2022 KTM RC 390 Review

[Hugh Janus]

Might the 2022 KTM RC 390 be the best small-bore sportbike on sale today? It makes a great argument as such. (Adam Campbell/)

There is much to be said for riding a slow bike fast. There is even more to be said about riding a slow bike that’ll go really fast under the right conditions. And the bike we’ve got in mind here is the 2022 KTM RC 390, maybe the best budget-conscious baby sportbike on the market.

Light on its feet, easy to ride, and easy on the wallet at a starting price of $5,799, the RC could also be the best beginner’s racebike on the market.

Beginner's racebike or fuel-sipping commuter? The KTM RC 390 can be both. (Adam Campbell/)

Cycle World’s Road Test Editor Michael Gilbert investigated the RC’s “Ready to Race” qualities, and found on the Streets of Willow Springs racetrack that the little speeder excelled in many ways. But what about on the streets of Los Angeles?

The RC is built around KTM’s well-developed single-cylinder 373cc engine and augmented with a world of sophisticated rider-assist features. A new ride-by-wire system incorporates improved engine mapping, throttle maintenance, and multi-setting “Spin Adjuster” traction control, plus cornering ABS and a Supermoto ABS setting. A slipper clutch, and possibly the optional clutchless quickshifter, help optimize the RC 390′s 40.2 hp and 24.4 pound-feet of torque. Stainless steel headers and aluminum exhaust pipe deliver a growly rumble. The six-speed gearbox requires a fair bit of attention, even with the quickshifter, but puts the power where it needs to be.

A 373cc single powers the RC 390, putting out 40.2 rear-wheel horsepower and 24.4 pound-feet of torque. (Adam Campbell/)

With all that shifting, the soft clutch pull helped; a Rekluse aftermarket clutch is also an option. Brakes were very responsive, with fantastic stopping power from a 320mm disc up front and a 230mm disc behind, backed up by Bosch two-channel ABS. The WP Apex suspension at both ends kept the RC 390 glued to the ground.

Feel from the front brake is strong and stops the bike well, however on the <i>Cycle World</i> test strip the RC 390 returned a longish 147 feet to stop from 60 mph. (Adam Campbell/)

The clip-ons are adjustable, with selections appropriate for both lapping the track and splitting lanes on the way home. There is less adjustment elsewhere, shifter, brake pedal, seat; rider adjustment or aftermarket parts are required if the ergos don’t suit.

But the overall result is a lively and flickable canyon carver, perfect for short blasts through the Topanga twisties or the Angeles Crest curves. At speed the bike feels lighter than its advertised dry weight of 342 pounds. Handling is intuitive; the RC 390 corners as if drawn by a string, so effortless that RC might stand for radio-controlled.

Bending a corner is easy on the RC 390; think it and it is done. (Adam Campbell/)

Fast is fun, faster is funner. Gilbert found speeds of 100 mph easy to achieve and maintain on the track. On the street, except perhaps on a fast-moving freeway, it’s hard to keep this frisky fellow under the speed limit.

The RC 390 is good-looking too, finished in KTM orange and black with unexpected splashes of cerulean blue and echoing the KTM RC16 factory racer. I noticed a lot of “Hey, what is that?” looks from other riders. Bright anodized accessory parts shine here and there. It looks fast standing still. Styling is bold; the headlight disappears into the bodywork when it’s not lit, and the taillights are so small, like the ember on a cigarette, that it’s hard to believe they’re legal. Everything combines to underscore the track bike DNA.

Hints of KTM’s RC16 MotoGP racer are found all over the RC 390. (Adam Campbell/)

That DNA may be a challenge for riders, like myself, who are not young, petite, or flexible. The suspension is stiff in all settings. The seat is hard. The rider triangle is tight. The footpegs are high enough to put your knees in your chest, but not high enough to avoid the occasional street-scraping in the tighter corners. The mirrors are tidy and set close to the center of the bike, so rearview information is minimal. The pillion seat is an afterthought; sitting on it is like sitting on a hatbox.

