KTM RC390

The track conditions are less than perfect right now. It rained a while ago, and the circuit is still wet in places. I am advised to take it easy for the first few laps. A bike as powerful as this one can be quite a handful if you don’t know how to handle it. Mind you, it’s not a tough motorcycle to ride, but it demands respect. This is not your average 100cc machine. As I get the go-ahead, I proceed from the pit lane and make my way onto the open track. From here on, it’s a rollercoaster ride. 

If you’re familiar with this motor, you’ll know that the liquid-cooled, 373cc single-cylinder engine pulls hard. You are pushed back as all 43 horses are let loose through that rear wheel. Right now, self-preservation should be a top priority for me, but I manage to drop that thought through the second corner. The 150mm-wide rear Metzeler tyre just grips and grips as that motor continues to pull.

The best part about all this is, though the track conditions are less than perfect, the bike is holding up pretty well. The riding position is way more focused than that of any bike in the segment. The clip-on handlebar returns accurate feedback, telling you exactly what the front wheel is up to. This might not be the most comfortable riding position, especially considering the fact that most RCs will spend more time on public road than on race tracks. But, if you’re looking for a small-capacity, road-legal track bike, this is it.

A few laps in, my initiation on this motorcycle is complete. On the straights, the RC390 manages to go all the way to 165 kph in fifth gear before the rev limiter kicks in. By now, the long straight is curving into a left-hand corner. Pulling the front brake lever hard, I downshift quickly. You can feel the 300mm Bybre disc up front working frantically along with those sticky tyres in shedding all that speed as quickly as I gained it.

The RC390 has ABS as standard, and that’s a good thing for an average bloke like me who doesn’t spend too much time tearing up racetracks. It also gave me the confidence to brake late going into a corner. If you’re a seasoned rider, and don’t like the ABS telling you what to do, you have the option of completely switching it off.

As soon as I get off the brakes, I’m back on the throttle. The ride feels hard thanks to the stiffer suspension setup. The firm ride won’t be a hit with everyone, but it’s that extreme nature of the bike that you’ll fall in love with. With the RC, it’s not about the largest market share or pleasing everyone looking for a faired bike. It’s a no-nonsense sports bike than simply loves to play hard.

KTM’s Moto3 pedigree is pretty evident on this road-going monster. In fact, KTM uses the same bike for the ADAC Junior Cup races held in Germany. Apart from the bits that make it fit for road use a headlight, indicators, tail-light, and exhaust - this is pretty much the same motorcycle used in ADAC.

Time flies when you’re having fun, and before I know it, the marshal calls me back to the pits. My 20 minutes of track time are over, though it felt like I’d only been out for about 10.

I get a chance to take a closer look at the motorcycle as Parag takes a few static pictures. I realise that the RC390 is not just a great bike to ride: it looks pretty good, too. Though it carries the RC family look, it doesn't look anything like the RC8. The projector headlamps and LED headlight sit right on the beak, beneath the large speed screen, which merges well with the rest of the fairing.

The turn indicators have been integrated into the rear view mirrors to reduce drag. I even like the way the designers have camouflaged the pillion seat as a seat cowl. It is a comfy seat for the pillion, but then, pillion comfort is not a priority for this motorcycle. What does remind me of the RC8 is the tail-light section.