ABS has saved my life when I first started riding. 3 months in, driving to work on my 2019 R3, an accident happened on the other side of a corner on the highway (going 75). Lost my cool, and put too much pressure on on my front brake. Had it not been for ABS, I would’ve possibly launched myself and possibly the bike as well
ABS taught me in my first year that I was mashing the rear brake too hard. It would always activate under normal braking. It also taught me that you can really yank that front brake way more than you think before it kicks in. Basically, I was too heavy on the rear and too light on the front.
My first bike is a KTM 390 2023. No shot it's way better than I expected. I drove my friend's cf moto 300 a while back for a month or 2 and the KTM is definitely a huge upgrade and just everything is smooth. Very easy to learn to ride and when you want to learn more advance ish moves and control the bike has a huge learning experience
I just crashed my '23 rc 390 at about 7:30pm this evening. I took a corner just fast enough to end up going too wide and ending up in a dirt ditch. I'm lucky. I'm totally okay, only a small bruise from my shoulder pad in the late 2000's track suit "Clarion Suzuki GSX-R/Yoshi" Real Leather branded. And maybe some minor whiplash. surprisingly I didn't break any plastics or parts, and it was mechanically intact. it only added a few scratches, a torn sticker, and some desert camo. Lol. Shout out to a couple driving by who witnessed my mishap and made sure I was okay, they also gave me a bottle of water and followed me home. Maybe there are some solid people left out there. Also, Alpinestars smx boots and 4SR gloves took it like a champ too. I got the gloves from Yam's site as well haha. Basically slow tf down enough to make the corner. ATGATT.
The object of the beginner bike is to not have something that is too fast, too heavy, or too complicated and let a beginner learn the basics before they get onto a highway.
While I absolutely agree, the only hard thing about a highway is getting over the fear of 70mph+ speeds. They are significantly safer than those small suburban rosds
Or just have 12 to 20 hours of mandatory driving lessons. A exam that proves you can handle the bike. A exam to prove you know your traffic laws and theory. And a exam to prove you are safe and to be trusted alone on the road. This is what we Dutch people have to go through to get our license (I'm almost there !!!). And it will cost you at least 1600 dollars and 3 months of dedication. All in all - it DOES work, rarely you will see an unexperienced motorcyclist with a license here. The exams are absolutely no joke either, more than half doesn't pass theory exam on the first try. Your argument still holds truth though ! Your points are absolutely valid once i get to ride "on my own" without instructor. I'm just a bit frustrated i don't get to ride myself yet, sorry lol.
@@frankruisch8589 I fully support this! I personally took my MSF course in the US (which is a joke and the easiest thing ever, the only hard part was the long day in the sun). I realize many individuals opt to just ride without a proper endorsement, but it’s pretty concrete that taking an MSF course will teach you good fundamentals and build good habits from the first time that pull that clutch. Cheers! And safe riding to you😊
@@frankruisch8589 Licensing is a joke here in the US depending on where you live. In Texas, where I live, most people who ride a motorcycle have ridden dirtbikes long before getting a license and ridden thru forest trails, in the country, etc. I rode 3 years without a license but then decided to get legal for the roads. Its hard for people here to even drive a car or truck well.
@@frankruisch8589 exact same as we have to do in the uk. We still have the eu testing process. Just passed mine and the hours you have to put in and hoops to jump through is mad. Certainly gets you the basics though!
I test drove a duke 390 a couple years ago while I was getting new tires. I was very surprised by the power and maneuverability and wouldn’t mind having one as a smaller second bike!
I have a Duke 390 as my first bike. It's great given its limitations for what it is meant to be.. I'm Dieing to upgrade to an rs660.. Also, I wonder if the Husqavarna 401 would have been the better choice, better looks, better features, and better tires. Don't get me wrong, I love my Duke, but loathe it's limitations.
The 401 Vitpilen and Svartpilen has all those features + the quick shifter as standard. The RC 390, and both 401’s are all great bikes. I’ve got an awesome 890, but I have so much fun riding the 401 Vitpilen too.
Love the svartpilen, never got rid of mine. Glad I kept it because they stopped making the 701, they're great bikes. Really would be the pinnacle of a beginner bike.
@@dukie1616 I have the 2015 duke 390 and was eyeing off the svartpillen 401 because i like a bit of off road too. But mines such a fun bike id have to keep it.
Best bike I’ve ever owned! Turns heads all the time, so light.. when I tell you it carves through wind like butter 🧈! Can’t wait to get this out on a track!!
I bought the new RC 390 about a month ago and I love it. I know for the American audience this is pretty small cc bike but I live in Turkey and has A2 license. The power very good for our standards especially after using Bajaj dominar 250 daily for a year.
@@burakhuseyinkunt8053 Hocam ikinci el 4000 km de aldım zaten. Ben ilk motorum olan dominar 250'den geçiş yaptım ve makina bana acayip deli geliyor. Yani öyle 250 cc üstü tecrübem yoktu benim ondan da olabilir ama kardeşim benden daha eski motorcu. Onunla almaya gittiğimizde denedikten sonra ilk yorumu "acayip bir makine, R25 bok yemiş"ti😂 alt devirleri boş motorun dominarın torku daha düşük devirlerde geliyordu. 5-6 bin devirden sonra kendine geliyor 8500 devirden sonra bir anda acayip deliriyor. Üst devirleri aşılı dolu yani. Birinci viteste tam gaz direkt kafaya geliyor. Çok seri motor. 0-100 4.5 saniye zaten. Kısacası bana şuan fazla bile geliyor😂
Its interesting how the definition of "beginner bike" has evolved. My first bike was a 1966 Honda 90 with 5 HP. I started riding in 1967 when I was 14 years old. This was the minimum age for a bike in Oklahoma. The maximum power that a bike could have if you were under 16 years old was 5 HP. At the age of 14, a 300 cc bike would have been gigantic to me. 48 HP would have been unimaginable.
In the UK if you're 16-17 you can have a 50cc Scotter that makes out around 30-50mph (stock) at 17-19 you can get a A2 that let's you ride a 125Kw(14.9hp) bike as long as you do a Cbt and have L plates on the bike. from ages 19-21 you can have an A2 license that let's you have a 20KW (27BHP) to 35kw (47BHP) You can actually ride a motorcycle of any CC, however, it must be restricted to no more than 35kw (47bhp) ~it's a little strange they go of Kilowatt hours but It means some older big CC bikes can be ridden without restriction ~ finally age at age 21 you can do you're full bike licence for any bike..
First world problem, where motorcycle are allowed to enter the highway or your country is just really vast like the USA, here in Asia 250cc is considered as a flagship and given a "luxury item" tax by the government, so beginner bike over here is mostly 110cc scooter
I bought a KTM 390 Adventure after being off a bike for 12 years. Three years later I still have it and it is going well. It is fast enough to keep up with the highway traffic and has enough power to carry me around comfortably. The 390 Duke and RC390 are the sports versions of my bike and have a lot in common with it. I would recommend these bikes to anyone, depending on what they want to do with it. Mostly sealed roads or track days - go for the RC or the Duke. More offroad or an upright riding style - go for the Adventure.
