KTM RC 390 (2016-2022)

'Ready To Race' has always been KTM’s motto, and nothing fits the bill better than the RC 390, well, at least in India. The bike which was launched back in 2014 received constant updates over the years to keep it looking fresh. The latest iteration of the RC 390 was recently launched with a new paint scheme - Black and Orange, along with features like wider mirrors, more comfortable seat, adjustable levers, and a ride-by-wire throttle. 

Armed with a 373cc, single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine it manages to put out 43PS of power and 36Nm of torque. This makes the KTM RC 390 the most powerful motorcycle in its class. 

Under the skin lies a trellis frame with 43mm upside-down forks and a fully adjustable monoshock at the rear which gives the RC 390 exceptional agility and handling. Braking duties are handled by a single 320mm disc up front and a 230mm rear disc brake. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard.  With the kind of equipment on offer, the KTM RC 390 makes an incredible value for money proposition for all those looking for a track-focused motorcycle.

Even with over 4 years under its belt, the KTM RC 390 still looks aggressive as ever thanks to constant updates. The sharp front end encompasses two split projector headlamps and DRLs, while a transparent windscreen wraps around the front fascia. Its rear view mirrors are now wider than before for better visibility. The bike gets a new gloss black and white paint scheme with its trademark orange colour trellis frame and wheels. This paired with hints of orange on some of the panels make the bike look a lot sportier than before. 

Another welcoming change is the underbelly exhaust, which makes way for a side-mounted BSIV-compliant one. Furthermore, the RC 390 now gets adjustable levers for front brake and clutch, ride-by-wire throttle and slipper clutch, features that make the bike a benchmark in its class. Aside from the aforesaid updates, the bike remains unchanged. 

The KTM RC 390’s larger 320mm front disc paired with the rear disc brake and ABS offer better stopping power. Additional, the slipper clutch supplements its handling capabilities as it negates wheels hops during hard downshift, while the premium sticky tubeless tyres offer immense grip. On the other hand, its AHO projector headlamps have a two-fold approach: it acts as a safety feature during the day and provides sufficient illumination at night.

The Supersport retains the same 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. However, it does get a couple of new upgrades like a new CAN BUS system derived from KTM’s Moto3 WSBK bike, new Bosch fuel pump and a new Evaporative Emission Control System (EVAP). This translates to a slightly higher torque figure of 36Nm – 1Nm more from the previous engine. On the other hand, the peak power output stays the same at 43PS.

Thanks to these additions, the power delivery feels aggressive, a lot more refined and less snatchy than before. Though the 6-speed gearbox is the same unit as before, the addition of a slipper clutch prevents wheel hops during hard downshifts. Our only quibble here is the small 11-litre fuel tank which will have you hitting fuel stations quite often. 

The fantastic trellis frame that gives the RC 390 its superior handling capabilities hasn’t been fiddled with. It continues to ride on WP 43mm USD forks and a fully adjustable monoshock paired to a rear aluminium swingarm. The suspension setup is on the stiffer side which gives the RC 390 scalpel-like handling characteristics. That said, its committed riding posture coupled with the stiff ride can be problematic for long hauls.

Another change worth mentioning is the RC 390’s new 320mm disc brake up front, which is 20mm larger than its previous iteration. It gets a 230mm disc brake at the rear and dual-channel ABS as standard. Comparatively, its slightly tweaked braking setup offers progressive braking and better bite.