Sometime back, KTM's Chief Executive Officer Stefan Pierer had revealed that the second line-up of motorcycles, following Bajaj-KTM alliance, will be launched soon under the tag of RC series. Well, probably the time for fruition of the revelation made earlier by the CEO himself has come, as the company, according to rife news, is clearing way to launch the much awaited KTM RC390 bike in the Indian automobile market. Notably, the RC series ties knots closely as being the small sibling to the top-spec model, the RC8. The first in-line RC to hit roads is likely to be KTM RC390. Incidentally, earlier along with RC390, KTM revealed RC200 and RC125 at the EICMA show, but did not displayed their production models. Instead, it simply chose to display heavily customised versions of all three listed bikes.
As was expected and stated by many industry experts, RC models are built on the same underlying platform as the Dukes, with respect to engine and bike frame. This essentially means that the bike will feature a 373 cc liquid-cooling and Bosch fuel injection engine, which is found in Duke 390. This engine boasts of a balancer shaft to quell vibration and 3-way catalytic converter for keeping emissions low. Reportedly, no changes in the gearbox, with its vertically stacked shafts, has been made. Furthermore, KTM is like to continue with the same primary sprocket. However, it must be noted that the rear sprocket is smaller in size, allowing RC390 to squeeze out 10 kmph more. The weight of this bike is 147 kg, little higher than that of the 390 Duke, but unlike the latter, the former has managed to meet the European A2 license power-to-weight ratio norms.
Thus, it would be interesting to see the on-road performance of this bike. The RC390 bike will be faster flat out for sure, but there is still ambiguity if it would be able to surpass Duke in terms of acceleration. Only a test drive can bring out the certain fact about the performance of this bike on the acceleration front. The trellis frame has been used to hold off this bike together with 43mm upside down forks and rear monoshoock. For imparting a sporty touch, KTM has reduces the front suspension travel from 150 mm (Duke) to 125 mm while retaining the same 150 mm rear distance. A stiffer damping, so as to control chassis behaviour at high-speeds, is likely to be incorporated in this bike, though such information is yet to be authenticated by company officials. Other key highlights of this bike would be 300 mm front disc with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Metzeler tyres.
This bike neatly houses dark, twin lamp with a short beak, which is pretty distinctive in nature and adds to its appeal. Only disadvantage that the bike seems to suffer at present is its 10-litre tank that limits the total distance covered to 200-225 km, between refuelling stations. Just like the 390 Duke, the RC390 too will be sold in all major KTM markets. The sales of this model in the Indian auto market is likely to commence from February 2014, after its launch at the 2014 Auto Expo. The expected price of this bike ranges between Rs. 2.2 lakh and Rs. 2.4 lakh; however nothing is confirmed as of now.