Just bought a 2023, already through it's 900 miles break in cycle, and unlocked at the dealership. It's incredible. I have a few big bikes and non of them have the tactile feel that the RC has. You get so much for six grand. As an experienced rider of 20 years I never had a machine this lite and nimble. My face is numb from smiling after every ride. I really love the cornering abs and baby clutch pull.
The 2024 model with the quick shifter seems like the best starting bike with great value. I had wanted an MT-07 but the 2024 KTM RC390 has taken my #1 spot. Glad you’re having a great time with it, thanks for sharing, and ride safe :)
@@AlexKapitoshka This little bike is a total blast. It's punchy, handles corners like it sees the future and has a great look back factor. It's definitely a perfect more premium starter bike. It'll be forgiving enough that it won't get out of control and has more than enough power to keep a new rider happy for years. Since the last post I put another 2k miles on mine and it keeps getting better.
@@mwtraining4310 KTM makes the RC 8C but it's track only, in it's current form, ultra rare and cost about $41k. They did make an 1190 RC8 but finding one in good condition that hasn't been modified is also really rare. they pop up on cycletrader but the asking price is usually really high. Between 10 and 25 grand. I Did an airbox mod, full exhaust and a tune but that was just to smooth out the throttle, take a little weight off and give it a broader power band. It did gain about 5 HP but that's very little gain for the $1600 it cost. Sounds better and is more responsive though but some consider modifying such a small machine a waste of money.
I love mine. I'm a advanced rider and this is my second gen for daily and I have almost every upgrade possible. Fuel X Lite ECU, bored out headers, mid-pipe, akcropovic debaffled racing slip-on, and both DNA filters. Just waiting for the development of the intake runners and if I ever blow it, I'll do a racing compression kit 😆 A bit loud but gets attention.
Could you share with me a little more about the upgrades you did? It’s my first bike and I’m looking to possibly do some affordable upgrades and was wondering which ones you suggest
@@dopeytripod such a stupid opinion; I rode my 2012 ninja 250 happily for 7 years before ‘upgrading’ to an sv650 which I loved but decided the smaller capacity was more fun and simpler at low speed situations on the daily, I would take an RC390 anyday over every other bike on the market regardless of size or value
@@dopeytripod Been riding my cb500f for 5 years now, the only reason I'd want a different bike is sound. If Honda slapped a 270° crank in the 500, I'd just trade my cbf for a cbr.
Think the question should be if we have reach beginner motorcycle RIDING. It's amazing how a rider that has reached a good level in a 390 can put a 600 rider to shame. WORK ON YOUR SKILLS. Good video, by the way.
One of your best videos Yam. Excellent intro to the history of the bikes in the category; the ride along was well stated; and the conclusion was tight.
Modern engineering, metallurgy, tolerances have become so good that engineers are able to squeeze exceptional performance out of a similar upper middle segment motors of yesteryear. And it's a good thing, you need not spend too much pelf for the equipment that once were deemed exclusive to supersports, which is now standard on most A2 classes, kinda upps the ante.. a learning curve for a beginner rider.. fun for the experienced rider. With today's middleweight punching way above their weight, they're probably only a couple of seconds behind their supersport counterparts in most cases. Great video by the way!
I just paid the deposit on my first ever bike, this year’s Yamaha R125, it’s hands down the best 125cc you can get. I’m in the EU so gotta start with something less likely to kill me.
my buddy just bought one last month, rode it a few times.. definitely a nice bike. the price was the most surprising to me, $5800... cheaper than the drz400's i'm looking at or other supermotos i'd like to have lol. but overall, good choice. my girl is interested in the duke 390 as a starter bike.
I Ride a piaggio bv350, yeah I know it's a scooter but still I love that thing. It's so fun! It has enough engine to move me around basically anywhere and it also has space under the seat.
I had a solid beginner bike in the z650rs Traded it in for the latest RC390 and I am so much the better for it! Kickass bike, better than anything on the Australian learner licensing right now, short of the R7 and MT07
@@possummagic1341 if you're a beginner you shouldn't be thinking about having a second bike, my tip. If you lack the common sense I'd also not advise the mt07 (someone like that will probably loop it pretty quick), but if you can control yourself you should be fine.
270⁰ or 315⁰ parallel twin crank 390cc (same power)or 450 cc( 55bhp 5kg torque) 2" Higher clip-on than stock . Husqvarna AERO 401 design . Soft spring with strong dampers Front suspension redesign like Motoinnos Ducati or a vyrus m2.
there's so much content out there now on beginner bikes, and litre bikes for that matter, reaching an age that i'm starting to look at middle weight finishing sport naked bike to ride comfortably for the rest of my days, would like to see more that genre. i'm short legged and so far the Ducatti Monster is looking good. Light wet weight. Can order from factory with only a 30.5 inch seat height, not finding much to compare to. would be nice if someone put that type of vid together, nudge nudge. anyways, thank you for all the vids you put together.
For me the peak of beginner bikes would be if manufacturers were to develop and release some more small displacement triple or four cylinder models. Kawasaki did a nice job on the ZX25R and the new ZX4R...more of the same please - from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha etc. I'd personally love to see modern version of the old RVF400 'V4'...with fuel injection.
I cannot wait for you to get your hands on the ZX 4R or whatever that in-line 4 400cc Kawasaki bike is called. I had my R3 stolen a year ago and my itch is itching.
Used to race, road, MX, ATV. Always scoffed at ABS until a few weeks back, when a deer, stopping mid- street, wanted to mount me on his wall. ABS hauled my 500 lb Kawasaki down from 60mph in an amazingly short distance. I grabbed too much panic brake and would have skidded into it!.. I just bought that 2023 RC390, As a last bike. Don't need 100 hp. A light weight, RC cup racer will do me fine, under the TON, here in the hills and river valleys of Southern Missouri. 😊 ✌
I actually went from a 900 to a cbr250 to commute through a massive city (it took over an hour). The cbr did 80mpg+ and never skipped a beat. Light enough to ride in hard conditions. But good grief it was boring and slow. It did 36.000 miles in 4 years, only one chain and one tyre change. I added up the fuel vs the cost of changing the 900 to a new 250 and the depreciation cost more than the fuel savings. Moral of the story - once you have a big bike, keep it. The RC390 styling is really good. But again these are available at less than half price with a few 1000 miles on them.
i havethis bike...i opted above ninja 400 and R3 was not available...let me tell u..this bike fullfilled everything i wanted from a bike...such a fun to ride this beast...
