KTM RC 390: Ready to race

Ready to Race – far from a hollow marketing slogan, KTM’s claim is an honest commitment constantly brought to new life at the company’s headquarters in Mattighofen, Austria. And not only the company and its staff let themselves been guided by this slogan; each and every motorbike to leave the KTM factory floor – no matter which kind or how big its engine is – fulfills the expectations that customers all over the world attach to KTM products: the claim to offer genuine racing potential.

The latest example, and justifiably so, is the new KTM RC 390. It is the flagship model of the new RC series and it completes the street range which helped KTM to become No. 1 of the European motorcycle manufacturers. With the RC 390 the dynamic Austrian maker ties in to its Grand Prix racing success. After all, tomorrow’s MotoGP pilots are using the Cup version of the RC 390 already this season to fight for points and podiums in the German ADAC Junior Cup. With the production version, the Austrians launch a fascinating sport bike in the lower displacement spectrum of the market without a single ounce too much but with racing flair in abundance – if there could be such a thing as ‘too much’ of it.

Its profile: a full fairing, a graceful trellis frame, upside-down front forks, a radial calliper on a huge brake disc, diecast alloy swingarm, a bold trellis swing arm and sparsely treaded low section tires on extremely light alloy wheels. Completed by a high-revving four-stroke single cylinder that has punch as well as great refinement. All of this delivered in a perfect ergonomic package with surprising good everyday practicality.

ENGINE

The 390 DUKE has already proven in an impressive manner just how much riding enjoyment a 375cc four-stroke single can provide. As refined as it is powerful, the Austrian powerplant propels the bike vehemently from turn to turn with a commanding punch. KTM has transplanted this highly modern engine into the brand new RC 390 where it can convert its potential into remarkable performance and maximum dynamism thanks to the RC package and its aerodynamic fairing. Riders who prefer lightweight, high performance supersport bikes who have been looking in vain for such a bike in this class are bound to find this model highly convincing. Incidentally, the new RC 390 is especially attractive for riders with a restricted A2 licence.

With a maximum output of 32 kW (44 hp) at 9,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 35 Nm at 7,250 rpm, the liquid-cooled short-stroke engine combines an instantaneous power delivery with great refinement while also delivering a fantastic and lightning-quick response all the way to the red line – the perfect combination for lively racing performance, paired with 100% everyday real-world practicality. In all this, the compact power pack weighs in at only 36 kg, supplying the RC 390 with the best power-to-weight ratio of its class. In addition, the engine benefits from technical delicacies like its four-valve cylinder head, forged piston, DLC coated aluminium followers, forced-feed lubrication with scavenger pumps, three-way catalyst and vertically stacked transmission shafts.

CHASSIS

While going fast in a straight line can be fun, true sport riders know that only roads with plenty of turns offer a truly intense riding experience. That is why the KTM engineers focused on designing a lightweight and very compact supersport bike, destined for the twisties with its exceptional handling and remarkable agility.

The RC 390 offers amazing fun flicking it out from one corner into the next on a bike that manages to perfectly reconcile seemingly contradictory qualities: a low weight and maximum stability, extreme agility and razor sharp precision, a racing layout and low-fatigue ergonomics.

To create perfect conditions for limitless cornering fun on back roads and race tracks, the engineers gave the new RC 390 an ultra lightweight trellis frame, a diecast alloy swingarm, top quality suspension components made by WP Suspension and further premium components. Last but not least, the large ground clearance, the slim outline and the sticky tires allow impressive lean angles. This makes the RC 390 perfect for all young and young-at-heart bikers for whom supersport riding enjoyment is the measure of all things.

BRAKES & WHEELS

Stability, steering precision and agility are among the essential qualities of the RC 390. In addition, there is an powerful engine to max out the race replica’s performance. It goes without saying that this package needs disc brakes with just as much power, as well as a precise action and total stability. Developed by KTM in close cooperation with Brembo, this powerful and user friendly braking system ensures undiluted riding enjoyment as well as high safety levels. Breaking away from the competition, KTM underscores its uncompromising commitment to safety with a state-of-the-art ABS as standard in this class as well. The safety package is rounded off with sticky sport tyres in ample dimensions on cast aluminium wheels in a ten-spoke design.

For more information, contact ANB Motorcycles, the exclusive KTM dealer in Lebanon, via their Facebook page.

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