2017 KTM RC 390 Test Ride Review

The KTM RC 390 is a motorcycle that has set a benchmark in the Indian market for its power, price, looks and so much more. The RC 390 was initially launched a couple of years ago. The motorcycle has become a mandatory motorcycle for most of the enthusiasts for the race track use. It has set its own benchmark in the Indian industry. So KTM in November 2016 showcased the updated version of the RC 390, which they launched on 19th January 2017 in India. The motorcycle hasn't received major updates as far as the looks are concerned, but KTM have to give it some minor updates, let's find out what KTM has got in store for us.

Looks And Design: As far as the looks are concerned, there is not much of a major update apart from the paint job. The most noticeable change is the addition of the side mounted exhaust to meet the Euro IV emissions norms. Every time I see RC390 I get reminded of the Transformers characters, it just looks so familiar to them. The split projector headlamps and the LED DRLs give it a nice and aggressive look and I must agree they do a fabulous job as far a the visibility is concerned. Coming to the side profile, as I said the most noticeable change is the side mounted exhaust. The motorcycle also gets a new belly pan. My personal favorite part of the motorcycle is the trellis frame that extends up to the rear seat. The rear section of the motorcycle remains the same. The RC390 now gets a new gloss paint job that includes black, white and orange colors. I somehow like this paint scheme more than the old one.

Engine And Performance: The 2017 KTM RC 390 is powered by a 373.2cc single cylinder, four stroke, liquid cooled engine that churns out a power of 44BHP and 35Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and KTM has managed to add on the Slipper Clutch on to the new RC 390 which it was lacking. The smoothest ride and the feel of the Slipper clutch was amazingly felt as I started to ride the motorcycle. Crank the engine and the motorcycle sounds totally different, some may like the exhaust and some may not, but I did like it when I rode the motorcycle and wasn't a huge fan of it when I was the spectator. Shifting of the gears I must say feel ultimately smooth nowhere there any lockups during aggressive downshifts. The engine feels a bit more smooth and refined after it met the new norms. The RC390 always has loads of power for the rider even at higher gears and lower RPM, which is the reason most of them love the machine. Vibrations are incident on the motorcycle, they are felt on the foot pegs and handlebars. Heating too is an issue in traffic conditions as the radiator frequently turns on. The throttle responds better and smoother, I'm happy that the fueling too has been improved thanks to the Ride by Wire. The side mounted exhaust has come into aid for the riders who take up aggressive corners and also from the huge speed breakers. When we compare it to the old RC the changes aren't seen much.

Ergonomics: KTM have fairly increased the seat height to 820 mm with more cushioning and comfort. The motorcycle weighs 147kg kerb and has a fuel tank capacity of 10 liter. KTM have provided wider mirrors that function better, the riding position feels very aggressive and can be painful in the city rides. Finally, the RC gets an adjustable brake lever. KTM also say that the oil seal has been replaced to avoid the spill of the oil.

Switchgear And Instrument Panel: The switch for the headlamps is gone to meet the rules stated by the government. The fit and finish of the buttons are almost similar to every other KTM motorcycle in our nation. The instrument panel is loaded with hell lot of features such as a Speedometer, Tachometer, Gear shift indicator, trip, average fuel economy, clock, trip meter, ABS light indicator and so much more which will need a separate article for me to finish. KTM have also added loads of sensors to the motorcycle like, Lean Angle sensor, stand sensor, the motorcycle doesn't turn on in first gear if the stand is on and a huge list of sensors too.

Brakes And Suspension: The brakes of the new RC have been drastically improved, the pattern of the disc brake has been changed to provide a better heat dissipation, the bigger disc come with larger holes too. The front end gets a 320mm disc brake and the rear gets a 230mm disc with a better master cylinder piston travel to improve braking. KTM also provide ABS that function really well when compared to the old RC, I am very happy that the braking has been improved a lot. The new RC gets (110/70 ZR17- front and 150/60-ZR17 -rear) the super sticky Metzeler tires that improve the riders confidence on the tight corners. The suspension set up is pretty decent it can actually be improved to give the rider a softer riding feel on the city roads. The front suspension gets an Upside fork with a travel of 125mm and the rear gets a mono shock suspension with a travel of 150mm.
Pros:

* Killer price.
* Unbeatable Performance.
* Loaded with features.
* Slipper clutch.
* Ride by wire.

Cons:

* Vibrations are felt.
* Heat from the engine can be reduced.
* The quality of plastics should be improved.
Verdict:

The RC 390 is a great companion for the rider and has been the king of the segment ever since its launch. The motorcycle can just out power its rivals like the Yamaha R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300. Now that Benelli has promised the launch of the Tornado 302 in a month's time, we must wait and watch how it competes against the RC390.

Photographs By: Arvindan Balaji
Review By: Rishath Suresh
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