EICMA 2015: KTM RC390 unveiled

The KTM RC390 has been selling in spades throughout the world ever since it has been launched, and with good reason too, but that hasn’t made its Indo-Austrian maker sit back and rest on their laurels. Instead, KTM has taken the wraps off the 2016 iteration of the RC 390 at the ongoing Milan Motor Show, or EICMA, as it is more popularly known. And it is not just a refresh of colours and new stickering options; this is a comprehensive makeover that endows the already scintillating package of the RC 390 with some very desirable features. If the RC 390 wasn’t value for money enough earlier, this one definitely will. 

It still looks quite the same visually, though. The only difference is that the underbelly exhaust has now been ditched in favour of a traditional side-mounted can, but that’s about it. This change has been done to accommodate the new Euro-4 emission norm that is coming into effect soon.

The biggest change here is the addition of a slipper clutch. Yes, that’s right, the KTM RC390 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 are the only two small-capacity sport bikes to feature this lifesaver that helps you bang down the gears quickly without fear of the wheels locking up. 

There’s also a ride-by-wire system, designed for smoother and more linear power delivery, for the same 373.2cc single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. At 320mm dia, the front disc brakes – developed in conjunction with Brembo - are larger, and now come with adjustable brake and clutch levers. Finally, the ABS system is now disconnect-able, for more shenanigans that the KTM brand is already famous for. 

Along with the RC 390, the rest of its KTM siblings viz., the RC 200, RC 250 and RC 125 have also been updated for EICMA 2015, albeit not as comprehensively as the former. Considering that all these crotch rockets are being manufactured at Bajaj’s Chakan plant in Pune, India, expect them to make an appearance in India very soon. Perhaps, even as soon as the 2016 Delhi Auto Expo in early February.