Motorcycle specifications KTMRC 390 2014 Light, sporty fun

bMW HP4, CBR 1000 SP, Ducati Superleggera... The world of sports bikes begins with the dream and continues with the dictatorship of time, power and efficiency. The market is suffering, but the hypersports war is as intense as ever. In this shadow, another battle is taking place, a discreet, even timid one, involving the protagonists of another vision of the sports bike. One that's light, fun, with numbers that don't make you dizzy, and fun in the pistons... or rather, in THE piston. This niche, that of medium-displacement sportbikes, is the target of the RC 390. Alongside it in the starting blocks are the Kawasaki Ninja 300 R and Honda CBR 300 R.

as always with KTM, the design is bold and retina-cracking. Based on the 390 Duke roadster, the RC has enough personality to totally eclipse the presence of its sibling. A little taste of RC8-R? Not so much in spirit as in design. But is it a Duke with a new look? No, Katoche wants a little sporty in the eyes as well as in the paws. While the engine remains untouched, the chassis is optimized.

the heart of the RC 390 is its 373 cm3 single-cylinder engine. It's a no-nonsense machine, with a nice little character, more gniak in the revs, 44 hp and 3.6 mkg in the boiler.
The machine's trump card is its weight. At 147 kilos, this RC promises to be carried like a bird between squirrels. The chassis will keep up. The differences with the Duke are to be found in the geometry of the rigid trellis frame, reworked for greater dynamism. The tilt angle of the steering column and the shorter caster and wheelbase contribute to the responsiveness of the RC models, which are much more at ease on the racetrack. Compared to roadster suspensions, travel has been reduced and settings are more incisive. The tubes of the 43 mm WP inverted fork are the same diameter as those on the Superbike 1190 RC8-R.
Although it doesn't bear the RC8-R name, the brakes have been developed in collaboration with Brembo. Given its weight, the 300 mm front disc with 4-piston radial caliper will have no trouble slowing down the RC 390. A 230 mm disc with 1-piston caliper will be more suitable for tightening up a trajectory. ABS is fitted as standard, and can be disconnected for track use.

with all these technical features, the RC 390 is an A2 license bombshell. Keen to show off its style, KTM has given itself a single-seater-type rear end... but this trompe-l'oeil, made of foam, means it can take a passenger. A good opportunity to discover the sport while having fun, before venturing into the demands of super and hypersports.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos