About a year ago, Austrian magazine, Motorrad Magazin, shared photos of what seemed to be a test mule of an upcoming KTM RC 390.
Due for an update to meet Euro5 emissions standards anyway, it would be prudent for the House of Mattighofen to make some cosmetic changes too. The new model is expected to hit the showrooms soon.
KTM’s website seemed excited to reveal the updated RC 390 and posted the photos way ahead of schedule. Unfortunately, they them down shortly after.
Of course, the internet is very unforgiving and had already saved the photos even before the website’s admins were able to take the images down.
What's new?
There's no news about KTM developing a new engine for their 390 model lineup, so we can expect the same 373.2cc engine that has powered the previous Duke 390. Expect slight modifications to make it Euro5-compliant.
The most evident are cosmetic changes, the graphics especially. They take inspiration from the Red Bull KTM MotoGP team, while the dual projector headlight setup is replaced by a larger single unit LED headlight. Out goes the beak, as well as the extended windshield. It's topped off by a MotoGP-inspired exhaust tip.
A revised clip-on handlebar and subframe is also evident, which is then complemented by what seemed to be a larger fuel tank to improve the bike’s ergonomics.
The TFT screen looks the same as the outgoing version but is expected to give the rider more control over the bike’s settings, ABS, and traction control. It is also expected to be Bluetooth-enabled to let the rider control calls, music, and possibly navigation through the bike’s handlebar toggle switches. We have yet to see if KTM will give this new RC 390 some riding modes like its larger siblings in the Mattighofen stable.
Let’s just hope that when this is launched here in the country, the SRP will still be affordable enough. The RC 390 has been a great choice for those looking for a sportbike that they can ride to work every day and use the expressways on weekends.
