Motorcycle specifications KTMRC 390 2022 A young cheetah?

KTM knows how to combine sport with brilliance. In rally-raid, cross-country, enduro, off-road and Moto3, the brand has nothing to learn and nothing to prove. On the road, the Superduke 1290 is one of the most muscular roadsters on the market. When it comes to sports bikes, however, the Austrian company has yet to produce an offspring of theold RC8.

As a result, the RC range defends its sporting flag in sliders with a 125 and a 390, not to mention the RC 890 8C, a true pistard's weapon, but one that is rare, exclusive and not suitable for road use. What a strange gap, almost 1 liter in displacement, between its most "powerful" sports bike and its hairiest roadster. But the RC 390 doesn't see it that way. It intends to hold on to the power of its class and show it at its best.

It' s not a facelift; the all-new bodywork is the result of extensive in-house work. Less distinctive, but still sporty, the fairing is somewhat in line with the category's "visual norm". Superimposed side panels create a pleasing relief, while giving the RC 390 more presence. The lower section is less clothed than before, and the rear frame is more svelte. Even the strange seat (in one piece with the stern) has conformed to a more classic design.

KTM has also transformed the RC's unusual lenticular look. The optics now resemble those of the Adventure, but simplified. The windscreen has changed shape, but retains its distinctive feature of covering the entire fork head.
As if to show that it has more potential than you'd think, its volumes have been enlarged - making it look like a superior motorcycle. It's not just a question of "it's got to look good", but also of aerodynamic optimization. To show its rider that it wants to share emotions with him for a long time to come, the fuel tank has grown from 4.2 liters to 13.7.

but what the mid-range RC wants is to eat track. It dreams of a championship, like the SuperSport 300, so it has worked to ensure that its fairing can be easily removed and replaced by a poly. Then, to limit the weight. Or rather, weight gain. The first-generation RC 390weighed 147 kilos - the new one 155. But no effort has been spared: the frame, now with a bolted rear buckle, has a new design, but above all it has gained 1.5 kg. Bybre brakes save 960 grams. Most impressive of all are the wheels. Nothing less than 3.4 kg have been lifted, and as this mass disappears from the unsprung mass, it's all to the good for agility.

The engine hasn't evolved much technically, but optimizations have been made. Euro5 required the addition of an even larger (and undoubtedly heavier) plenum chamber. The mono-engine is able to counter the constraints with a frank response. More torque and power. The larger airbox and a new mapping gain 2 Nm, with the max available a hair earlier. Maximum power is still 44 hp, but reached at 9,000 rpm instead of 9,500.

The RC 390 can still count on its short wheelbase for fast cornering, and now also on better suspension. The 43 mm upside-down fork benefits from Apex technology, as well as compression and rebound adjustments. Each workshop can be adjusted to 30 positions, easily using the small knobs at the top of the tubes. The same Apex certification applies to the rear monoshock, which offers preload and rebound adjustment.

revamped in many respects, the self-proclaimed pistarde offers its rider 10 mm height-adjustable handlebars and wristbands, better-designed ergonomics and a much nicer color TFT screen than the old LCD mini-tablet. It also pilfers some of the family's technology, normally installed in much beefier models. This bike gains traction control, active when cornering please! The ABS is also active, and there's a Supermoto mode for cutting in on the rear and playing with the glide. For the shifter, you'll have to go to the options section.

The new KTM RC 390 is on its toes. Anyone who has lived through the glory days of the 600 SuperSports will find it hard to understand why a 400 would be so keen on the track. But just look at the competition's catalogs. No more CBR 600s, an R6 for track use only, MV F3s and Daytona 675s gone, GSX-Rs only in other parts of the world... Old-timers will think of the VFR 400 NC 30 and ZXR 400...
You'll still be wrenching, but with less power and tighter trajectories, which will be of paramount importance with these small bikes. A2, knees and elbows on the ground?!? The KTM is making eyes at you, the slate is salty and the mono has to be whipped.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos