KTM RC390!!!!!

[peeweesp]

I need to venture down to the local ktm dealer and see whats up. I love ktms. you know there will be people who will mod the hell out of these.

[kdogg2077]

I was talking to a local KTM Suzuki dealer and they mentioned they expect to get some RC390's in stock soon.

After all the talk about the bike it was weird to actually hear a local dealer mention it. And I didn't even bring it up, he did.

[Daeldren]

Saw one at the BMW dealer in Asheville NC along with the Duke 390 very pretty bikes and tiny too. Impressed by their 5500 price tag. On paper the suspension and frame put it higher up on my want list but that R3 is 500 less than the RC.

[motor32]

Saturday went to the dealer where I got to ride one for about a half hour. The bike looks and runs great and has a lot of torque. Buzzy especially the right footpeg. Ran hot with the fan coming on. A cool day (55*) here in the Chicago area so will only run hotter. NO SLIPPER clutch and I asked about it he said there was no bulletin from KTM about it coming with one. Dragged a knee X2 but didn't want to keep pushing it but clearly handles well. Feels very light. Not to crazy about the gauges as the tach is hard to read and the buttons aren't user friendly. Mirrors SUCK. $6,900 out the door.

I've owned a 250R since new in 08 and I'm looking for either a Ninja 300, Yamaha R3 or the KTM. The KTM is badass but I think the things I love about it now will be the things I hate about it on the street. I would say it's more race track than street.

[Daeldren]

$6900? Holy crap the dealer down here was asking $5500 which is msrp. I have yet to see the r3 and I honestly think it's going to be between the Yamaha and KTM for me unless I find a really sweet deal on a ninja 300.

[Daeldren]

Originally Posted by motor32

I've owned a 250R since new in 08 and I'm looking for either a Ninja 300, Yamaha R3 or the KTM. The KTM is badass but I think the things I love about it now will be the things I hate about it on the street. I would say it's more race track than street.

I kind of figured the KTM was a bit more focused than the rest on track duty, however in some ways that's what I have been waiting for was a proper 4 stroke replacement for the old 2 stroke Aprilia and Hondas. I have high hopes for the Yamaha too if you haven't figured out by now. Not sure though if I should just buy another 250r instead

[subxero]

it should be expected that a lot of dealers are gonna mark these up like crazy and sit on them. whatevs

[Daeldren]

Originally Posted by subxero

it should be expected that a lot of dealers are gonna mark these up like crazy and sit on them. whatevs

That may bite them in the ass when the r3 and even ninja 300 are significantly lower priced. I have already seen new leftover ninja 300's for 3,999 which may sway me that way if the yamaha and ktm are overpriced. At the end of the day I think all the bikes are competitive enough with each having minor advantages in small areas.

[subxero]

^ it all depends on the numbers expected to hit the US, if each ktm dealer is only going to get 2 or 3 then they can sit on them at higher prices all they like as they will most likely sell sooner or later.

[kdogg2077]

Originally Posted by motor32

$6,900 out the door.

Wow that sucks. You could get a new FZ07 for that much.

[Ninjinsky]

Those KTMs look like they are made up from triangles.
Very ugly designs, like a bike would look in Minecraft

[motor32]

In the Chicago area I got quoted $6,900 Out the door for the KTM RC390.

For comparison I also got a price for a 2015 Ninja 300R ABS for $7000 OTD.

I'm kinda surprised they're so close.

[cadd]

Does not compute.

[csmith12]

lol @ 7k... negative sir, keep it! They are really proud of that no?

[kdogg2077]

Originally Posted by motor32

In the Chicago area I got quoted $6,900 Out the door for the KTM RC390.

For comparison I also got a price for a 2015 Ninja 300R ABS for $7000 OTD.

I'm kinda surprised they're so close.

How do you even nogotiate with a dealer setting prices that high? I'd just leave the dealership.

[CycleCam303]

Has no one bought a new bike? 5500 for a bike. Then add a grand for set up fees and then tax for say $6500. Always assume a bike is going to cost 1500ish more than the sticker price.

The key is to look for a bike that has been sitting there for awhile. Dealers have to get rid of old stock asap so they will work with you. I paid 7800 otd for my hypertard...

[dwenrhod]

Brilliant bike!

[jkv45]

One of my riding buddies is picking-up his RC390 this week. He paid $6700 OTD for it.

He sold a Triumph Daytona 675 to buy it.

With any luck I'll be able to ride it in a few weeks.

[Sirref]

sold a 675 to get a 390, that's crazy

it's a good bike but 675 good? idk

[csmith12]

One of friends is picking his up this weekend. Another already has his and will be at Motoseries events. If I am lucky, he might let me do a few laps on it.

