Next generation KTM RC390 out and about

Our sneaky snapper spots next year’s bike being tested on Austria’s roads

First introduced at EICMA back in 2013, KTM’s RC390 has cemented itself as one of the go-to choices for A2 licence holders looking for a midcapacity sportbike.

Originally earmarked for sale in predominantly growing markets including Asia and South America, it sits in an extremely important segment within the motorcycle market. That’s reflected in the growing number of models on offer with similar technical specifications. There’s the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Honda CBR500R and a new Yamaha YZF R3.

As is the case with most of KTM’s smaller capacity machines, the RC390 will be developed and produced in conjunction with the Austrian brand’s Indian partner and stakeholder Bajaj, just like its new 390 Adventure, which we brought you recently the first photos of it undergoing testing.

The spy shots of the next generation RC390 in Austria give us a good idea of what to expect for 2020. First off there’s a modified handlebar, a bigger tank, more substantial brakes up front and, by the looks of it, a large full- colour TFT-instrument panel. That’s not all, as it appears that the rear subframe has been re-designed too, presumably in an attempt to help offer more comfort for pillion passengers, while its frame has only been modified slightly.

It’ll be powered by KTM’s well known and well loved 373cc-single-cylinderengine, which will be improved by the addition of a new cylinder head, a new exhaust manifold and a new big premuffler to ensure the bike meets Euro 5 emissions and noise level regulations.

That’s about as much as we know about KTM’s new machine. We can speculate about the fairing, which we’ve heard will have a notably RC8 feel too it, but in reality, we’ll just have to wait until the bike either appears in the flesh at one of the big bike shows later this year, or is caught out testing in a closer to finished form, to see how this bike ends up when it’s street ready.