KTM RC 390 vs KTM 390 Duke: What's different?

Design:

It is without doubt the single biggest distinguishing factor between the KTM RC 390 and the 390 Duke. While the 390 Duke adopts a streetbike styling the RC 390 opts for a supersport design language. The RC 390 features a full faired styling that should appeal to the fairing-fixated Indian two-wheeler buyers. Design highlights on the KTM RC 390 include twin headlamps with DRL’s, restyled fuel tank and tail section, fairing integrated underbelly exhaust and mirror mounted turn indicators.

Riding posture:

Since the KTM RC 390 is a supersport offering, riding posture has been altered to better suit the dynamics of the new bike. The bike features clip-on handlebars unlike the single piece and wide handlebar as seen on the KTM 390 Duke. The riding posture is more crouched and sporty whereas the rear-set footpegs remain unchanged. 

Steering head angle:

KTM engineers have hiked the steering head angle from 65° to 66.5°on the RC 390. This alteration should help in improving the handling dynamics of the bike whereas the front forks have been stiffened up too as they now have a travel of 125mm instead of 150mm.  

Ground clearance & wheelbase:

Although the chassis of the KTM RC 390 is similar to the 390 Duke, the wheelbase and ground clearance have been altered. The KTM RC 390 has a wheelbase of 1,340mm which is 27mm shorter than its naked sibling and should result in better handling dynamics. Also the KTM RC 390 has a better ground clearance at 178.5mm, which is 8.5mm more than the 390 Duke.

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Fuel tank:

KTM has restyled the fuel tank to gel with the new design of the RC 390. But in this process the new bike has lost out on fuel tank capacity. The KTM RC 390 can hold 10-litres of fuel in comparison to 11-litres of the 390 Duke. This means it will have less range on a full tank than its naked sibling, a point touring riders wouldn’t appreciate.

Weight:

The additional bodywork and fairing has taken a toll on the bike’s kerb weight. The KTM RC 390 tips the scale at 147kg which makes its 8kg heavier than the 390 Duke. But the streamlined and aerodynamic body should help in the RC 390 achieving a better top end than the Duke while also protecting the rider from windblast at high speeds.

Price:

The new additions in the styling department do come at a price. It is expected that the KTM RC 390 will command a premium of around Rs 30 to 40,000 over the 390 Duke. So expect the KTM RC 390 to be launched at a price of Rs 2.2 lakh (ex-showrrom), which is steep in our opinion but we are sure that the fairing-fixated bikers wouldn’t mind the extra dough.