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by Sirref

sold a 675 to get a 390, that's crazy

it's a good bike but 675 good? idk

He didn't use all the 675 had to offer. One time when we were out riding we both hit it for a 20 to 70-ish run. My SV650, right at redline, was dead even the entire time. When we stopped I asked him what he was shifting at, and he said 10 - and that's as high as he'd shifted it.

That's about when the 675 just starts to wake up.

He's an old guy like me (50s), but may be a bit more mature...

[Sirref]

I see the point, I'd use it more at a track than street if I had one though so there's a pretty big difference in perspective

[londor]

Got my RC today. I had high expectations but it lives up to them.
This is the bike i wanted when i went shopping for a light nimble bike.
Only 2 bikes to choose from ninja 250 or honda250
Got a ninja 250 in 2012. It took some work getting it dialed right.
(Sprocket changes & tires)
Was surprised.one had to buy a big bike to get the quality parts
and construction. Look at the ninja 250s swingarm. Its a joke.

So i wanted a bike that didnt yet exist. Been a Looong wait.
Put down deposit in dec. 2014 . more waiting.
Reno ktm got 3 RCs on monday $6500 OTD im elated.
It feels light. The weight is carried low so when you tip it it doesnt
Get hard to manage. Tip the ninja and its Timberrr!
This means flicking it is quicker.
I can select from good tires now rear is a 150
Surprised it came with diablo2s was expecting metzlers
Cons
Didnt have integrated signals in the mirrors.
It vibrates. But its not bad.
Loved the ninja 250. But it doesnt compare
i may never ride mine again.

[dave42]

I'm trying to be more fiscally responsible this year. YOU'RE NOT HELPING!

(pics please?)

[londor]

Sorry theres no pics atm. Posting from phone.
The bike doesnt do anything that any other bike does.
I hadnt ridden my ninja for 5 months. It was just as thrilling,liberating,etc
as any bike.
I noticed ive been turning wide on it. Really wide, almost in the other lane.
Have to use more body english. Ninja "falls" into the corner due to its CoG
RC seems more track specific. Like a high-powered mountain bike.

[Somchai]

Originally Posted by londor

Sorry theres no pics atm. Posting from phone.
The bike doesnt do anything that any other bike does.
I hadnt ridden my ninja for 5 months. It was just as thrilling,liberating,etc
as any bike.
I noticed ive been turning wide on it. Really wide, almost in the other lane.
Have to use more body english. Ninja "falls" into the corner due to its CoG
RC seems more track specific. Like a high-powered mountain bike.

Why didn't you lower the front by 15mm and raise the rear by the same amount?
You won't believe how easy a Ninjette will fall into a turn...

[csmith12]

My buddie's at home.

[Somchai]

Originally Posted by csmith12

My buddie's at home.

C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N

[psych0hans]

Now the mods will start flowing looking forward to that! Lol...

[flippn]

I picked mine up last weekend and took it straight to the track. Here's an edited version of what I posted on one of the RC390 forums.

Bike was priced at $5499. OTD price is $6950...high shipping and handling fees but with limited supply and high demand I went ahead and took the plunge.

My other bike is a 2008 Ninja 250 so my short review is a comparison between the two. Note that I ride strictly at the track track and my knowledge of bikes is pretty limited (sorry, I just ride them and bring it to the expert when it needs work).

Arriving at the track, my plan was to break the bike in and just take it easy.

Tires are Pirelli Diablo Rosso which felt fine. I turned the ABS off. There is a hidden button below the two visible buttons on the dash. You press and hold that hidden button for a few seconds until the ABS indicator starts to flash. Brakes felt ok, I was able to keep with my normal two finger pull. Hoping that upgraded pads can improve the way it grabs though.

Biggest impression for me is how much easier this bike turns compared to the Ninja 250. For reference, I have clip ons for the Ninja and I have my forks dropped quite a bit which I found to help me turn. The track is bumpy and I didn't set up the suspension (since I don't know how) so I was bouncing around a bit...specifically the rear.

Though I planned to take it easy, I managed to twist the throttle all the way quite a few times. Power delivery seemed linear, I didn't feel a kick in the a$$...but it may be due to the way I was riding (slow)....or maybe it still needs break in. Bottom end power seemed lacking, I could feel more power in the mid and toward the top range. There were other Ninja 250's at the track with me, I was told that I pull away in the straight.

By the way, there is no slipper clutch. I dropped a few gears coming a little hot and the rear end started jumping around. Need to learn to rev match.

I'd like to get clip-ons to achieve a more aggressive riding postion but it looks like it'll need new triple clamps to accomplish that.

I have pricing and availability for track parts, not cheap but I'll eventually get them unless after market pieces become available sooner.

Sorry I don't have top speed data since I didn't want to hold the throttle open for too long (still breaking in).

