KTM is working on an updated version the RC 390, the fully faired sibling of the 390 Duke. The model has been spotted testing nearly two years after the Austrian brand launched the heavily updated 390 Duke. The 2019 RC 390 will be better equipped and will get cosmetic and mechanical updates as well.
The RC 390 seen wore a redesigned fairing with a large clear screen and what appears to be a vertical cut-out for the headlight. While the motorcycle on test appeared to run the headlight unit from the current model, the new model could see a vertical unit, similar to the RC8's. The side panels seem to have received small tweaks as well, and the bike now has two panels connecting the fairing to the secondary layer of bodywork seen on the sides.
The motorcycle on test also appears to feature a reworked subframe. It appears to be missing some of the cross bracing and the pillion foot peg assembly as well. Moreover, the aluminium subframe doesn’t look painted and has a rough finish to it. While it’s not seen in the images, we expect the updated RC 390 to feature the Bluetooth-enabled TFT colour screen seen on the 390 Duke. Along with these, the 2019 RC 390 is sure to get the other revisions seen on the updated Duke as well.
The current-gen RC 390 and the 390 Duke have a similar price of around Rs 2.50 lakh. However, once the updated RC 390 is introduced, we can expect the price to go up by around Rs 10,000-20,000, taking its price closer to Rs 2.70 lakh. As with the current model, the upcoming RC 390 will face competition from the TVS Apache RR 310 (Rs 2.23 lakh) and the Kawasaki Ninja 300 (Rs 2.98 lakh).
All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi.
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Dinshaw Magol
