KTM 990 RC R Teased Ahead of Global Debut in 2025
The KTM 990 RC R is currently in its second phase of testing. Globally, the bike will lock horns with the Ducati Panigale V2 and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R.
By Sanorita
KTM has officially teased the 990 RC R, which is currently in the second phase of testing. The superbike is inspired by the RC 8C. It has a 990cc LC8c parallel-twin cylinder engine that generates a maximum power output of 128bhp and a peak torque of 103Nm. The bike is equipped with a new stainless steel muffler, encased in a steel trellis frame supported by WP Apex Open cartridge suspension and a configurable monoshock. It has adjustable footpegs to fine-tune the rider triangle. Other notable features of the bike may include ABS modes, wheelie control, ride modes, and traction control.
Also Read: KTM's 650cc Duke Spotted Testing in Europe, Could be Locally Developed with Bajaj
The Austrian manufacturer will also introduce a track-only version of the bike. For the track-bred machine, the company will remove road-legal parts, tweak hardware, update racing bodywork, and add safety features.
New KTM 390 Adventure Spied Testing in India
A production-ready KTM 390 Adventure was spotted testing in India last month, with rally-inspired styling. The test mule had a tall fairing, a spoked wheel arrangement, a beak-type fender, and a slim tail portion, similar to KTM's Dakar rally bikes. In addition, it was equipped with unique-looking LED turn indicators and vertically stacked projector LED headlamps. The taller windscreen and rally-inspired high-mounted colour TFT display were among other notable design bits.
The test mule appeared to sport 19/17-inch wire-spoked wheels (with Metzeler Tourance tyres), indicating that it is a tourer. Notably, KTM plans to introduce the 390 Adventure in two versions: the Enduro and the Adventure. The Enduro is expected to have 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels with Reise trailR tyres.
Mechanically, the 2025 model will likely have a new 399cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine found in the 2024 KTM 390 Duke. Mated to a six-speed gearbox, this unit produces 45bhp at 8,500rpm and 39Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm in the Duke.
The KTM bike is anticipated to have its premiere at the EICMA in November of this year, however, there is no official word on this.
