2018 KTM RC390 Review

Welcome to the KTM RC390 showroom and specification review. I’ve updated this post from the 7-6-2015 upload as it now forms part of the best selling motorcycles in Australia series for 2018. In respect to that, the KTM RC390 is the 5th most popular ‘Super Sports’ motorcycle sold in Australia in 2018 selling 254 units. Apart from that record the RC390 is also a LAMS bike aka learner and commuter friendly so anyone can ride it.

The RC390 is at the top end of the learner and small capacity commuter motorcycle class including in looks and price. It’s engine has the largest capacity and produces the most power and torque in the class. It’s competitors, the CBR, Ninja and even new R3 will have difficulty competing with the RC390 especially if equipped with any of the optional performance parts catalog.

In terms of design the RC390 looks great, arguably the best looking motorcycle in the class. One look and you will think that it is a super sport motorcycle except a small one. The colour coordination sells it’s self. Although sharing it’s engine and other main parts with the semi-naked Duke 390 it differs by being re-specified to a sports motorcycle standard.

In terms of the engine and technology the RC390 has class average materials and features. Bearing in mind it is a 1 cylinder engine it develops the same power as 2 cylinder used in other sub-400cc motorcycles. This is also a light weight motorbike with dry weight of 147Kg so expect a on road weight of around 160Kg which is very good. Note that the changes form the 390 Duke  include sharper steering angle, clip on steering bars, angled seating for weight distribution. There aren’t any exotic materials with a simple trellis frame and well tuned single cylinder engine.

I honestly can’t write much more of the RC390 because it’s got everything you would want to impress yourself and others in a learner or commuter motorcycle. It looks great and relatively different from the others with bright work that is like a genuine race replica. The KTM RC390 is definitely worth a look if the closest thing to a ‘Super Sports’ motorcycle in the class is what you want. However is terms of being classified as a ‘Super Sports’ class motorcycle the RC390 is not a a motorbike that is designed from scratch, missing the leading edge technology or design but tuned to provide a sports orientated riding experience. My concern is that does that make it a Super Sports motorcycle?