This took a while, but finally KTM RC 390 has been caught testing somewhere on the streets of India. I have never been happier to see an auto rickshaw in a photo I tell you! Here’s what the KTM has to officially say about this bike.
KTM RC 390 is the sportier sister of Duke 390, which has already taken the world with a storm. It sports the same 375cc, oil cooled, 44bhp, 35Nm engine, just the riding position and few other modifications have been done to convert it from a naked streetfighter to a fully clothed sports bike. ABS should remain standard, so should the Metzeler tyres, and your safety is properly taken care of.
I don’t know about you, but I love that little ass frame the bike is showing, looks like a slutty model showing off her thigh though a deep cut dress. The clip-ons make the bike look cool, although the small-ish instrument console that feels at home on the Duke doesn’t fit so well on the RC.
The best parts though are the big wind screen and big mirrors. The wind blast on the Duke is disastrous. When I was doing 173kmph, I just lifted my head up for a second to see what it felt like. I swear my neck was almost snapped clean. The mirrors on the Duke are also an atrocity, so these bigger ones should make life much more easier. The rear seat looks even more unusable than the Duke though, can’t say we didn’t see that coming. The bike is also expected to get projectors and daytime running lights, so the front should look cool.
KTM RC 390 is an eagerly awaited bike, along with the RC 200. People have prophesied over the months that the bike will be launched just after the Auto Expo, but I have my doubts. I spoke to a dealer in Mumbai, and he was quite certain the KTM RC 390 won’t hit the streets until July 2014.
This makes sense, considering there is another price increase due for the Duke 390, to push it to around 2.25lacs on road Mumbai. This would mean that the KTM RC 390, which will be priced at a premium of around 30k over the Duke, should go on sale at its expected price of around 2.6lacs.
The only bad piece of news is, the fuel tank on the KTM RC 390 will be even smaller than the Duke. Now I can’t tell you enough how much that is going to suck ass. Whenever I am on a long trip, the biggest pain in my brain is to locate the next best fuel station, 11 liters and a fuel economy of 27kmpl isn’t going to get you much far.
So keep your fingers crossed, I think the RCs will be on display at the Auto Expo, not sure about the launch date though. Hope to see them soon!