@@Daniel-dj7fh no I’ve owned 5 My first was a new 2019 z400, my second was a ninja 650 krt with a blown motor that I rebuilt. I sold both of those to pay for the down payment on my house. Then I bought a totaled ninja 650 rebuilt it. Then sold it put some money in the bank and bought a beat up z400 to fix and ride. Then sold that one to pay off some debt. And the after I posted the comment above I bought my 5th bike its a 2023 ninja 400 that I bought to have fun with and start setting up for track.
My first bike was a 2005 Ninja 250. It was absolutely underrated. I could outgun most cars from a light without difficulty and do 70 mph all day on the highway. I had a 2023 KTM 390 Adventure for a short time and it was better, but not night and day considering the Ninja was designed in the 1980s.
Not sure the Ninja 250 deserves any hate. When I first got my license in 2000 I could either afford a used bike or a brand new Ninja 250 for the same price. Just over 3000 and I loved that bike for a year and a half till I was ready to step up. Did I take it to the SoCal canyons? No. But it handled the freeways and surface streets with ease, including riding it at least once a week to work, which was 45 miles each way, mostly freeway and it was perfect. I think for the times, when ALL bikes were pretty much carbs, it was perfect as a first bike. Light and tossable, enough power to really learn without getting yourself into trouble. And after that year and a half I traded it in, got 2500 and put that towards a new ZX-6R. Stepped up to that and had no issues. If I had it to do over again, I would have done it just the same. All that being said, it sure would have been nice if the Ninja 400 or KTM 390 existed back then:)
Agreed! Nothing wrong at all with the Ninja 250! I've been riding since 1989, and I only rode a Ninja 250 a few times but more than once nearly bought one as a second bike before finding a leftover new '17 Yamaha YZF-R3 with ABS at a price I couldn't pass up. I do believe the wee Ninja is still a heck of a lot MORE motorcycle than the current Suzuki 250 and maybe even the Honda 300; I know the last gen 250 had revised gearing and such and wasn't as quick but the one I rode which would've been the generation before it felt like it would murder the Suzuki and Honda, and could've almost given my R3 a run for the money. The GS500E wasn't such a bad bike either, I owned one of those once and yeah it had its limitations but was cheap, fun to ride being about as nimble as these 250-400 class bikes but with more HP if not up to the standards of other 500s (which were also more $$$$ and weighed more) and so long as you took care of it would never let you down. I do worry about the KTM as a beginner bike for that one reason, if it's as bad as its reputation it might not be so good for new riders still learning their stuff!
I like carburetors on motorcycles. When bikes sit for a long time, the gas gets gummy and turns into varnish and or dust. The carburetors can be cleaned and your good to go. On fuel injected bikes, the fuel pump and injecters are junk and need to be replaced. If all you buy is new or if you pay someone else to do the work, then I guess it doesn't really matter.
@@MotoJournoKris Didn’t expect to see you around here, small world ain’t it? If Tesla made bikes (thank god they don’t, I bet something would fall off mid ride) they would already have made one that could ride itself.
I tested the original rc390 once and was surprised how much I liked it. Wicked bike! Easy and fun to just absolutely push it to the limits and toss it around like a toy bike. Sadly that's exactly what it was to me. A toy bike. Because I'm like 6.5" and there was just NO WAY I could've ridden this thing properly for a longer time 😂
@@rAnge4Bl0w Well i've ridden a few bikes over the years bc I've been in the lucky position to work at a dealership. At the moment tho I only have my DR650 left. It was my first bike and I kept it ever since. It's cheap to operate. It's great fun because it can take some abuse and can take you over curbs into the woods or over fields and also it sounds great. But. It's not not really a sportsbike eh? 😂 The CB500F from 2013 onwards is not a big bike. Its quite little. The older models have a more relaxed knee angle but their also boring to ride. I've greatly enjoyed myself on Triumph speed triples. Obviously on ADV Bikes too. Tiger 800/900. Scrambler 900&1200 are also nice. Ducati scrambler is a little smaller but alright. Obviously all supermotos are great for us tall folks. But my KTM spent more time in the shop than on the track so I got rid of it. The newer 690 Models are pretty sturdy tho. Speaking of KTM the 890 Duke is great fun! The 1290Duke is ridiculous. Too ridiculous! My grail bike is the MT09. Just never got around to get one yet. But I rode one on several occasions and can only recommend it. So much fun! I love the Hayabusa as well 😂 But always thought you have to manhandle it around corners a little to much for my taste. But excited to try the new one! Well in conclusion... Honda doesn't have a lot of tall friendly bikes except its 80s/90s classics or the ADV Bikes. But look for Supermotos scramblers or sports touring bikes regarding your height. Some naked bikes also work with slight modifications. KTM Duke for example could use some lowered footrests. Speed Triple is fine. If you can just get a MT09 it's amazing.
@@amarured i failed to mention which specific sb500 i am looking at. the cb500x, it looks to have high ride height and also have ample power as a first bike that wont bore me out.
@@rAnge4Bl0w Ah yes! The X is great! My stepbrother actually had one! He had it completely kitted out with Luggage racks wich the suspension didn't really handled well. BUT overall it's great! Very comfortable for us tall folks! Even a little bit of wind protection although you might be the exact height were the wind from the screen directly goes to your helmet. But that's an easy fix. Also it's very easy to ride! Nice easy throttle and also very commanding riding position! They tried to make the bike more accessible for smaller people so the seat is kinda low in the middle. But that's also an easy fix. Stock exhaust is most boring thing ever and unbelievably heavy. But with aftermarket exhaust you get something decent out of that twin. Also look for some street oriented tires! Don't fool yourself with some rock hard touring tires or adv tires. Because with some decently sticky tires you can actually flick that thing around quite well! Also its a ver very practical bike! 9/10 for a first bike go get it.
What was so impressive about those early CBR300Rs was the price, they were so damn cheap, you'd see them everywhere, even compared to the R3/Ninja 300/400. I always though Honda dropped the ball not continuing to offer them here, as being very basic even by the standards of a few years ago didn't stop them selling.
Hey, yammie I've been watching your videos for quiet a few time, I really love your videos a lot. I looked into your new videos everyday also When will you review the CF MOTO 450SR?
I started riding in 2007 on a 2004 Ninja 250. It was so outdated, but it was a tank. I would’ve killed for a MT 03/Duke 390/Z400. New riders today are eating pretty well. I don’t see how they could do much better than the current crop of beginner bikes unless they start upping the price substantially.
