KTM RC390!!!!!

[Aufitt]

Originally Posted by Sirref

so it's confirmed to the US then? well rumor confirmed

Could probably find out who your US contingent are but no doubt it will be all over the web when they get home and do their work and they consult your distributors.

But yes its a given.

[choneofakind]

Wooooooo!!! Now let's see what the Yamaha boys roll out. I like this one though.

[Sirref]

I swear I'm going to have to ride all these small displacement sport bikes down the line before I know which one is my favorite

[Aufitt]

I'd say Zack Courts from Motorcyclist online is your man.

Also found this elsewhere-
http://www.dcsportbikes.net/forum/f1...pring-t-84529/

Today is the international press launch for the 2015 KTM RC 390 in Modena Italy.

Canadian and American journalists are attending and you can expect wall to wall coverage very shortly on websites and magazines.
Here’s some additional information you need to know:

1. The RC 390 will be included in the North American street line-up for 2015.

2. The RC 390 will have its North American debut at the Progressive International Motorcycle Show in Long Beach, California on November 14, 2014. Pricing and full specifications will be released then.

[Aufitt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y57jmAVK4-A#t=308

Here is Trevor Hedge from the Italy launch.

Bit over $8k which is nice.

[adouglas]

= about $7500 US.

[psych0hans]

India is expecting 4-5k pricing... At today's exchange rate. A couple of guys I know are getting theirs delivered right at the track... Go figure!

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by Aufitt

Link to original page on YouTube.

Here is Trevor Hedge from the Italy launch.

Bit over $8k which is nice.

[kdogg2077]

Originally Posted by adouglas

= about $7500 US.

I did a currency conversion and this is what I got too. $8000 au dollars is like $7500 american dollars.

That's a little more than I was hoping for. Wish they could get it to $6500. I guess it does have ABS which adds $500 to most bikes.

[choneofakind]

Idk why people are upset about 7500. This is clearly spec'd wayyyyy above anything else with <500cc's...

[Aufitt]

The USA gets things cheaper than the exchange rate suggests anyway due to it being a large market.

Then most spend more than that on Chinese cheese to change the bike for some reason I'll never understand.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Idk why people are upset about 7500. This is clearly spec'd wayyyyy above anything else with <500cc's...

USD forks... Radial brakes... ABS... Light as **** and plenty of power to go around... The only problem to watch out for is a vibey as **** engine... Rest is all good!

[choneofakind]

^^ Exactly. I can live with a vibey engine for a nice torque curve and 43 hp in a chassis that's leagues above anything else on the market. I just hope they survive selling this bike long enough for me to get a real job and give one a test ride with the possibility of buying it.

I really hope that the US consumer base doesn't decide this is priced too high, doesn't buy any, and KTM pulls it from the market. Let's face it, I think 7500 is the hairy edge of what most people would pay for 390cc'c, regardless of the chassis and hardware that comes with it. It looks like it has the potential to be an awesome track toy and canyon carver

[Somchai]

ROFL - you talk about 7500/8000 USD...

If this bike comes to the Land of Smiles I guess we'll see minimum 12000 USD - here's a link to the pricelist from KTM (exchange is app. 1 USD to 31 THB)
http://ktmthailand.co.th/media/conte...ff69802aa6.jpg

[choneofakind]

Maybe so

But they're never going to sell any quantity of that bike here if they price it that high. We can get ZX6R's for less than that. Difference in market demands a difference in pricing.

That link also shows that an RC8 should be nearly $42,000 soooooo...

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by Somchai

ROFL - you talk about 7500/8000 USD...

If this bike comes to the Land of Smiles I guess we'll see minimum 12000 USD - here's a link to the pricelist from KTM (exchange is app. 1 USD to 31 THB)
http://ktmthailand.co.th/media/conte...ff69802aa6.jpg

Not likely bro... The bike is made in india and there is a treaty between india and Thailand to import stuff at a much lower rate of duty than normal. That's why Ducati is going to import made in Thailand bikes in india. You just might be surprised at the price.

Just saw the price list... That's just stupid, three times the price of india...

[subxero]

kinda with Chone on this one. $7500 is about as high as i think they could hope to go IMO, $8k and i don't even give it a second look. $7k would gain my attention a little more.

Even at $7.5k after the dealership does all it's mark ups, they will be asking $8.5, for this bike new for the first yr at least, that's a lot for a single IMO

[psych0hans]

How much does a 690 go for in the us?

[ninjamunky85]

MSRP is $8,999, My local dealer has a new one for $7,999.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by ninjamunky85

MSRP is $8,999, My local dealer has a new one for $7,999.

