Conclusion
It might sound like hard work trying to make A2 bikes fun, but in reality they’re a proper bloody laugh. I had more fun on these bad boys around Castle Combe than I did on my stupidly fast thou’ race bike. These A2 bikes most certainly weren’t the compromised, bland outcasts of motorcycles that I was expecting them to be. Better still, they were all pretty different, which spiced the job up no end. It’s easy to break them down by their virtues, with the Honda being that sensibly dressed, pragmatic performing boffin that every school seems to boast.
No, it wasn’t very exciting, but it sure as hell delivered, albeit it in its own unique little way. Fast? No. A great handler? No. But it was without a doubt an easy bike to ride, and so long as you didn’t push it to within an inch of its life, it ticked most of the boxes. But if we were after comfort and not excitement, we would’ve gone to DFS and bought a sofa, which is why we love the RC390 so much – not only is cheaper than the Ninja by £500, but it’s raw, exciting and sporty which is everything a KTM should be, feeling the most like a downsized sportsbike. I just bloody loved it. Maybe it’s the racer in me, but I was drawn in fully by its sporty nature that offered no compromises in the pursuit of cornering nirvana. Cool looking, great handling and arguably the one of the trio that seemed most ardent on making a strong statement. If only it hadn’t of been so blooming slow.
Speaking of speed, that’s one thing the Kwacker wasn’t lacking in. This is the bike I ride day in, day-out and I know first-hand just how genius it is on the roads. Okay, it can’t match the KTM in the corners when you’re really clocking on, but it’s just as good if not better in every other department. It’s an easy bike to ride, that looks the shizz and makes you feel like you’re riding a big bike – that’s got to be worth a few extra bonus points, right? Kawasaki’s played the long game here. There’s loads of ways to knock the Ninja 250 and 300 that’ve come before it, but the 400 is nothing short of saucy. For me, it was the best all-round package and if I had to put my name to the best bike of this trio, you’d have your winner right here.
On the roads, it’s the perfect mix of quickness and comfort, and while it’s got imperfections, it’s the fastest on track. Fast, comfortable and looks the part. But the best bit? It’s not flawless, so when the new wave of learner legals arrive, things are going to get even tastier…