Test Drive: KTM RC 390

Reviewed and Photos by Ren Alcantara

The first time I ever saw a sportbike, was at about 8 years old. It was in a store in Makati—Park Square, I think—and I remember being absolutely fascinated by it. That day started my love affair with motorcycles. Now, as a grown man, and with a bike of my own, I still feel giddy at the sight and sound of a nice sportbike. KTM, a brand that has made quite a splash in the country thanks to their 390 Duke, was kind enough to let me borrow their RC 390 to review. Some may scoff at the small displacement, or the single cylinder. I think, however, as many like me, that this is much more a sportbike than many people give it credit for.

DESIGN 5/5

There’s something about the RC 390 that just revs my engine. It’s a combination of sharp lines, an aggressive, low-slung stance, and slim tail that comes together to make a bike that in my eyes, has looks that rivals any screaming 600. It has a distinct face that’s quite unlike anything else out there, and if you weren’t standing right next to it, you wouldn’t be faulted for thinking it was a bigger bike than it was.

It looks like it means business, and dares you to sit in the saddle. It comes in an orange, white, and black that’s distinctly KTM, and reinforces the feeling that you’re part of a racing team, without looking garish. The headlight, which is a love-itor-hate-it kind of deal, has me sitting firmly in the “love it” camp, and gives it a look that won’t be mistaken as any other bike on the road. Seriously, the longer I stare at it, the better it looks. I doubt you will feel any different.

HARDWARE 4/5

The beating heart of the RC 390 is a single-cylinder 373.2cc water-cooled, four-stroke engine. This puts out about 43 HP, which might not seem like much, but in a bike that’s all of 147 kg dry, it goes a long way. To match the power from the engine are a 320mm rotor at the front, and a 230mm rotor for the rear wheel. Brakes are ByBre, which, if the name hasn’t clued you in, are developed by Brembo, so you know they’re up to snuff. ABS comes standard on the RC. The tank takes 10L of fuel, and with a rated fuel consumption of about 3.5L for 100km, this is going to put quite a few miles between refills.

The dash is spartan, compared with the full-color digital deal on the Duke, but it’s plenty informative, and very easy to read. Everything, including the fuel gauge, is clear with a quick glance down. You even get real-time fuel consumption, which is quite a nice bonus. Overall, it’s a very newbie-friendly bike.

USER EXPERIENCE 5/5

Despite its position as a starter bike, it’s more than possible for an older hand to have fun with it, and I had every intention of doing so. It’s incredibly agile, even compared to the already capable Duke. It takes rider input very quickly, and doesn’t require much persuasion to change direction at all. The throttle is also quite eager, but unlike the Duke, the more aggressive riding position feels less like it’s trying to buck you off, even with a heavier hand on the throttle. There’s plenty of room to tuck in if you want to take full advantage of the windscreen, but also enough space to ride a little more upright, as long as you have the height for it.

As a commuter, it performs well. It’s slim enough to get between lanes, with more than enough pull to get off the line and out of a sticky situation. The engine makes plenty of torque down low, and will more than adequately pull under the 2000 RPM line, and delivers power smoothly until the shift light blinks on. It’s also pleasantly smooth for a single, without the hand-numbing buzz that plagues many other thumpers out there when you stay pegged at higher RPMs for a while. Riding at night is made pleasant with the bright headlamp, though I would appreciate a little more throw, as this bike is meant to leave asphalt behind it quickly.

Make no mistake, this is a sportbike. The riding position will soon take a toll on your back, and if, like me, you’re all of five feet and four inches, you might not have the reach to sit more upright in the saddle. It’s not quite as cramped and aggressive as a 600 supersport, but it’s slightly less uncomfortable than the sport tourer on which I am accustomed. It’s a plus then, that you can zip happily past traffic and get to your destination quickly, before your back starts complaining. The gearbox is top-notch, popping into each gear reassuringly every time. I had no false neutrals, and the gear indicator on the dash, as well as a neutral light, reassure newer riders who might want a little confirmation that everything is going according to plan.

For me, the RC 390 checks all the right boxes. It looks great, feels planted and sure in the corners, pulls out of them just as well, and commutes more than acceptably as a daily driver. It’s a blast to ride, and each time I hopped on, I had a little smile on my face, because I knew I would be having fun getting to where I was going.

VALUE 3.5/5

At about PHP 300,000, the RC 390 is among one of the more expensive single-cylinder bikes out there, but given the racing DNA, exceptional performance, great looks, and superb handling, it’s worth every peso. While it’s capability as a commuter will be limited by how long your back can take it, you’re not going to regret the purchase once you take it onto the track, or up some nice, twisty mountain roads.

What’s Hot:

-Gorgeous

-So wonderfully agile

-Great, predictable power

What’s Not:

-A bit pricey

-Not built for comfort

Bottomline :

As a starter bike, track bike, or fun little weekend ride, the RC 390 is hard to beat.

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