In that case 7500 is too far fetched... It's not likely to be so pricey. Remember, taxes are generally supposed to be much higher in Europe than the states.

[choneofakind]

[c-dog]

I have a bad feeling about it selling well in the US if it costs a lot. Unless it is more affordable. I like the idea of it, but brand new 600s that are 1 year old on dealers floors aren't much more money.

These bikes might end up being super-enthuisist bikes (for track or street), a biker's bike if you will. Or a wealthy person's toy bike - a second bike for when the Panigale is in the shop maybe?

[Aufitt]

Reading the comments on here all I can say is the USA consumers must be very fussy, its cheaper than the Ninja 300 and CBR500 (both cheap low end bikes) in the UK in this test-

http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-...iew/25468.html

[choneofakind]

Thanks for the article Aufitt.

It's gearing limited to 99 at redline in 6th. That means at a true 75 mph, it'll be turning about 7,875 out of 10,500 rpm. It's revvy.

[ForceofWill]

If it's near 6k it would start to interest me. At $7250 I can get an FZ-09.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Thanks for the article Aufitt.

It's gearing limited to 99 at redline in 6th. That means at a true 75 mph, it'll be turning about 7,875 out of 10,500 rpm. It's revvy.

I wonder if there will be a mod to bump up the rev limiter to get some more top end out of it... I know there is one for the duke where they reflash your ecu...

[choneofakind]

Why not just use longer final drive? It's got more torque and more power than the ninjette, it should be able to pull longer gearing both in the mid range and top end without feeling sluggish.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Why not just use longer final drive? It's got more torque and more power than the ninjette, it should be able to pull longer gearing both in the mid range and top end without feeling sluggish.

My thoughts exactly, Since they are marketing it as a "Race" bike it is geared for maximum acceleration so a few more teeth up front or less out back will barely be noticed and will improve fuel economy then swap back for the track!

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

Why not just use longer final drive? It's got more torque and more power than the ninjette, it should be able to pull longer gearing both in the mid range and top end without feeling sluggish.

I wouldn't do it... I'm just curious if others would... I know for a fact that the duke rpm can be bumped up by 1k.

[Aufitt]

Why not leave the bloody thing stock!
Its a KTM and Id be more worried about it destroying itself.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by Aufitt

Why not leave the bloody thing stock!
Its a KTM and Id be more worried about it destroying itself.

Please explain: I have not heard anything bad about KTM motors, are the prone to having issues? What kind of problems have you seen/heard of with them. I only ask because i believe this will be the wifes replacement for her Ninja 250 next year.

[choneofakind]

I've heard good things about the RC8, but then again, it's their premium model.

I like taller gearing on the ninjette. Does good things for making the bike seem less zingy for longer faster sport touring rides where you're looking to head over a state and average 65+ all day long including stops. I think I'd want that KTM a little less zingy also, it's doing the equivalent of the ninjette running 10,500 rpm at 75 (80+ indicated)

[subxero]

I wouldn't be concerned about the engine.

[Ducati999]

Originally Posted by choneofakind

I've heard good things about the RC8, but then again, it's their premium model.

I like taller gearing on the ninjette. Does good things for making the bike seem less zingy for longer faster sport touring rides where you're looking to head over a state and average 65+ all day long including stops. I think I'd want that KTM a little less zingy also, it's doing the equivalent of the ninjette running 10,500 rpm at 75 (80+ indicated)

I agree about the gearing on the 250, I put a 16t front and a 39t rear for the wife. The bike now runs to 35 in second and she has to shift a lot less often while riding arround. I dont think i would want to raise the redline of the 390. The single cyl is working hard and i think gearing would be a better solution than higher revs. With an RC390 as my track only bike i might consider it but that would depend on how well she goes before and what "power" mods can be done first.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by Aufitt

Why not leave the bloody thing stock!
Its a KTM and Id be more worried about it destroying itself.

Curiosity kills the bike? Lol

[Somchai]

It looks like the RC 390 will come to Thailand and in Germany they'd show the bike already.
From what the guys talk it looks very narrow from the rear view, but when you sit on it it's higher than the Ninjette and the feeling is light.
The sales there should start on the 15. September and the price shall be 5.500 Euro, so I think in USA you won't see much more than 7.000 USD.

[CycleCam303]

The seat height won't be an issue. I can touch on the 690 no problem. I'm sure that bike is super thin.

Not impressed and would not buy. The road racing world article makes more sense from a business stand point. Sell it here in the USA in the cup version and make a series for the kids to race. Like an order only kind of ordeal. What they really should do is make a USA market specific super sport variant based on the 690.

