EICMA 2026 started on November 3, and many new products have been announced, revealed or showcased by exhibitors such as Ducati, Honda and Yamaha. We also have seen exciting announcements from Indian brands like Royal Enfield, TVS and Hero, who have each revealed more than one new product intended for a launch next year. KTM, now owned by Bajaj, also adds to that pipeline but with a product that’s currently confirmed for Europe.
- MY2028 KTM 450 RC supersport is confirmed for a European launch in early 2028
- It is based on the CFMoto 450SR-S, with a higher revving engine, different suspension and brakes
- KTM 490 Duke, with an all-new parallel-twin engine, is expected at EICMA 2027
KTM 450 RC headed to Europe in 2028
Indian launch not expected; we’ll get 490 Duke/Adventure instead
To give a brief history, in 2023, KTM updated the 390 Duke to a third-generation iteration with many noteworthy upgrades. KTM’s usual chronology suggested then that an RC 390 based on it would follow in 2024, but that hasn’t happened. We’ve since learned that KTM-Bajaj have been working on an upgraded version of that platform with an all-new 490cc parallel-twin engine. The move makes sense, considering that rivals such as the Aprilia RS 457 and Tuono 457 are twins, for example, and are noticeably smoother to ride. While the wait for a markedly smoother KTM continues, KTM fans in Europe do have something to look forward to in the meantime: the 450 RC.
People who follow automotive news regularly will know that this isn’t a new product. It’s a collaboration between KTM and CFMoto and was launched in China earlier this year. The supersport uses a 449cc parallel-twin motor that delivers 56hp at 10,000rpm and 39Nm at 9,500rpm, both of which are delivered higher in the rev range than the CFMoto 450SR-S it is based on. KTM has also given it a different suspension setup and braking system, both by WP. As is usual for the company, there are also a multitude of features offered, such as a 5-inch TFT display, adjustable suspension, ride modes and cornering-sensitive and switchable dual-channel ABS. KTM has officially confirmed that the 450 RC will reach Europe in early 2028. However, the Austrian manufacturer has yet to reveal the starting price.
In August, we reported that an RC 490 and an RC 790 are confirmed to be in development and specified that the 490 will not be based on the 450. As we now know, it will be an all-new engine developed from scratch, powering an updated version of the third-generation platform, currently seen on the 390 Duke and the Adventure. We gather that the 490 Duke will be the first to break cover, currently expected at EICMA 2027. It’s been customary for KTM to debut new engine/platforms with Dukes, which are later extended to the RC and Adventure bikes. In line with that, the 490 Adventure is expected to show up at EICMA 2028, which also (indirectly) suggests that a twin-cylinder RC is at least three years away.
If it hasn’t become obvious yet, we don’t expect the RC 450 to head to our shores. We have the 490s to look forward to directly, which we believe will be manufactured and exported to the world from India. When KTM eventually debuts the 490, it will rival the Aprilia Tuono 457 (Rs 4 lakh) and Kawasaki Ninja 500 (Rs 5.76 lakh). It will also have the daunting 40 percent GST slab to wrestle with, which in all likelihood might take its price upwards of Rs 4 lakh.
Source: Zigwheels; All prices mentioned are ex-showroom.
Suraj Sreekumar
Vishal Venugopal
