So, while everybody’s eyes are pinned at all the latest motorcycle unveilings from EICMA, KTM has stood up and screamed attention. They have showcased the 2016 edition of the RC390. The bike is manufactured in India and sold globally and gets some mechanical feature additions which will certainly enhance the already shocking VFMness it offers (at least in our country)…
With the introduction of slipper clutch in the Duke 390 (list of 20 changes), everyone has been waiting for this tech to trickle down to its faired sibling as well. The 2016 RC 390 finally gets that and more! It gains a new exhaust canister which looks minuscule and could have been more prominent.
2016 KTM RC390 – List of changes
Let’s have a look at all the changes one by one:
- The addition of slipper clutch will help in controlling slides. So now you can forget those uncomfortable slides from sudden upshifts. It will also make the clutch feel lighter which leads to reduced rider fatigue.
- New RC390 also gains Ride by Wire technology which ensures smooth throttle response. It not only guarantees perfect application of the readily available torque but also electronically transforms the throttle commands of the rider into throttle valve positions suited to the riding conditions.
- The bike also gets a newly designed exhaust system which is made with a combination of stainless steel underbelly pre muffler and aluminium absorption-type final exhaust. Inspired from the 1290 Super Duke R, the canister type silencer helps in making the bike Euro 4 compliant and KTM claims it also aids in centralisation of mass, strong and smooth power delivery.
- The fairing gets a little shorter and the crankcase cover is now completely visible from both the sides.
Also Read: List of Five Most Affordable ABS Equipped Motorcycles in India Under 2 Lakhs
Overall looks have remained unaltered and so have the power/torque output figures, which are already segment-leading by a significant margin. We expect KTM to launch the new 2016 RC390, with most of these changes, in India sometime early next year.