Ergonomics are on the tight side, but not as cramped as full-fledged superport. (Adam Campbell/)

Perhaps small things are best taken in small doses. I did mostly short runs here and there on the RC 390, and found my fuel economy ran about 60–62 mpg. The tank holds 3.6 gallons.

In the end, anyone’s feelings about this motorcycle may, as everything else in life, be a matter of expectation and perspective. The RC 390 isn’t a stallion like the 890 Duke or a draught horse like the 1290 Super Adventure. It’s a pony. But a really peppy pony.

2022 KTM RC 390 Specifications

MSRP:	$5,799
Engine:	DOHC, liquid-cooled single-cylinder
Displacement:	373cc
Bore x Stroke:	89.0 x 60.0mm
Transmission/Final Drive:	6-speed/chain
Cycle World Measured Horsepower:	40.2 hp @ 8,850 rpm
Cycle World Measured Torque:	24.4 lb.-ft. @ 6,880 rpm
Fuel System:	Electronic fuel injection w/ ride-by-wire
Clutch:	PASC anti-hopping slipper; mechanically operated
Frame:	Steel trellis tube
Front Suspension:	WP Apex 43mm inverted cartridge fork, compression and rebound adjustable; 4.7 in. travel
Rear Suspension:	WP Apex shock, rebound and spring preload adjustable; 5.9 in. travel
Front Brake:	4-piston ByBre caliper, 320mm disc w/ Cornering ABS
Rear Brake:	1-piston floating caliper, 230mm disc w/ ABS
Wheels, Front/Rear:	5-spoke wheels; 17 in. / 17 in.
Tires, Front/Rear:	Continental ContiRoad; 110/70-17/ 150/60-17
Rake/Trail:	23.5°/3.3 in.
Wheelbase:	52.9 in.
Ground Clearance:	6.2 in.
Seat Height:	32.4 in.
Fuel Capacity:	3.6 gal.
Average MPG:	60–62 mpg
Cycle World Measured Wet Weight:	365 lb.
Availability:	Now
Contact:	ktm.com

CW Measured Performance

Quarter-Mile:	13.99 sec. @ 94.29 mph
0–30 mph:	1.94 sec.
0–60 mph:	4.97 sec.
0–100 mph:	17.78 sec.
Top-Gear Roll-On, 40–60 mph:	5.84 sec.
Top-Gear Roll-On, 60–80 mph:	5.82 sec.
Braking, 30–0 mph:	35.31 ft.
Braking, 60–0 mph:	147.74 ft.

Source

[Sir Fallsalot]

They want to sort out their quality control that paint looks shit

[skyrider]

1 hour ago, Sir Fallsalot said:

They want to sort out their quality control that paint looks shit

yep it looks orange peel

[Sir Fallsalot]

42 minutes ago, skyrider said:

yep it looks orange peel

I was just thinking it looks like a bad casting they've painted over

[boboneleg]

It just looks cheap, that exhaust isn't going to last more than a year on salty UK roads.  Does a total disservice to the original RC8, KTM are just cheaping out lately

[Buckster]

12 hours ago, boboneleg said:

It just looks cheap, that exhaust isn't going to last more than a year on salty UK roads.  Does a total disservice to the original RC8, KTM are just cheaping out lately

It’s Chinese.

[Pedro]

21 minutes ago, Buckster said:

It’s Chinese.

[Tym]

When i was a kid we had 400cc 4 cylinder bikes, just saying. 

[skyrider]

1 minute ago, Tym said:

When i was a kid we had 400cc 4 cylinder bikes, just saying. 

yeah i have had two of those

[Buckster]

I bet it doesn’t drip oil.

[Pedro]

2 hours ago, Tym said:

When i was a kid we had 400cc 4 cylinder bikes, just saying. 

@Sofia had a 4 cylinder 250cc in England! pistons the size of thimbles…

[Tym]

The air cooled ones are my fav. 

[Sofia]

On 07/06/2022 at 21:53, Pedro said:

@Sofia had a 4 cylinder 250cc in England! pistons the size of thimbles…

 

My first bike!