New for 2015; the KTM RC390

Besides the 200 horsepower superbikes arriving for 2015 (BMW, Aprilia, Yamaha, Kawasaki), the most anticipated bikes are the small displacement sport bikes. The Yamaha R3, Honda CBR300 and the KTM RC390 are new or extensively modified for 2015.

While we expected good things from Yamaha and Honda, KTM’s entry into the class and the Canadian market was a bit of a surprise. The KTM RC390 was going to be a bit more expensive with a bigger displacement motor and premium spec suspension. They also promised a road race spec version to go with the street version. With the new bikes coming to Canada for 2015, RACE, CSBK and SOAR racing clubs have all been looking at new small bike road race classes.

As a motorcycle road racer with experience racing a small displacement single (the infamous CBR250 Loud Bitch), I was impressed with the advance information on the KTM and put in my order at Christmas time. Merry Christmas to me!

The KTM RC390’s arrived in Ontario dealerships the last week of April. Mine was picked up the first weekend in May.

From Street Bike To Road Racer

Before telling the story of my conversion of the bike from street bike into road racer, a few words about the KTM as a street bike. Firstly, the riding position is sporty. This will never be confused as a cruiser or street standard. The bars are low but wide enough to give decent leverage. The seat is short and narrow and not designed for XXXL size backsides. The passenger seat is shaped like a sport bike tail section which looks neat but would be a challenge for your passenger to enjoy her/his ride.

The bodywork is even nicer looking than the photos in the bike magazines. The bodywork is multiple plastic panels that are easily removed. The sound from the stock exhaust was great. Throaty and nicely tucked away under the bike. It definitely doesn’t need an aftermarket pipe for street riding.

The ride is firm and the Chinese made Pirelli tires stick just fine for the street. The “premium” suspension made by WP doesn’t have any front adjustment and only pre-load at the rear. I had hoped for a bit more but the suspension does work fine for me.

I have read all of the road tests on these bikes. Some of the comments on the KTM RC390 say that the brakes on the KTM are on the weak side with some fade. They certainly aren’t any worse than the brakes on the Honda CBR250/300. I would suggest anyone who isn’t happy with the brakes should change the front brake pads for something a bit more aggressive. I put on a set of EBC sintered pads and the improvement was significant. The KTM RC390’s all come with ABS brakes and steel braided and coated brake lines. Most ABS systems are a bit more sophisticated than the Bosch stuff on the KTM but this one works just fine. Most riders won’t even notice the ABS until they have to do a panic stop.

The KTM mirrors need a special mention. They really add to the styling of the bike. They look great. But they really suck. I am used to mirrors that always show some of my arms in them, however the RC390 mirrors only show my arms and hips. They are low and not adjustable up and down enough to make them of any use. Someone at KTM decided Canada wouldn’t get the European spec mirrors with built in signal lights. Maybe the EU spec mirrors work ok. Be prepared to do a lot of shoulder checks!

The dash is 100% digital with no analog dial gauges. I am getting used to 100% digital as will those who buy an RC390. The tach part of the dash is small and somewhat hard to read but it has a nice big adjustable shift light that helps make the speedometer readings big and clear. The manual (in a real nice case by the way) shows clear steps on what you can change on the dash and how.

Gas mileage is a lot like the other small bikes in this class. I got over 40 mpg while still in break in mode. Not quite as good as some of the gutless little econo-box cars they sell now, but still decent. Look for non-ethanol premium fuel for the RC390 as it likes this stuff best.