But can I actually find one Yam!! Please let me know, I love my Benelli but a second bike is never out of the question and I would love learning track riding on that little thing
i bought a beginner bike for a commuter, as my 4th motorcycle, same motor as the KTM but its a 401 vitpilen cuz why not have a 44hp cafe overgrown grom? the quick shifter made it a blast and i stripped it naked completely, put case guards on it, and drop guards. popped a tune on it and i'm done
You are also forgetting that there were 250cc bikes in the 1990s that had 4 cylinders like the suzuki gsx-r250 or the yamaha fzr250 or the cbr250rr or the Kawasaki zxr250... All those beginner sport bikes had 45+hp even if carburated and revved beyond 17k rpms, so other than abs and fuel injection I think there could be better beginner bikes
My first bike was a used Ninja 250. I was 50. I bought it for $1,700 and sold it two years later for $1,700. Living on the Northeast, urban coast of the US, I had great "twistees" and the NJ Turnpike. 80 to 85 mph was fine. I'm 75 now and if I were brave (foolish) enough to get a bike, It would be a used Ninja 300 with a slipper clutch and fuel injection
The funny thing is beginners should always do highways last.. but where I live there’s only highways then the city so my like 2nd week riding I HAD to get on the highway.. and it’s not bad as people say
I think it would get boring rather quick. If I was a beginner I would be looking into a 600 minimum. If you have previous experience with dirt bikes and using the clutch and all that then the world is your oyster. I started off on a suzuki rf900r. I had years of dirt biking before that so it was pretty easy.
This may improve your bike. After break-in, change the fork oil. Use a premium brand. If you consult with an expert you may be advised to change or not change viscosity. In the big picture this is a low cost up grade.
I love my CB300R, it has just the right amount of power for the riding I like to do. The single sounds good, has solid mid-range torque and the bike is super light. I looked hard at the Duke 390 - I liked the looks and ergos of the CB300R better but I bet the additional 10-15hp of the 390 over the 300R would make it that much more fun.
I got the 300R last week as my first bike. Started learning to drive on it so long time since I get bored of it power wise lol. Also here in India traffic is heavy so I doubt I can use it to full potential inside the city.
@@pratyushsharma6655 i am considering that bike too, anything above a 400cc in India is kind off a waste. confused between the cb300r and the husqy vitpillen 250
@@kushfw my flatmate has vitpillien 250. I am not that experienced but after he drove mine he said v250 require constant gear shifting in city even if u are driving under 60. On 300R u can do 70 on 2nd gear and 20 on 5th if you have the skill. I don't have yet so I change gear every 10-15 kmph rn. Other than that I think both bikes are good. Gear shifting might be a bit smoother on 300R as per my experience as a noob. I found it easier to learn on 300R due it being lenient in gearing having long gears and smooth shifting. v250 has unique looks factor though.
Every time anyone does a video like this, it reminds just how great the Ninja 400 is. Just the perfect starter size and a two cylinder as well. That makes a fun difference as the revs go sky high. The bike is a great bike but so is that Ninja 400, for less.
Fortunately, the Asian market got a lot of high performance beginner bike like zx25r, zx4r, cbr250rr. beginner bikes with quick shifter, slipper clutch, riding mode 😅
ABS has saved my life when I first started riding. 3 months in, driving to work on my 2019 R3, an accident happened on the other side of a corner on the highway (going 75). Lost my cool, and put too much pressure on on my front brake. Had it not been for ABS, I would’ve possibly launched myself and possibly the bike as well
if you need it you need it.
@@dopeytripod that’s a fact, I def still needed it 3 months in. Never had an experience like that till then
@@bung0o Its a good back up. Don't rely on it though, practice good braking to where it becomes second nature.
ABS taught me in my first year that I was mashing the rear brake too hard. It would always activate under normal braking. It also taught me that you can really yank that front brake way more than you think before it kicks in. Basically, I was too heavy on the rear and too light on the front.
Increase reliability
My first bike is a KTM 390 2023. No shot it's way better than I expected. I drove my friend's cf moto 300 a while back for a month or 2 and the KTM is definitely a huge upgrade and just everything is smooth. Very easy to learn to ride and when you want to learn more advance ish moves and control the bike has a huge learning experience
I just crashed my '23 rc 390 at about 7:30pm this evening. I took a corner just fast enough to end up going too wide and ending up in a dirt ditch. I'm lucky. I'm totally okay, only a small bruise from my shoulder pad in the late 2000's track suit "Clarion Suzuki GSX-R/Yoshi" Real Leather branded. And maybe some minor whiplash. surprisingly I didn't break any plastics or parts, and it was mechanically intact. it only added a few scratches, a torn sticker, and some desert camo. Lol. Shout out to a couple driving by who witnessed my mishap and made sure I was okay, they also gave me a bottle of water and followed me home. Maybe there are some solid people left out there. Also, Alpinestars smx boots and 4SR gloves took it like a champ too. I got the gloves from Yam's site as well haha. Basically slow tf down enough to make the corner. ATGATT.
The object of the beginner bike is to not have something that is too fast, too heavy, or too complicated and let a beginner learn the basics before they get onto a highway.
While I absolutely agree, the only hard thing about a highway is getting over the fear of 70mph+ speeds. They are significantly safer than those small suburban rosds
Or just have 12 to 20 hours of mandatory driving lessons. A exam that proves you can handle the bike. A exam to prove you know your traffic laws and theory. And a exam to prove you are safe and to be trusted alone on the road. This is what we Dutch people have to go through to get our license (I'm almost there !!!). And it will cost you at least 1600 dollars and 3 months of dedication. All in all - it DOES work, rarely you will see an unexperienced motorcyclist with a license here. The exams are absolutely no joke either, more than half doesn't pass theory exam on the first try.
Your argument still holds truth though ! Your points are absolutely valid once i get to ride "on my own" without instructor. I'm just a bit frustrated i don't get to ride myself yet, sorry lol.
@@frankruisch8589 I fully support this! I personally took my MSF course in the US (which is a joke and the easiest thing ever, the only hard part was the long day in the sun). I realize many individuals opt to just ride without a proper endorsement, but it’s pretty concrete that taking an MSF course will teach you good fundamentals and build good habits from the first time that pull that clutch.
Cheers! And safe riding to you😊
@@frankruisch8589 Licensing is a joke here in the US depending on where you live. In Texas, where I live, most people who ride a motorcycle have ridden dirtbikes long before getting a license and ridden thru forest trails, in the country, etc. I rode 3 years without a license but then decided to get legal for the roads.
Its hard for people here to even drive a car or truck well.
@@frankruisch8589 exact same as we have to do in the uk. We still have the eu testing process. Just passed mine and the hours you have to put in and hoops to jump through is mad. Certainly gets you the basics though!
I test drove a duke 390 a couple years ago while I was getting new tires. I was very surprised by the power and maneuverability and wouldn’t mind having one as a smaller second bike!
Get a 401 husky then
@@Partnerthedog Yeah the Vitpilen 401🤘
I have a Duke 390 as my first bike. It's great given its limitations for what it is meant to be.. I'm Dieing to upgrade to an rs660..
Also, I wonder if the Husqavarna 401 would have been the better choice, better looks, better features, and better tires.
Don't get me wrong, I love my Duke, but loathe it's limitations.
Got a 22 Duke 390. Absolutely love it, small, light and zippy.
Also have a Duke 390 as my first bike. Love the thing it’s heaps of fun
The 401 Vitpilen and Svartpilen has all those features + the quick shifter as standard. The RC 390, and both 401’s are all great bikes. I’ve got an awesome 890, but I have so much fun riding the 401 Vitpilen too.
