, it makes an R6 feel comfy.

 

Oooooh a Beet Mr. Money Bags.

And trust me you think the ZX is bad you should get on the 250RR. LAWD That thing is cramped but fun.

 

"raced at 400 for many years" and "72 hp" are solid clues

 

250RR CRAMPED!!