KTM RC 490 Confirmed On New Made-in-India Twin-Cylinder Platform
Aprilia RS 457, watch out! KTM’s new twin-cylinder sportbike is coming
Quick Highlights:
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The upcoming RC 490 to use the new Bajaj-KTM twin platform
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Will be completely different from the Chinese KTM RC 450
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Expected by late 2027
KTM has officially confirmed that it is working on the new RC 490, giving enthusiasts another exciting motorcycle to look forward to. The brand’s CEO recently revealed that KTM is developing two new motorcycles for the low to mid-size supersport segment – the RC 490 and the RC 790. Among the two, the RC 490 is particularly interesting as it is expected to be based on the new twin-cylinder platform that Bajaj and KTM are co-developing in India.
New Twin-Cylinder Platform Under Development
The upcoming RC 490 will be based on a brand-new made-in-India twin-cylinder platform that Bajaj and KTM are jointly developing. This platform is expected to power multiple future KTM motorcycles like the Duke series and the Adventure series. Overall it should offer better refinement, smoother performance and a more premium riding experience compared to the current single-cylinder 390 range.
Not The Same As The Chinese RC 450
While KTM already has an RC 450 on sale in China, the upcoming RC 490 will be a completely different motorcycle. The KTM RC 450 is built in partnership with CFMoto and is based on the CFMoto 450SR-S. It is currently exclusive to the Chinese market and is not expected to be sold globally. However, there is a slight chance that the RC 490 could look like the RC 450 in terms of the overall design.
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KTM 350cc Bikes Launch TimelineWhere Will The RC 490 Fit?
Although KTM has not revealed any technical specifications yet, the RC 490 is expected to slot between the current RC 390 and the upcoming RC 790 in the brand’s supersport lineup. It is likely to feature a new twin-cylinder engine that should deliver stronger performance and better refinement than the single-cylinder KTM RC 390.
Interestingly, the new 490 platform could eventually replace the 390 range in international markets. Since both motorcycles would offer almost similar levels of performance, KTM may not continue selling both globally. Also, the brand has not yet updated the RC 390 with the LC4C engine, and as the sales figures for the bike are quite low in India, the brand is expected to discontinue it soon.
Launch Expected By Late 2027
It is still unclear whether KTM will debut the new twin-cylinder platform with a naked streetfighter or the RC 490 supersport. The company has said that its future supersport motorcycles will benefit from its MotoGP experience, just like the recently unveiled 990 RC R and 990 RC R Track.
While KTM has not officially announced a launch timeline, motorcycles based on this new twin-cylinder platform are expected to make their global debut towards the end of 2027. If launched in India, the RC 490 could become an exciting option for riders looking to upgrade from the RC 390 without stepping into the larger middleweight motorcycle segment. It will also compete with the Aprilia RS 457 and the Kawasaki Ninja 500.
User Reviews
It's very comfortable bike and I enjoyed it a lot but it's mileage is not a fact ... Because it's very fun to Ride it's engine is so refined that I can easily pull it up in traffic.... It's pick up and top speed is so good and it's graphics designing and electronics are so spoty and usefull ... Highly recommend to ride it once Read More