Same motor even 😂😂
Yes they all use the same single cylinder engine. Cool
Love the svartpilen, never got rid of mine. Glad I kept it because they stopped making the 701, they're great bikes. Really would be the pinnacle of a beginner bike.
@@dukie1616 I have the 2015 duke 390 and was eyeing off the svartpillen 401 because i like a bit of off road too. But mines such a fun bike id have to keep it.
@@adzz8012 yeah they really are great bikes
Best bike I’ve ever owned! Turns heads all the time, so light.. when I tell you it carves through wind like butter 🧈! Can’t wait to get this out on a track!!
I bought the new RC 390 about a month ago and I love it. I know for the American audience this is pretty small cc bike but I live in Turkey and has A2 license. The power very good for our standards especially after using Bajaj dominar 250 daily for a year.
Hayırlı olsun güle güle kullanın.
@@cemozcan3630 Teşekkür ederim. Daha iyileri sizlerin olsun🙏
Hayırlı olsun, rodajınızı bitirdiniz mi? Motorun performansından memnun musunuz? Biraz daha güçlü olsaydı keşke dediğiniz oluyor mu
@@burakhuseyinkunt8053 Hocam ikinci el 4000 km de aldım zaten. Ben ilk motorum olan dominar 250'den geçiş yaptım ve makina bana acayip deli geliyor. Yani öyle 250 cc üstü tecrübem yoktu benim ondan da olabilir ama kardeşim benden daha eski motorcu. Onunla almaya gittiğimizde denedikten sonra ilk yorumu "acayip bir makine, R25 bok yemiş"ti😂 alt devirleri boş motorun dominarın torku daha düşük devirlerde geliyordu. 5-6 bin devirden sonra kendine geliyor 8500 devirden sonra bir anda acayip deliriyor. Üst devirleri aşılı dolu yani. Birinci viteste tam gaz direkt kafaya geliyor. Çok seri motor. 0-100 4.5 saniye zaten. Kısacası bana şuan fazla bile geliyor😂
You get Bajaj bikes in Turkey? Buy the way, the 390 KTMs are also built by Bajaj.
Its interesting how the definition of "beginner bike" has evolved. My first bike was a 1966 Honda 90 with 5 HP. I started riding in 1967 when I was 14 years old. This was the minimum age for a bike in Oklahoma. The maximum power that a bike could have if you were under 16 years old was 5 HP. At the age of 14, a 300 cc bike would have been gigantic to me. 48 HP would have been unimaginable.
In the UK if you're 16-17 you can have a 50cc Scotter that makes out around 30-50mph (stock) at 17-19 you can get a A2 that let's you ride a 125Kw(14.9hp) bike as long as you do a Cbt and have L plates on the bike. from ages 19-21 you can have an A2 license that let's you have a 20KW (27BHP) to 35kw (47BHP) You can actually ride a motorcycle of any CC, however, it must be restricted to no more than 35kw (47bhp) ~it's a little strange they go of Kilowatt hours but It means some older big CC bikes can be ridden without restriction ~ finally age at age 21 you can do you're full bike licence for any bike..
imo if it doesn't fall under A1 license it's not a beginner bike. The rc does have a 125cc version so I give it a pass
I learned on a 90 Dream when I was 14...
First world problem, where motorcycle are allowed to enter the highway or your country is just really vast like the USA, here in Asia 250cc is considered as a flagship and given a "luxury item" tax by the government, so beginner bike over here is mostly 110cc scooter
We thought RD350's were fast with a staggering 39 bhp!
Nothing will beat the fun you can have on the 90s 250s and 400s sport bikes. Pocket rockets with revs for days
What's wrong with current 250-500s?
Also I'm hard excited about the ZX4R
I bought a KTM 390 Adventure after being off a bike for 12 years. Three years later I still have it and it is going well. It is fast enough to keep up with the highway traffic and has enough power to carry me around comfortably. The 390 Duke and RC390 are the sports versions of my bike and have a lot in common with it. I would recommend these bikes to anyone, depending on what they want to do with it. Mostly sealed roads or track days - go for the RC or the Duke. More offroad or an upright riding style - go for the Adventure.
Just bought a 2023, already through it's 900 miles break in cycle, and unlocked at the dealership. It's incredible. I have a few big bikes and non of them have the tactile feel that the RC has. You get so much for six grand. As an experienced rider of 20 years I never had a machine this lite and nimble. My face is numb from smiling after every ride. I really love the cornering abs and baby clutch pull.
The 2024 model with the quick shifter seems like the best starting bike with great value. I had wanted an MT-07 but the 2024 KTM RC390 has taken my #1 spot. Glad you’re having a great time with it, thanks for sharing, and ride safe :)
@@AlexKapitoshka This little bike is a total blast. It's punchy, handles corners like it sees the future and has a great look back factor. It's definitely a perfect more premium starter bike. It'll be forgiving enough that it won't get out of control and has more than enough power to keep a new rider happy for years. Since the last post I put another 2k miles on mine and it keeps getting better.
@@LordMcKrakenVonLittleBits do you know if KTM make a bigger RC? Or if the RC390 is tunable?
@@mwtraining4310 KTM makes the RC 8C but it's track only, in it's current form, ultra rare and cost about $41k. They did make an 1190 RC8 but finding one in good condition that hasn't been modified is also really rare. they pop up on cycletrader but the asking price is usually really high. Between 10 and 25 grand.
I Did an airbox mod, full exhaust and a tune but that was just to smooth out the throttle, take a little weight off and give it a broader power band. It did gain about 5 HP but that's very little gain for the $1600 it cost. Sounds better and is more responsive though but some consider modifying such a small machine a waste of money.
I love mine. I'm a advanced rider and this is my second gen for daily and I have almost every upgrade possible. Fuel X Lite ECU, bored out headers, mid-pipe, akcropovic debaffled racing slip-on, and both DNA filters. Just waiting for the development of the intake runners and if I ever blow it, I'll do a racing compression kit 😆 A bit loud but gets attention.
Have you dyno'd it? Id be curious to know what kind of power improvement you've seen with all the upgrades
Not yet, once all done in about 2 months then I will and post it.
I'm hoping around 55 but will see. She definitely pulls much better than stock.
Could you share with me a little more about the upgrades you did? It’s my first bike and I’m looking to possibly do some affordable upgrades and was wondering which ones you suggest
Só the dyno is done?
I own a RC390 took it to the track today, rides like a dream went 150kph around a corner with ease
Just bought a 2019 r3 as a second bike, man I love how I can push the engine to its limits and how light an agile feels on the road
...and in 2 weeks you'll wish you could upgrade
@@dopeytripod Anyone who thinks they are outriding an R3 in a couple of weeks, let alone a year are kidding themselves.
