2016 KTM RC390, RC200, Duke 390 & Duke 200 To Get Always-On Headlamps ! Auto Expo Debut Likely

2016 KTM RC390, RC 200, Duke 390 & Duke 200 to attend Auto Expo 2016

KTM seems to be on a roll in the Indian bike market with the success of the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke followed by the launch of their faired cousins, the RC 200 and RC 390. Even with the introduction of new competition from the likes of Yamaha and Kawasaki, KTM has managed to stay ahead thanks to local manufacturing which keeps prices in check. There has also been immense speculation regarding the launch of the Duke and RC 250 models, but there hasn’t been any confirmation from parent company Bajaj’s end. However, for 2016, KTM will launch an updated version of the RC390, RC200, Duke 390 & Duke 200. The 2016 KTM models, which include the RCs and the Duke variants, will get always-on headlamps – a safety feature that is mandatory in many markets around the globe. Here, in this post, we bring you all the details and a couple of spy shots of the 2016 KTM RC390.

Price

2016 Duke 200 Price: Rs. 1.40 lakh
2016 Duke 390 Price: Rs. 1.91 lakh
2016 RC 200 Price: Rs. 1.65 lakh
2016 RC 390 Price: Rs. 2.09 lakh

2016 Ktm Rc 390 — Missing headlamp switches on Duke’s switchgear

Design

In the desing department, the 2016 MY RC390 will not feature many changes apart from the conventional side mounted exhaust and a larger brake disc for the front tyres. The bike is a definite head turner with its aggressive front fairing complimented by the projector lamps which sit recessed within the fairing scoop. It’s hard to mistake it for anything but a KTM with its familiar white/orange paint combination and the angular styling theme evident all over the KTM RC 390. The designers have thrown in plenty of neat details like the daytime running lights neatly tucked in below the headlamps or the turn indicators integrated into the rear view mirrors. At first glance, it might look like there is no pillion seat but upon close observation you’ll notice that KTM has disguised the pillion seat to give the RC a proper sportsbike look. There is a neat groove cut under the seat for the pillion to hold on to. The minimalist rear end gets LED tail lamps and turn indicators on the short number plate hanger. All of this combined with the exposed trellis frame finished in orange give the KTM RC 390 a very appealing look. Although, looks are subjective plus there is always the age old argument, Naked vs. Faired, which will never be settled.

TECH SPECS

Engine:

373.2-cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid cooled
Fuel-injection tech by Bosch
43 BHP @ 7,000 RPM
35 Nm @ 9,000 RPM
Electronically-limited top speed of 175 KMPH

Steel Trellis Frame
Electronic Ignition system
Slipper clutch system
Brakes by wire:

320-mm front disc
230-mm rear disc

Bosch ABS as standard
Metzeleer Sportec M5, soft-compound tyres

110-mm section tyre at front
150-mm section tyre at rear

Suspension:

125 mm WP upside down at the front
150 mm WP monoshock rear

Digital LCD
Conventional side mounted silencer
10-litre fuel tank
Aluminium swingarm
Dry weight: 166 Kg

Features

The KTM RC 390 provides some first-in-segment features like projector headlamps, here’s a list of all the features.

Twin projector headlamps
LED pilot lamps
Day-time running lamps which can be controlled by the rider
LED brake lamp
Rear-view mirror integrated indicators
Multi-information LCD display

Tachometer
Gear-indicator
Speed
Odometer
triple-trip meter
Watch
Coolant temperature
Fuel-level
Service reminder
Mileage in LPKM

Body-integrated pillion seat

Performance

The KTM RC 390, like all other bikes from the manufacturer in India, provides the best performance-for-the-money proposition. A lot of changes have been made to set the RC 390 apart from the 390 Duke. The steel trellis frame has been tweaked and the engine has been used as a stressed member. The rake angle at the front has been reduced for faster turns and the wheelbase has been shortened for sharper handling. The closest competitor in terms of engine capacity is the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the Yamaha R3, but both bikes are significantly more expensive. On top of that the RC 390 produces 4 BHP / 8 Nm more and weighs 9 Kgs less. We can safely say that there is no bike that comes close to the RC 390 in terms of performance and price in this segment, for now.