Well let's add some background to the conversation.
They would be for 2 teenagers. It is to be a stepping stone before a larger race bike.
Now given that, a small 300-400 cc bike as a step up from a 250 cc bike even before a SV650 is desirable.
However, when you compare the cost of the RC390 at its MSRP, plus freight and PDI (which really doesn't differ between any new RC390, R3, or Ninja), plus taxes, and any parts for making it race ready, the total price begins to climb rapidly.
I can tell from your prior posts that you know what PDI is. Go price the options on the list of small displacement bikes for a crate price. Everyone I have talked to moves. KTM? Nope. Same quoted price.
To add an Akrapovic end can to an R3 is about half the price as the Akrapovic for the RC390. (as I can only get it from KTM). At least from my searching.
Price out some parts since most people do eventually have a get off. The bin of spare parts for the KTM will be much higher. Just the end can alone let alone a throttle tube or triple adds up quickly.
In comparing the RC390 to just the R3, I see a premium on the RC390 of $2300 once I have the bike, with just a slip on. Without race bodywork, a different rear shock, and some spare parts. Just the bike and a slip on. Street bodywork still attached.
If I was looking to get 2 bikes. The gap grows bigger for me overall.
So we come to my conclusion. The RC390 is too much money for me. If I was to get such a class of bike, then I would look at the R3, or as I stated in my prior post a late model SV650.
Nowhere did I compare the RC390 to an SV650 other than in terms of my conclusion of my cost/benefit choice for me.
No where in my post did I offer up any opinion against low cc bikes and that I need a bigger cc bike cause the small cc bikes just aren't manly enough.
JustinRR, you are good at listing MSRP prices. Go shopping and tell us what the dealers are willing to move them at. That I have done. Its a far better comparison.
KTM dealers only want my deposit. They think that they will sell their alotment at MSRP. That's ok. Just won't be to me.
The SV650? Got one for under $2000. Hunting for another. Maybe I'll get another for the same price. Lots of spare parts available.
I like the RC390 as I said.
Why it turned for you into some small cc bash I have no idea. Why you think that it is the god of small cc bikes I don't get either. Heck, I have yet to be able to even sit on one.
To me it seemed like the best option for my kids, but I just can't convince myself the premium $ for it gives me anything that I can't get cheaper.
I even tried to see about the MotoAmerica version with all the bells and whistles added. But $9100 USF plus plus for the bike (that isn't even offered in Canada) was just too much. Heck I could own one but then I guess not have money to go pay entry fees or buy tires for it.
Written like an idiot? Alright, professor.
Yes, your post gave that impression because you were comparing a SV650 to an RC390, they're not even close to being the same sort of bike. You also happened to be the post I quoted to express my general disdain with the thread, so you weren't deserving of all the ire.
Pray tell, what pricepoint do you think this bike should have been offered at? I'm disappointed they didn't include a 2nd front brake disk, but other than that I feel it's a great offering. Higher-spec could easily nudge this bike near 5 figures.