@@dopeytripod the r3 is my secondary bike, I also have a tryumph tiger 900
@@dopeytripod such a stupid opinion; I rode my 2012 ninja 250 happily for 7 years before ‘upgrading’ to an sv650 which I loved but decided the smaller capacity was more fun and simpler at low speed situations on the daily, I would take an RC390 anyday over every other bike on the market regardless of size or value
@@dopeytripod Been riding my cb500f for 5 years now, the only reason I'd want a different bike is sound. If Honda slapped a 270° crank in the 500, I'd just trade my cbf for a cbr.
I had thus bike for my M class test. It was an absolute blast to drive. 2nd gear is so torqued, I never really left 2nd.
Hey....the 250 NINJA got a TON of people riding and that's a good thing.
Better than nothing
Great video, as I former KTM RC390 owner, you were spot on.
One of your best videos, great content.
Keep it up the good work
im glad i live in a country where ABS is mandated in all new bikes. new riders need it most.
Cool that’s what I choose after a ton of research. I’m pumped looks fun
Think the question should be if we have reach beginner motorcycle RIDING. It's amazing how a rider that has reached a good level in a 390 can put a 600 rider to shame.
WORK ON YOUR SKILLS.
Good video, by the way.
One of your best videos Yam. Excellent intro to the history of the bikes in the category; the ride along was well stated; and the conclusion was tight.
Modern engineering, metallurgy, tolerances have become so good that engineers are able to squeeze exceptional performance out of a similar upper middle segment motors of yesteryear.
And it's a good thing, you need not spend too much pelf for the equipment that once were deemed exclusive to supersports, which is now standard on most A2 classes, kinda upps the ante.. a learning curve for a beginner rider.. fun for the experienced rider.
With today's middleweight punching way above their weight, they're probably only a couple of seconds behind their supersport counterparts in most cases.
Great video by the way!
For the type of riding I like to do, I'd take a 390 Adventure instead, but the RC390 is still pretty sweet.
I just paid the deposit on my first ever bike, this year’s Yamaha R125, it’s hands down the best 125cc you can get. I’m in the EU so gotta start with something less likely to kill me.
please don't tell me you actually splashed the 6k€ for one of those!!
Got mine 2 months ago love it. This little rc 390 has enough power...
my buddy just bought one last month, rode it a few times.. definitely a nice bike. the price was the most surprising to me, $5800... cheaper than the drz400's i'm looking at or other supermotos i'd like to have lol. but overall, good choice. my girl is interested in the duke 390 as a starter bike.
its so shameful that in eu its over 7000 €...
got my first bike a couple weeks ago, z400 i love it so much can’t wait to grow more into it
And once you feel abit bored, get a slipon you'll fall in love again
I love my 390 Adventure! It's a sweet little engine and handles great. It even does well on light single track and dirt roads.
The 390 Adventure is great. I think a lot of people sleep on it as a nice proper lightweight ADV.
Have you had the stalling issue?
@@trailrider1980 not at all 🤞,it's been perfect so far. I have 2100 miles on it since last September. Bought it brand new.
@@CMB911 thats good to hear
I Ride a piaggio bv350, yeah I know it's a scooter but still I love that thing. It's so fun! It has enough engine to move me around basically anywhere and it also has space under the seat.
A Ktm of any type will always be my dream bike 🥲
I had a solid beginner bike in the z650rs
Traded it in for the latest RC390 and I am so much the better for it! Kickass bike, better than anything on the Australian learner licensing right now, short of the R7 and MT07
In Australia myself on my L's, I'm set on the MT07 but maybe this is worth looking into as well for my second beginner bike :D
@@possummagic1341 if you're a beginner you shouldn't be thinking about having a second bike, my tip.
If you lack the common sense I'd also not advise the mt07 (someone like that will probably loop it pretty quick), but if you can control yourself you should be fine.
Bro the dealers want 13k€ for an R7 over here in Germany...
I was just looking at this bike in my area today.
270⁰ or 315⁰ parallel twin crank 390cc (same power)or 450 cc( 55bhp 5kg torque)
2" Higher clip-on than stock .
Husqvarna AERO 401 design .
Soft spring with strong dampers
Front suspension redesign like Motoinnos Ducati or a vyrus m2.
I have a 2022 duke 390 and by far the best exhaust is the competition werkes. I definitely recommend trying it out.
Now this!!! Is something everyone will love to ride as beginner 👀
Love ktm and was gonna start with one anyways!
Thankyou so much with the video!
there's so much content out there now on beginner bikes, and litre bikes for that matter, reaching an age that i'm starting to look at middle weight finishing sport naked bike to ride comfortably for the rest of my days, would like to see more that genre. i'm short legged and so far the Ducatti Monster is looking good. Light wet weight. Can order from factory with only a 30.5 inch seat height, not finding much to compare to. would be nice if someone put that type of vid together, nudge nudge. anyways, thank you for all the vids you put together.
For me the peak of beginner bikes would be if manufacturers were to develop and release some more small displacement triple or four cylinder models.
Kawasaki did a nice job on the ZX25R and the new ZX4R...more of the same please - from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha etc.
I'd personally love to see modern version of the old RVF400 'V4'...with fuel injection.
Yammie: Started on a R3 in 2015
Me: That was 3 years ago
Yammie: That was 8 years ago
🤨already‽
I cannot wait for you to get your hands on the ZX 4R or whatever that in-line 4 400cc Kawasaki bike is called. I had my R3 stolen a year ago and my itch is itching.
I've been itching the zx25r for over 4 years now, and now a 400 is supposed to come 🤤
Used to race, road, MX, ATV. Always scoffed at ABS until a few weeks back, when a deer, stopping mid- street, wanted to mount me on his wall. ABS hauled my 500 lb Kawasaki down from 60mph in an amazingly short distance. I grabbed too much panic brake and would have skidded into it!.. I just bought that 2023 RC390, As a last bike. Don't need 100 hp. A light weight, RC cup racer will do me fine, under the TON, here in the hills and river valleys of Southern Missouri. 😊 ✌
Crazy how advance these bikes are getting
The question is, is it needed.
Like if you look at Yamaha, they're now asking over 6k€ for a 125cc.. My cb500f wasn't 6k€ new.
In India this bike is HECK OF A LOT CHEAPER than a r3 or ninja 300 , it equates to around $3800 which is so so affordable 😅
We need this vs R3 comparison
I actually went from a 900 to a cbr250 to commute through a massive city (it took over an hour). The cbr did 80mpg+ and never skipped a beat. Light enough to ride in hard conditions. But good grief it was boring and slow. It did 36.000 miles in 4 years, only one chain and one tyre change. I added up the fuel vs the cost of changing the 900 to a new 250 and the depreciation cost more than the fuel savings. Moral of the story - once you have a big bike, keep it. The RC390 styling is really good. But again these are available at less than half price with a few 1000 miles on them.