Overall, I'm happy with the bike. I just need to get to the track more often to try and push it to its potential.

[jkv45]

Congrats!

My buddy got his last week, and has been breaking it in. He has offered to let me take a spin on it one of these days.

Have you heard the cost of the solo/race tail section?

[flippn]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Congrats!

My buddy got his last week, and has been breaking it in. He has offered to let me take a spin on it one of these days.

Have you heard the cost of the solo/race tail section?

Thanks Jay. Below is the part/price list that I got from my dealer. I think the race tail is termed as the rear fairing which is $299. The items highlighted in blue are on back order, which should be available at the end of the month.

[jkv45]

Thanks Neil!

I sent the info to my buddy. He may go for the rear fairing, but that's probably about it. It's strictly a street bike.

If you check every box you would double the cost of the bike!

[flippn]

Originally Posted by jkv45

Thanks Neil!

I sent the info to my buddy. He may go for the rear fairing, but that's probably about it. It's strictly a street bike.

If you check every box you would double the cost of the bike!

Yeah, I think that's part of the reason the cup bike is priced at $10k...but it's tuned down and requires a racing license to purchase.

Here's a photo of the cup bike, taken at MotoGP this weekend (KTM's MotoAmerica paddock area)

[ninjamunky85]

I was at my KTM dealer on Friday to pick up some valve shims for the berg. They had finally gotten the 390's in, both a duke and the rc, so I gave them a quick look over.

Overall the rc looked good in person, pretty much as expected. Sitting on it the first thing I noticed was how much lighter it felt than my 300. The second thing I noticed was the shape of the tank. To me it seemed thinner and quite a bit longer than the tank of the 300. It also felt like the reach to the bars was a bit longer on the rc, this means the seating position is more stretched out and less compact than the 300.

Personally I didn't really care for the shape of the tank, it didn't feel as easy to get a good grip on with the legs. I also didn't like the position of the bars. This would be a definite issue for me as the design of the triple clamp means that the bar position can't be changed, at least not without some major modifications.

The paint and graphics looked good in person if you like orange and white. The tires were Rosso II's, which must have been changed from Metzelers for the North American market. Didn't get to fire it up or ride it, but I'm sure it would be a fun bike. It didn't really speak to me though, I didn't see a price tag or ask about the OTD price, but that didn't really matter to me as I don't see myself trading the 300 for one.

[Ducati999]

I stopped by the Local to me KTM dealer on Saturday. They had a new Duke 390 but no more RC's. The Sales man told me that they had sold the 2 or 3 they had with deposits received months ago. He suggested I leave a deposit if i was hoping to get one this year. They do appear to be selling fast! My wife liked the Duke and is now more interested in the RC. I dont want to put down a deposit untill she really gets to sit on one.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by flippn

I picked mine up last weekend and took it straight to the track. Here's an edited version of what I posted on one of the RC390 forums.

I am also a Neil from Austin, TX and therefore I believe the only proper thing to do is to allow my a test ride on said KTM.

I was swooning quite a bit at the KTM tent at COTA over these little bikes. Really sharp. I don't see what the problem would be about the clip ons. Just buy a set of standard off the shelf jobbers and mount them under the triple and take the bars out of the stock position. Easy peasy.

[flippn]

Originally Posted by sharky nrk

I am also a Neil from Austin, TX and therefore I believe the only proper thing to do is to allow my a test ride on said KTM.

I was swooning quite a bit at the KTM tent at COTA over these little bikes. Really sharp. I don't see what the problem would be about the clip ons. Just buy a set of standard off the shelf jobbers and mount them under the triple and take the bars out of the stock position. Easy peasy.

Also Neil from Austin, I guess I didn't look close enough. I thought the stock bars were permanently mounted on the triple. I will definitely get clip ons then.

What are you doing this Sunday? I'm going to the track with the KTM and Ninja. I think there's a $150 fee for guest riders. If you're up to it and have access to full gear I'll let you take both bikes for a few sessions. Let me know.

[dave42]

Still waiting to see one in person in socal. The shop closest to me doesn't know when they're coming in yet.

[sharky nrk]

Originally Posted by flippn

Also Neil from Austin, I guess I didn't look close enough. I thought the stock bars were permanently mounted on the triple. I will definitely get clip ons then.

What are you doing this Sunday? I'm going to the track with the KTM and Ninja. I think there's a $150 fee for guest riders. If you're up to it and have access to full gear I'll let you take both bikes for a few sessions. Let me know.

Man I tell you what, I sure wish I could, anniversary weekend with the wife and soccer dad duties have me covered up. Maybe I could snag a raincheck, you going out to H2R?

As for the handlebars, they sure do look like they are one piece at first glance, KTM had hidden the attachment fastener inline with the bar, or at least it seemed that way looking at it.