Yamaha R3 vs Kawasaki Ninja 300
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Yamaha R3
Kawasaki Ninja 300
Horsepower (hp)
42 hp
39 hp
Torque (Nm)
29.6 Nm
27 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
180 km/h
170 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
169 kg
172 kg
Type
Sport
Sport
Horsepower
42 hp @ 10,750 rpm
39 hp @ 11,000 rpm
Torque
29.6 Nm @ 9,000 rpm
27 Nm @ 10,000 rpm
Top Speed
180 km/h
170 km/h
Weight
169 kg (wet/curb weight)
172 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
3.8 L/100km or approximately 26 km/L (typical real-world average)
3.7 L/100km or approximately 27 km/L
Fairing
Yes
Yes
Individual Reviews
Yamaha R3
8.0/10
"The sharpest entry-level sportbike bargain you can buy used today."
Pros
+Rock-solid engine reliability
+Affordable insurance and running costs
+Teaches real cornering skills
Cons
−Buzzy above 80mph
−Suspension soft stock
−Pillion accommodation is awful
Kawasaki Ninja 300
8.0/10
"The benchmark used starter bike that actually delivers on its promise."
Pros
+Bulletproof parallel twin engine
+Genuinely sorted chassis dynamics
+Strong used parts availability
Cons
−Drop damage extremely common
−Rev-hungry above 8,000rpm
−Rear brake feels wooden