KTM has silently introduced the 2016 KTM RC390 in the Indian market. Despite the addition of a few important technical updates, the new RC390 continues to retail for the older version’s sticker price of Rs 2,13,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
The 2016 KTM RC390 was globally unveiled at the 2015 EICMA Show in Milan, last year. The model came equipped with a slipper clutch, ride-by-wire throttle and a bigger 320mm front disc brake. It also got a new exhaust canister instead of the underbelly unit, to make the motorcycle Euro IV compliant. However, for the Indian market, KTM has refrained from introducing all these changes. The India-spec RC390 only gets the slipper clutch (also used in the Duke 390) and the always-on headlamps.
The slipper clutch limits the back-torque from the engine in the event of a mistimed downshift, which would have otherwise caused the rear wheel to lock up. Mechanically, the new KTM RC390 is identical to the previous model. It is powered by a 375cc single-cylinder engine, which delivers 44bhp and 35Nm torque through a six-speed transmission.
While it might be disappointing that KTM has not offered the other upgrades from the global model, the good part about this is the price tag. Had KTM introduced the other upgrades in the bike, it would have easily resulted in a price hike of around Rs 10,000. The KTM RC390 competes with other fully-faired motorcycles like the Yamaha YZF-R3 and the Kawasaki Ninja 300.
