For a straight beginner bike, the Yamaha YZF-R3 and Ninja 400 are both great choices. If a winner had to be picked, the Ninja 400 comes out a tad ahead just because the engine has a little more juice in it for about the same price. This is also the conclusion Cycle World came to in a comparison of the two bikes, and it’s tough to argue against it. With them priced practically the same, it doesn’t hurt to get more displacement out of the engine so you don’t feel like you’re hitting a wall faster, especially when the riding characteristics are similar.
To be fair, Yamaha’s bike is a solid choice — and if that’s what you go with you won’t feel like you wasted your money by any means. Your best bet is to find a test ride of both of them if possible, because factors like comfort can come into play, and everybody’s different in that regard. Cycle World said the Yamaha motorcycle was less comfortable than the Ninja 400, but your experience could be different for your body type. The Ninja has a curb weight of 361.6 pounds (366 pounds for ABS) while the Yamaha has a 375-pound wet weight. There’s a difference, but it shouldn’t have too much of an impact on your riding.
