KTM RC 390 review, road test

Propelling KTM’s RC390 is exactly the same engine from the Duke 390, a 373.3cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled and fuel-injected gem. The RC390 blasts to life with the push of a button and promptly settles into an exciting and ‘ready-to-race’ note. This responsive engine packs 42.9bhp of power at 9,000rpm and peak torque, 3.57kgm is produced at 7,000rpm. The short-stroke (89mm x 60mm bore and stroke) engine comes with dual overhead camshafts to drive its four valves, enabling strong power from just over idle, all the way up to its 10,300rpm rev limiter.

KTM has equipped the RC390 with a forged piston, and Nikasil-coated cylinder well, all working to increase overall performance. The KTM RC390’s engine sounds best when revved high. An unadulterated response from its lightweight throttle unleashes all 42.9bhp without hesitation. The well weighted clutch feels just right while pushing the bike on the highway, and performs smoothly when riding in city too. The close-ratio, six-speed transmission ensures precise shifts in a one-down, five-up pattern; and the RC390 accelerates so quickly that quickshifts and an open throttle will reward you with high speeds in a jiffy.

The motorcycle is capable of cruising speeds of 130kph in sixth with relaxed ease. The powerful KTM RC390 is also capable of boisterous acceleration; we took it past 60kph from a standstill in 2.93 seconds, 100kph in 6.15sec, and thereafter to 150kph in 16.34s during our performance testing. The RC390’s third gear is good for 101kph, fourth for 124kph and fifth pulls you all the way up to 148kph. With still more in reserve, the RC390 on test with us touched a true 160kph in sixth. Perhaps the RC390’s biggest Achille’s heel, is the engine revving across its wide powerband to meet its 10,000rpm limiter, which feels like it’s arrived to quickly for a track focussed bike like this, where you don’t want to be caught out needing to shift gears mid corner, and a bit more revs would have been really welcome.

To its credit, the KTM RC390’s 36kg engine displayed refined, smooth manners and stayed vibe-free throughout this test.