Honda CBR400R vs KTM RC 390: Battle Of The Small Sportbikes

  • Published December 15, 2021
  • Views : 24729
  • 3 min read
  • By Team Zigwheels
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Both the CBR400R and the RC 390 have been heavily updated for 2022. Here’s how they stack up now

The Honda CBR400R might be a Japan-only bike but with its 2022 update, it’s become quite impressive. So much so that we can’t help but wonder how it stacks up against the overhauled 2022 KTM RC 390. Wondering the same thing? Well, here’s a paper-based comparo, setting things straight between the two.

Engine

Specifications

Honda CBR400R

KTM RC 390

Engine

399cc, twin-cylinder engine

373cc, single-cylinder engine

Power

46PS @ 9000rpm

43.5PS

Torque

38Nm @ 7500rpm

37Nm 

Gearbox

6-speed

6-speed
 

Both bikes remain mechanically unchanged for 2022. And it’s advantage CBR400R here, thanks to its higher peak power and torque figures. Not to forget, Honda’s twin-cylinder engines are globally lauded for their buttery smooth nature and high levels of refinement. 

Nevertheless, it takes nothing away from the RC 390. It might feature a smaller, single-cylinder engine but it’s only 2.5PS and 1Nm behind the CBR400R’s output. And for 2022, the RC 390 gets a new engine map and a 40 percent larger airbox, which should bump up its top speed and let it breathe more freely, thus bringing it very close to the CBR’s performance.

Underpinnings

Specifications

Honda CBR400R

KTM RC 390

Frame

Diamond

Trellis

Front suspension

Showa 41mm USD

WP Apex 43mm USD

Rear suspension

Monoshock

Monoshock

Front brake

Twin disc

320mm single disc

Rear brake

Disc

230mm disc

Front tyre

120/70-R17

110/70-R17

Rear tyre

160/60-R17

150/60-R17
 

In its latest update, the Honda CBR400R has gained a new Showa Separate Function fork and twin disc brakes up front. And this brings it right up there with the 2022 KTM RC 390. While the RC 390 does away with a single disc brake and slimmer tyres, the CBR400R packs twin discs up front and wider tyres, thus making it a close fight here. 

Giving the edge to the RC 390, though, are the lighter wheels, which we experienced on the new RC 200. These lighter wheels bring an added level of sharpness to the RC’s package, which should be great for track usage.

Dimensions

Specifications

Honda CBR400R

KTM RC 390

Wheelbase

1410mm

-

Ground clearance

130mm

158mm

Fuel tank capacity

17 litres

13.7 litres

Seat height

785mm

824mm

Weight

192kg (kerb)

155kg (dry)
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Again, a close match. Let’s dive into each bike’s forte. The lower seat height and larger fuel tank will definitely help the Honda edge out the KTM on the highway. Having said that, the CBR is quite a lot heavier and surprisingly, has less ground clearance than the RC 390. Yes, the RC 390’s seat height is a bit on the taller side but it shouldn’t be that much of a bother for the average Indian rider.

Features

 

Honda CBR400R

KTM RC 390

Digital instrument cluster

Yes (LCD)

Yes (TFT)

Connectivity

No

Yes

Quickshifter

No

Yes

Traction control

No

Yes

Supermoto ABS

No

Yes

Slipper clutch

Yes

Yes

LED lights

Yes

Yes

Adjustable levers

Yes

Yes

Adjustable fork

Yes

Yes
 

As you can see, the KTM RC 390 reigns supreme here, thanks to bits like a quickshifter, electronics, a TFT instrument cluster (with connectivity), and supermoto ABS -- all of which are absent on the CBR400R.

The CBR400R does get the basics on point, though, and offers a handful of usable features we certainly appreciate. 

However, the clear-cut winner here is the RC 390.

Verdict

If there’s one thing we learnt from this comparo, it’s that both these bikes are super capable and likable. Features aside, the CBR400R comes very close to the RC 390 in most categories, and we’d certainly want to take it home. But since the CBR400R is limited to the Japanese market, it looks like we’ll have to make do with the ‘22 KTM RC 390. And that’s not a bad thing at all, is it?

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