The 390 is a great bike for those with tiered licensing. But here in the USA I'd expect it to suffer from the same issues that the street legal super moto bikes did. Too focused and not enough practicality.

I've ridden a street legal rs125 and it sucked hard in the street. The 390 won't have the horrible powerband but it'll be vibe city and will have similar limitations as the ninjette. The only time and place the bike will be super fun is on tight roads or really small tracks. On track the big bikes will be blowing by you and the guy with the $2500 ninjette that raced all last year will be breathing down your throat. And then on the street getting anywhere on the freeway will be...an act of frustration... while in the back of your mind you'll be thinking, "Is that the LC death tick I'm hearing...and when it swallows the valve will I highside?'

Albeit exaggerated, I just don't see this bike being successful in this market. Like other people have said, for the potential price point there are so many better street bikes. The 690 duke is fooking awesome as a street hooligan machine, a used street triple r, hell I bought my hypermotard for less than what than $7500.

But if they sell an rc390r Cup bike. After some 14 year old phenom moves on to racing 600s, I'd pick one up and use it for the ultra lightweight class.

[kdogg2077]

First ride report

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/173/19...irst-Ride.aspx

[kdogg2077]

From motorcycle USA

"For 2015 the 390 Duke will be available in the United States along with the sportiest of the single-cylinder Bajaj-built bikes, the 2015 KTM RC390."

Good news, rumors mid 6000 price.

Not so good, 32 inch seat height.

[psych0hans]

Originally Posted by 2015 KTM RC390 First Ride
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
[url

http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/reviews/2015-ktm-rc390-first-ride][/url]

Take a ride on the 2015 KTM RC390 around Autodromo di Modena in the 2015 KTM RC390 Flying Lap Video.

KTM has ramped up its street offerings in the past few years and its on-road models now account for nearly 50% of the total units and revenue. June of 2014 proved the best month in KTM’s history and nearly 70,500 motorcycles have been sold in the last six months, 30,000 of them manufactured in India by Bajaj – a minority stakeholder in KTM. Those models include smaller displacement bikes such as the 125 Duke, RC125, 200 Duke, RC200 and 390 Duke. For 2015 the 390 Duke will be available in the United States along with the sportiest of the single-cylinder Bajaj-built bikes, the 2015 KTM RC390.

Last year KTM debuted the KTM RC390 Cup racer at the German Grand Prix at Sachsenring. Immediately, it was speculated there would be a street model to follow, but the big question was if it would see duty on American streets. A few months later KTM announced that there would in fact be an RC390, but at that time there was still no word of whether or not US riders would be able to get their hands on one. With the success of Honda’s CBR250R (now the CBR300R) and Kawasaki’s Ninja 300, the market is there for the RC390 to step into the fray. And MotoUSA was excited to receive an invite to KTM's 2015 international press launch for the bike, as it meant the RC390 would almost certainly be added to the KTM U.S. lineup.



Both the Duke 390 and RC390 will be hitting dealership floors in December, but pricing is yet to be announced. As expected the RC will cost more than its 300cc Japanese rivals, and KTM sources can only hint at a mid-$6000 price range. But there is a solid case to be made for the RC390 being worth the extra chunk of change. For one, just look at it. The styling makes the rest of the field look dated with its sharp angles and orange trellis frame and wheels. Standard ABS, Brembo-engineered brakes and a WP upside-down fork enhance the technical specifications and make the price disparity seem less of an issue.

Powering the RC390 is a 375cc Single with a claimed output of 44 horsepower at 9500 rpm. A four-valve head features dual overhead camshafts actuating aluminum finger followers. An 89mm forged piston moves through a stroke of 60mm in a Nikasil-coated cylinder. The entire powerplant tips the scales at just 79 pounds, helping the RC390 achieve the best power-to-weight ratio in the class. At 324 pounds overall, the RC390 is at the very limit of Europe’s A2 license power-to-weight ratio and just short of maximum horsepower limits. While A2 requirements don’t mean a thing here in the U.S., American riders do reap the benefits of KTM pushing the limits in the category.

The RC390’s trellis frame is similar to that of the 390 Duke, but it has a different subframe and an 1.5-degree steeper steering-head angle at 66.5 degrees. The trail (88mm) and wheelbase (1340mm) of the RC390 are shorter than Duke’s as well. All this gives the RC390 more ground clearance for higher lean angles along with quicker handling in the curves.
The 43mm WP upside-down fork upfront is the same size as those found on KTM’s RC8 Superbike, although it is not adjustable. In the rear, the linkage-less trellis swingarm is damped by a WP monoshock that features only preload adjustability. Weight distribution front-to-rear with a 165 pound rider is 49/51%.