I always love when they talk price, none of these bikes go for retail and most go with 10-15% premium.
i havethis bike...i opted above ninja 400 and R3 was not available...let me tell u..this bike fullfilled everything i wanted from a bike...such a fun to ride this beast...
I’ve owned two z400s and 2 ninja 650s all 2019 or newer and I’ve enjoyed the 400s the most
you've had 4 bikes (effectively 2 different ones) in the past 4 years?
@@Daniel-dj7fh no I’ve owned 5 My first was a new 2019 z400, my second was a ninja 650 krt with a blown motor that I rebuilt. I sold both of those to pay for the down payment on my house. Then I bought a totaled ninja 650 rebuilt it. Then sold it put some money in the bank and bought a beat up z400 to fix and ride. Then sold that one to pay off some debt. And the after I posted the comment above I bought my 5th bike its a 2023 ninja 400 that I bought to have fun with and start setting up for track.
@@The_LoFi_Political_Guy i see
My first bike was a 2005 Ninja 250. It was absolutely underrated. I could outgun most cars from a light without difficulty and do 70 mph all day on the highway. I had a 2023 KTM 390 Adventure for a short time and it was better, but not night and day considering the Ninja was designed in the 1980s.
I don't kinda like the visuals of that bike. But man I'm eager to try that thing so bad 🏍
Not sure the Ninja 250 deserves any hate. When I first got my license in 2000 I could either afford a used bike or a brand new Ninja 250 for the same price. Just over 3000 and I loved that bike for a year and a half till I was ready to step up. Did I take it to the SoCal canyons? No. But it handled the freeways and surface streets with ease, including riding it at least once a week to work, which was 45 miles each way, mostly freeway and it was perfect. I think for the times, when ALL bikes were pretty much carbs, it was perfect as a first bike. Light and tossable, enough power to really learn without getting yourself into trouble. And after that year and a half I traded it in, got 2500 and put that towards a new ZX-6R. Stepped up to that and had no issues. If I had it to do over again, I would have done it just the same. All that being said, it sure would have been nice if the Ninja 400 or KTM 390 existed back then:)
Agreed! Nothing wrong at all with the Ninja 250! I've been riding since 1989, and I only rode a Ninja 250 a few times but more than once nearly bought one as a second bike before finding a leftover new '17 Yamaha YZF-R3 with ABS at a price I couldn't pass up. I do believe the wee Ninja is still a heck of a lot MORE motorcycle than the current Suzuki 250 and maybe even the Honda 300; I know the last gen 250 had revised gearing and such and wasn't as quick but the one I rode which would've been the generation before it felt like it would murder the Suzuki and Honda, and could've almost given my R3 a run for the money. The GS500E wasn't such a bad bike either, I owned one of those once and yeah it had its limitations but was cheap, fun to ride being about as nimble as these 250-400 class bikes but with more HP if not up to the standards of other 500s (which were also more $$$$ and weighed more) and so long as you took care of it would never let you down. I do worry about the KTM as a beginner bike for that one reason, if it's as bad as its reputation it might not be so good for new riders still learning their stuff!
I like carburetors on motorcycles. When bikes sit for a long time, the gas gets gummy and turns into varnish and or dust. The carburetors can be cleaned and your good to go. On fuel injected bikes, the fuel pump and injecters are junk and need to be replaced. If all you buy is new or if you pay someone else to do the work, then I guess it doesn't really matter.
Bro I’m here 3 mins after release and there’s already SEVEN other comments. HOW???
You're fast, or you're last😂
Bikes in general have gotten to a point of diminishing returns, the only step left is make the bike ride itself almost.
BMW are working on that!
@@MotoJournoKris Didn’t expect to see you around here, small world ain’t it?
If Tesla made bikes (thank god they don’t, I bet something would fall off mid ride) they would already have made one that could ride itself.
Would be fun to track that bike. One could have a blast harassing larger bikes on a tight racetrack.
Love ya YammieNoob and Spite's Corner as well...finally subbed
Bro, papa yam is making his video more and more interesting
I tested the original rc390 once and was surprised how much I liked it.
Wicked bike! Easy and fun to just absolutely push it to the limits and toss it around like a toy bike.
Sadly that's exactly what it was to me.
A toy bike.
Because I'm like 6.5" and there was just NO WAY I could've ridden this thing properly for a longer time 😂
what bike do you ride being that tall. Im 6"4 and dont have a bike just yet but was cosidering the honda cb500 because it seems to be taller
@@rAnge4Bl0w Well i've ridden a few bikes over the years bc I've been in the lucky position to work at a dealership.
At the moment tho I only have my DR650 left. It was my first bike and I kept it ever since.
It's cheap to operate.
It's great fun because it can take some abuse and can take you over curbs into the woods or over fields and also it sounds great.
But.
It's not not really a sportsbike eh? 😂
The CB500F from 2013 onwards is not a big bike.
Its quite little.
The older models have a more relaxed knee angle but their also boring to ride.
I've greatly enjoyed myself on Triumph speed triples.
Obviously on ADV Bikes too.
Tiger 800/900.
Scrambler 900&1200 are also nice.
Ducati scrambler is a little smaller but alright.
Obviously all supermotos are great for us tall folks.
But my KTM spent more time in the shop than on the track so I got rid of it.
The newer 690 Models are pretty sturdy tho.
Speaking of KTM the 890 Duke is great fun!
The 1290Duke is ridiculous. Too ridiculous!
My grail bike is the MT09.
Just never got around to get one yet. But I rode one on several occasions and can only recommend it.
So much fun!
I love the Hayabusa as well 😂
But always thought you have to manhandle it around corners a little to much for my taste.
But excited to try the new one!
Well in conclusion...
Honda doesn't have a lot of tall friendly bikes except its 80s/90s classics or the ADV Bikes.
But look for Supermotos scramblers or sports touring bikes regarding your height.
Some naked bikes also work with slight modifications.
KTM Duke for example could use some lowered footrests.
Speed Triple is fine.
If you can just get a MT09 it's amazing.
@@amarured i failed to mention which specific sb500 i am looking at. the cb500x, it looks to have high ride height and also have ample power as a first bike that wont bore me out.
@@rAnge4Bl0w Ah yes! The X is great! My stepbrother actually had one! He had it completely kitted out with Luggage racks wich the suspension didn't really handled well. BUT overall it's great! Very comfortable for us tall folks! Even a little bit of wind protection although you might be the exact height were the wind from the screen directly goes to your helmet. But that's an easy fix. Also it's very easy to ride! Nice easy throttle and also very commanding riding position!
They tried to make the bike more accessible for smaller people so the seat is kinda low in the middle. But that's also an easy fix.
Stock exhaust is most boring thing ever and unbelievably heavy.
But with aftermarket exhaust you get something decent out of that twin.
Also look for some street oriented tires! Don't fool yourself with some rock hard touring tires or adv tires.
Because with some decently sticky tires you can actually flick that thing around quite well!
Also its a ver very practical bike!
9/10 for a first bike go get it.
