2020 BS6-compliant KTM RC 390: What To Expect

Launched in 2014, the KTM RC 390 has remained more or less the same over the last five years. Meanwhile, the 390 Duke received a thorough overhaul in 2017 with improved equipment and styling that’s bound to stay with us for a very long time. Naturally, KTM has decided to update the fully faired bike to match up to its naked sibling and stay relevant in its segment. Recently, we caught a glimpse of the new RC 390’s test mule in Austria, giving us a fair idea of what to expect from the upcoming bike, which is likely to be introduced as a 2020 model.

All-new styling:

While the previously spotted test mule retained some bodywork from the current-gen RC 390, the new spy pictures reveal a whole new design for the bike. The bodywork appears to be larger and more angular than before and also seems to feature a larger fuel tank. The front fascia of the updated RC 390 does away with the sharp and pointed nose section and twin projector headlight setup. Instead, the front fairing has been pulled further back and gets a rounded profile, a taller windscreen and a single projector headlight. From the looks of it, the turn indicators have been  incorporated into the front fairing rather than the rearview mirrors.

The rear quarter-panels of the bike have also been redesigned for a sleeker look and features a squarish LED tail light.

Revised ergonomics: 

Rider and pillion comfort was never the RC 390’s strong point as it was meant to be a track tool. The new bike, however, seems to stray away from this perception as it gets a redesigned subframe and by extension, newly designed seats as well. To elaborate, the pillion seat looks larger and flatter, offering more surface area than on the current version. The new subframe itself isn’t as sharply inclined as before, at least it doesn’t appear to be. This could mean more comfort for the pillion and less things for them to crib about. The picture suggests that the rider triangle has also been worked on, where the handlebar sits a tad taller than before for a slightly more relaxed riding position.

Also Read: KTM 790 ADV India Launch Likely in 2020

Larger Euro 5/BS6-compliant motor:

There are rumours that the RC might see a marginal increase in engine displacement in a bid to meet stricter emission norms while still retaining the current engine’s performance. The updated model will also get a new catalytic converter and an exhaust end-can.

Also Read: BS6-complaint KTM 790 Duke To Launch In India Next Year

New features:

The 2020 RC 390 is likely to get a full colour TFT instrument console, much like the one on the new 390 Duke. Thanks to this, we could expect an updated left-hand-side switchgear which houses all the navigation buttons. Given KTM’s affinity towards LED lights, we expect the new RC  to sport LED headlamps as well. 

New underpinnings:

As mentioned earlier, the sub-frame bolted onto the trellis frame appears to be all new. Likewise, the WP fork on the RC could be updated to the separate function units which are similar to the ones of the current-gen 390 Duke. The brakes and wheels, on the other hand, seem to be carried over.