2015 KTM RC390 Priced at US$5499

KTM North America officially announced U.S. pricing for the RC390, the Austrian manufacturer’s 373cc entry-level sportbike. At $5,499, the RC390 does land at the top end for sub-400cc sportbikes in the U.S., but not by very much. The tradeoff is some higher quality components that could give KTM a good chunk of the small sportbike market when it arrives in U.S. showrooms in the spring.

2015 KTM RC390 First Ride Review

The ABS-equipped RC390 is just $200 more expensive than the similarly ABS-equipped version of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 while offering an additional 77cc of engine displacement. The RC’s Single claims an output of 44 hp which gives it an edge over the 39 hp claimed by the Ninja’s Twin. The RC also claims a dry weight of 324 pounds which, even with fluids, should make it lighter than the Ninja’s claimed curb weight of 379 pounds.

The $4,990 Yamaha R3 comes a bit closer, claiming about 42 hp out of its 321cc Twin and a claimed wet weight of 368 pounds. The R3, however, is not available with ABS in the U.S. The ABS-equipped Honda CBR300R retails for $4,899 and claims a wet weight of 357 pounds but its 286cc Single is well down in power, claiming 30.4 hp.

One drawback for the RC390 is the 2.6-gallon fuel tank compared to 3.4 gallons on the CBR, 3.7 on the R3 and the Ninja’s relatively ginormous 4.5-gallon tank.

Discuss this at our KTM Duke 390 Forum.

The RC390 uses a tubular steel trellis chassis and 43mm fork from WP Suspension, giving it a big-bike feel its competitors lack. Other features include a digital LCD display, a compact twin LED headlight, 300mm front brake disc, turn signals integrated into the mirrors and a neatly tucked away underslung exhaust.

[Source: KTM]