Everyday Riding

Sitting on the RC390 reveals a much larger cockpit than expected, with plenty of room for riders up to six feet. Shorter riders may find the 32.2-inch seat height a bit of a stretch, but the seat is thin enough to make it feel lower than it really is. We spent the first half of the day riding through the Italian countryside just outside of Modena and Maranello – the home of supercar manufacturers Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati and just down the road from Ducati’s hometown of Bologna. The riding position is aggressive enough for shredding though the corners, but not so much that your knees and wrists beg for mercy after a short time. The seat is firm and will be the source of the first complaint on a longer ride.

Out on the open roads, the RC390’s Single has torque that pulls much harder than would be expected from a small mill with a short stroke. As the revs rise the power just gets better as you approach the 10,000 rpm rev limit. Keep the motor spinning and you’ll get some serious hustle, but if you let it drop it’s not the end of the world as the 390 will still pull from around 3000 rpm without protest.

Clutch pull is not overly light and has a very connected feel through the cable actuated lever. Shifting is precise with a solid click on upshifts, but has less feedback when downshifting. It’s almost too smooth. Gear spacing is spread out perfectly for the power output of the RC390 and allows for a claimed top speed in the area of 110 mph. The highest achieved during our short blast on the open highway was 103 mph.

Braking power from the ByBre (By Brembo) front caliper and 300mm disc feels somewhat soft on initial bite, which is a plus for beginner riders. Once you get deeper into the front lever, the braking power comes on with more than enough for most situations. The ABS doesn’t intrude until you really spike the lever, or the pavement grip is very poor. Switching off the ABS is possible with just a press and hold of a button on the nicely laid out (except for the smallish tachometer) dash. The rear brake is also a ByBre unit and modulates nicely with plenty of power. Much better than many motorcycles double or triple in price.

Suspension action is plush and follows the road without fuss, gobbling up nasty bits of road without any harshness. The rear end did feel slightly softer than the front, but to be honest my 225-pound frame is well beyond the target customer’s body type. Even so, in the bends the RC390 was very stable with a lightness that allowed for mid-corner adjustments at a whim. The entire package is supremely flickable and just begs to be pointed at curvy mountain roads.



Play and Race Days

Small bore bikes on the race track are becoming more and more common with several series offering classes for the Ninja 300 and CBR300R, and of course there is the ADAC Junior Cup in Europe which is a gateway for young riders to Moto3 racing. It’s easy to see the value in smaller bikes on the racetrack and the RC390 may be the best value yet. We expected the RC would be a fun track mount and weren’t disappointed, wearing smiles long after Autodromo di Modena had locked up for the night.

On the track the RC390’s soft and compliant street suspension held up to the task of aggressive riding. The front fork settled nicely into the corner, although it was often near the bottom of its stroke when dropped in on the brakes. The rear had just too much sag for my size and the ground clearance went away quickly in the first session. After adding three clicks of preload to the shock via the stepped ramp adjuster, I was able to get more lean angle out of the little RC and its handling sharpened up slightly. Even with my girth and the extra preload the rear never got springy or wallowed. I was able to drag the footpgegs in every corner, but this really isn’t a negative or criticism. For me it showed where the limit of lean was, and I was impressed by that limit.



Dropping into Modena’s numerous decreasing radius corners highlight how well the RC390 handles. Tightening up a corner is one of the most difficult things you can ask from a sportbike and the RC does it without so much as a hiccup. In the higher speed corners the 390 is composed, stable and just plain easy. Even when I asked too much of the Metzeler Sporttec M5 rear tire, the resulting slide and recovery was not a moment of terror but rather one of entertainment.

The potent Single allows you to torque out of tighter corners and there was no frantic reaching for the shift lever while still leaned over. A solid midrange pull is followed up by a very respectable top-end rush that saw the RC390 clicking off 98 mph at the end on the short front straight.

Getting on the brakes at the end of that straight finds the RC390s units are “by Brembro” and not actual Brembos. While there is plenty of power available for most instances, there is a point when the front brake will not give you anymore slowing and feels wooden, but this is only when you really try to drive in deep. For 90% of the users on the street and track the brakes will be up to 99% of what is asked of them.

KTM has a winner on its hands with the 2015 RC390. While it will be more expensive than the competition, its racy looks and excellent performance on both the street and track make it worth the extra initial layout. It validates what I’ve felt for some time, small sportbikes are serious business and serious fun.