@@amarured I can change the suspension though can't I, if I can't is it bad enough for it to be an issue
I’ve been wanting to start riding a lot lately. This and the R3 are what I’ve been looking at.
Go to the R7. It’s great with enough power for a beginner but not too much.
@@Cliffy_jr bro what 💀
The GP edition looks sick!!
What was so impressive about those early CBR300Rs was the price, they were so damn cheap, you'd see them everywhere, even compared to the R3/Ninja 300/400. I always though Honda dropped the ball not continuing to offer them here, as being very basic even by the standards of a few years ago didn't stop them selling.
Hey, yammie I've been watching your videos for quiet a few time, I really love your videos a lot. I looked into your new videos everyday also
When will you review the CF MOTO 450SR?
peep the new riding gear. looks cool and its definitely safe too.
It looks great!!! To bad it doesnt are available in bigger engines for more advanced riders. Rc 890 or something
I hope you’re including the naked variants of the motorcycles in the beginners category.
I started riding in 2007 on a 2004 Ninja 250. It was so outdated, but it was a tank. I would’ve killed for a MT 03/Duke 390/Z400. New riders today are eating pretty well. I don’t see how they could do much better than the current crop of beginner bikes unless they start upping the price substantially.
I started in 2009 on a 2005 Ninja 250. Yep, outdated but very reliable and I never had an issue. It was faster than a lot of people would think too.
Supercharged beginner bikes. Makes more sense than supercharging a 1000cc 4 cylinder.
I will get one As long as there’s no markup,those ADM in SoCal are crazy
Nahhh Yammi Scob. Honda cbr250RR is the one. 19,000rpm redline. The sound. Come on or, or Turbo Busa. Yesssss sirs. Flip flops and no shirt.
But can I actually find one Yam!! Please let me know, I love my Benelli but a second bike is never out of the question and I would love learning track riding on that little thing
The TFT instrument panel and rider customization package puts it WAY AHEAD of the ninja 400 I think....plus the optional quick shifter?! Yep!
Hey, YN. I've a second generation Duke 250. It's amazing as a beginner bike. Looks cool as well.
Build quality to be improved
Heavily anticipating your review of the new zx4rr
i bought a beginner bike for a commuter, as my 4th motorcycle, same motor as the KTM but its a 401 vitpilen cuz why not have a 44hp cafe overgrown grom?
the quick shifter made it a blast and i stripped it naked completely, put case guards on it, and drop guards. popped a tune on it and i'm done
I'm not a beginner but got a KTM Duke 390, and fuck man... it's a lot of fun.
I've had big and small. I'm waiting for a 300 turbo. 500, if I must.
You are also forgetting that there were 250cc bikes in the 1990s that had 4 cylinders like the suzuki gsx-r250 or the yamaha fzr250 or the cbr250rr or the Kawasaki zxr250... All those beginner sport bikes had 45+hp even if carburated and revved beyond 17k rpms, so other than abs and fuel injection I think there could be better beginner bikes
I went to check out an rc390 as my first bike, and as a short rider (5' 6") I didnt hardly fit on it at all. definitely sits taller people just fine.
I just bought one today. Can’t beat a 2023 for $5,000!
rc390 needs to sort out engine reliability. hopefully that's a focus.
nice to see adjustable suspension also. thats a big upgrade
Got a 2022 duke 390 it has the best handling and power in it's segment. But for high speeds and aerodynamics,RC390 is the best option.
I loved my 390 had it for 2 years and sold it for a zx6rr
Great pacing in this video 👍
Yeah, i can think of something: Turbo. Turbo everything!
My first bike was a used Ninja 250. I was 50. I bought it for $1,700 and sold it two years later for $1,700. Living on the Northeast, urban coast of the US, I had great "twistees" and the NJ Turnpike. 80 to 85 mph was fine. I'm 75 now and if I were brave (foolish) enough to get a bike, It would be a used Ninja 300 with a slipper clutch and fuel injection
The funny thing is beginners should always do highways last.. but where I live there’s only highways then the city so my like 2nd week riding I HAD to get on the highway.. and it’s not bad as people say
Please yam we all feel old enough without you remindin us the r3 came out 8 years ago 30 is right around the corner for us bro 😭😭😭
i really like the new video style. keep it up.
I think it would get boring rather quick. If I was a beginner I would be looking into a 600 minimum. If you have previous experience with dirt bikes and using the clutch and all that then the world is your oyster. I started off on a suzuki rf900r. I had years of dirt biking before that so it was pretty easy.
ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaah dirt bikes are absolutely nothing to do with super bikes stop trying to get people killed
If money isn’t a problem and you already know how to drive a manual transmission car, the Yamaha R7 is the best beginner bike..
Ari loves his Rc 390
i have been on bikes all my life and a 600cc is my go to !!!!
This may improve your bike. After break-in, change the fork oil. Use a premium brand. If you consult with an expert you may be advised to change or not change viscosity. In the big picture this is a low cost up grade.
wish they would make one of these with the 890 engine
I love my CB300R, it has just the right amount of power for the riding I like to do. The single sounds good, has solid mid-range torque and the bike is super light. I looked hard at the Duke 390 - I liked the looks and ergos of the CB300R better but I bet the additional 10-15hp of the 390 over the 300R would make it that much more fun.
I got the 300R last week as my first bike. Started learning to drive on it so long time since I get bored of it power wise lol. Also here in India traffic is heavy so I doubt I can use it to full potential inside the city.
@@pratyushsharma6655 i am considering that bike too, anything above a 400cc in India is kind off a waste. confused between the cb300r and the husqy vitpillen 250
@@kushfw my flatmate has vitpillien 250. I am not that experienced but after he drove mine he said v250 require constant gear shifting in city even if u are driving under 60. On 300R u can do 70 on 2nd gear and 20 on 5th if you have the skill. I don't have yet so I change gear every 10-15 kmph rn. Other than that I think both bikes are good. Gear shifting might be a bit smoother on 300R as per my experience as a noob. I found it easier to learn on 300R due it being lenient in gearing having long gears and smooth shifting. v250 has unique looks factor though.
I'm here to say that the 500 is probably better than the 300 because it's got more torque and 1 more cylinder's worth of sound.
@@pratyushsharma6655 got bored of the power whilst not being able to use the bike because of traffic, my humor
Every time anyone does a video like this, it reminds just how great the Ninja 400 is. Just the perfect starter size and a two cylinder as well. That makes a fun difference as the revs go sky high. The bike is a great bike but so is that Ninja 400, for less.
Its expensive in India man its like 7500$
I have noticed in South Africa, alot of bikers here always advise to start on a litre bike.
We kinda have the same laws and roads like America
Fortunately, the Asian market got a lot of high performance beginner bike like zx25r, zx4r, cbr250rr. beginner bikes with quick shifter, slipper clutch, riding mode 😅
Yammie Noob gives a text book lesson on trickle down economics 👍