Buying Guide
R25 vs Ninja 400 vs MT-03: 2026 A2 Sport Table
Yamaha R25 vs Kawasaki Ninja 400 vs Yamaha MT-03: kW, weight, seat, tank. A2 35 kW cap and who should buy which.
R25, Ninja 400, or MT-03?
The Yamaha YZF-R25 is about 26 kW / 35.5 PS from 249 cc. The Yamaha MT-03 EU sheet lists 30.9 kW (42.0 PS) at 10,750 rpm, 321 cc, 167 kg wet, 780 mm seat, 14 L tank. The Kawasaki Ninja 400 EU line is 33.4 kW (45 PS) at 10,000 rpm, 399 cc, 168 kg wet, 785 mm seat, 14 L tank. A2 in Turkey caps at 35 kW and 0.2 kW/kg. These three factory rows sit under 35 kW. Still read kW on the title. Do not trust listing hp.
R25 is not an MT-03. Displacement and oil fill differ. The Ninja 400 is not a Ninja 250 or 300.
| Item | YZF-R25 | MT-03 | Ninja 400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 249 cc | 321 cc | 399 cc |
| Power (typical) | ~26 kW / 35.5 PS | 30.9 kW / 42 PS | 33.4 kW / 45 PS |
| Torque (typical) | ~22–23 Nm | 29.5 Nm @ 9,000 rpm | 37–38 Nm @ 8,000 rpm |
| Wet weight | ~166 kg | 167 kg | 168 kg |
| Seat | ~780 mm | 780 mm | 785 mm |
| Tank | ~14 L | 14 L | 14 L |
| Stance | Faired sport | Naked, upright | Faired sport |
| Best for | First faired sport | City + corners | Highway torque |
Which one is A2 legal?
The Ninja 400’s 33.4 kW is under 35 kW. 33.4 / 168 kg is about 0.199 kW/kg. MT-03 is about 0.185. R25 has more margin. If the title says restricted, confirm the restrictor is real. US or grey-import kW can differ.
City, canyon, highway: who wins?
City and shorter riders: MT-03, high bars, 780 mm seat. R25 and Ninja put you lower and more forward. Ninja 400 torque at 8,000 rpm pulls harder on exits and highway passes. R25 wants 12,000 rpm for peak power. Used R25s are plentiful. Ninja 400 prices stay firm.
Two-up is harsh on all three. MT-03 is slightly kinder. None is a tourer.
Service and tires
All three: chain, liquid cooling, 17-inch wheels. Oil intervals follow each brand’s book. Turkey R25 shops often talk 6,000 km oil. Ninja 400 manuals often print 12,000 km oil. Do not copy R25 litres onto an MT-03. Ninja rear tire is often 150/60. Yamaha twins often 140/70.
Who should buy which?
R25: first faired sport, budget, stepping up from A1. MT-03: daily city, upright, more torque than an R25. Ninja 400: highway and cornering torque at 399 cc. Test stance, an 80–100 km/h pass, and both feet down.
Keep records
Log title kW, oil, and tires. RPMVault garage: RPMVault motorcycle garage
Sources
Intervals and legal rows start from these sources. They do not replace the owner's manual in the toolkit.
- RPMVault editorial standards
- Manufacturer owner's manual for the bike's market
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy an R25 or a Ninja 400?
Ninja 400 for torque and highway (33.4 kW, 399 cc). R25 for budget and a first faired sport (~26 kW, 249 cc). Read kW on the title.
Is the MT-03 slower than the Ninja 400?
On paper yes: 30.9 kW vs 33.4 kW, 321 vs 399 cc, 29.5 Nm vs about 37 Nm. In town the MT-03’s bars can still feel easier.
Is the R25 the same engine as the MT-03?
No. 249 cc vs 321 cc. The R3 shares the MT-03 displacement family. Do not copy oil fills.
Is the Ninja 400 A2 legal?
The EU sheet is 33.4 kW, under 35 kW. Confirm 0.2 kW/kg on the title. Do not assume a restricted import is full power or the reverse.
Which uses less fuel?
The R25’s smaller engine should sip less in theory. Rider and tire pressure dominate. Tanks are all about 14 L.
Does this include the Ninja 500?
No. Different generation. Do not apply 400 rows to a 500.
Next step
Log the service calendar in your garage, or open model specs in the catalog.