The 2016 KTM RC 390 gets a host of upgrades including a slipper clutch and Ride by Wire and will see a marginal hike in prices in the Indian market.
The 2015 EICMA Motorcycle Show was quite a treat for KTM fans as a host of new models made their debut while upgrades were announced for the existing range. One of the most significant upgrades made it to the 2016 KTM RC 390 that is now loaded on new and sophisticated equipment improving its appeal even further. Expected to make its Indian debut at the 2016 Auto Expo, the fully faired motorcycle was recently spotted in India for the first time near the company’s Chakan based facility.
Talking about the upgrades, the 2016 KTM RC 390 gets a slipper clutch (already available on the Duke 390), followed by Ride By Wire (RbW) for smoother acceleration and improved fuel economy and a larger 320 mm front disc brake for better stopping power. Further, the bike gets an adjustable front brake and clutch lever, and a new side-mounted aluminium exhaust muffler replacing the underbelly unit that complies with Euro 4 emission norms. The latter is not susceptible to scraping either during hard cornering or uneven roads that were seen on the underbelly unit.
Lastly, KTM has upgraded to larger rearview mirrors on the 2016 RC 390 that offer better visibility and are not just showpieces like the outgoing ones. In terms of powertrain, the motorcycle gets no changes with power coming from the same 373.2cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine tuned to churn out 43.5 PS of power and 35 Nm of torque, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. The WP USD forks at the front and a monoshock setup at the rear continue on the bike with no changes.
In addition to the upgrades on the 2016 edition, also expect to see a price revision on the 2016 KTM RC 390. Prices for the current range start at Rs. 2.10 lakhs (ex-showroom, Mumbai) and could witness a marginal increase in numbers of around Rs. 10-15,000/- justified by the new equipment. With the host of upgrades and really sophisticated hardware on offer, the RC 390 turns out to be one of the more sought after performance offerings on sale in the country.
Source – The Super Bikers League on Facebook