KTM fans could rejoice, as the Austrian manufacturer has launched an all new colour scheme for the 2017 Indian made RC lineup (read RC125, 200, 390) at Intermot 2016, Cologne in Germany.
While the 2017 KTM Duke 390 awaits for a major overhaul, its faired siblings has gone through a visual upgrade with new Bold graphics. The Matte black finish on the tank is all gone, and a new glossy black has been used to paint the tanks of the motorcycles. The Black, Orange and White colours are used perfectly to create a visual extravaganza. All the three sport bikes only get visual upgrades, and is expected to have a mechanical overhaul for 2017.
The RC125 and RC390 gets the conventional side mounted canister type exhaust that was spied at Chakan plant before, while the RC200 still remains with an underbelly unit. The RC125 might be EURO4 complaint (2016 RC390 is already EURO4 compliant), but there has been no news regarding this. We should have to wait till the EICMA to know more regarding the internal updates and EURO4 compliancy for the pocket rocket.
Coming to the RC390, the engine remains the same 373.2cc single cylinder, liquid cooled, four stroke engine capable of producing 44hp of power and 35Nm of torque. It is equipped with a slipper clutch, ride by wire system, Bosch 9M dual channel ABS, and a larger 320mm front disc, along with the new side mounted Aluminium exhaust. The outgoing European RC390 has the ride by wire system and Aluminium exhaust, while the Indian version would leave away these two for well known cost cutting measures.While the visual upgrades are done, here are the top 7 things we expect in the 2017 KTM RC390.
By: Aravind Rb
While the 2017 KTM Duke 390 awaits for a major overhaul, its faired siblings has gone through a visual upgrade with new Bold graphics. The Matte black finish on the tank is all gone, and a new glossy black has been used to paint the tanks of the motorcycles. The Black, Orange and White colours are used perfectly to create a visual extravaganza. All the three sport bikes only get visual upgrades, and is expected to have a mechanical overhaul for 2017.
The RC125 and RC390 gets the conventional side mounted canister type exhaust that was spied at Chakan plant before, while the RC200 still remains with an underbelly unit. The RC125 might be EURO4 complaint (2016 RC390 is already EURO4 compliant), but there has been no news regarding this. We should have to wait till the EICMA to know more regarding the internal updates and EURO4 compliancy for the pocket rocket.Coming to the RC390, the engine remains the same 373.2cc single cylinder, liquid cooled, four stroke engine capable of producing 44hp of power and 35Nm of torque. It is equipped with a slipper clutch, ride by wire system, Bosch 9M dual channel ABS, and a larger 320mm front disc, along with the new side mounted Aluminium exhaust. The outgoing European RC390 has the ride by wire system and Aluminium exhaust, while the Indian version would leave away these two for well known cost cutting measures.While the visual upgrades are done, here are the top 7 things we expect in the 2017 KTM RC390.
1. The RC390 has always been a beast when tamed, but the engine tends to stall and overheat in low revving traffic conditions. The low and mid range also needs to be taken care of, in the oncoming model along with better heat dissipation.
2. The front Brembo brakes feels a bit spongy at times during hard braking, and the brake pads require an update from the current ones (Though some aftermarket sintered pads are already being used).
3. The front headlight styling of the motorcycle has been a matter of debate ever since the launch, and requires a minor redesign to grab the eyeballs of the negative debaters. The headlamps could also be LED's, as its naked sibling gets a complete LED unit up front.
4. The digital speedometer console of the RC390 is great in terms of the information it shows up, but it is very difficult to read in bright daylight conditions. We expect a change of console, as seen on the previously spied 2017 Duke 390 which had a full colour TFT display.
5. Being a single cylinder big bore mill, the engine has always had vibrations felt at the levers and footpegs. The internals require a minor rework to keep those vibrations in check.
6. The front fork at times feel very stiff on broken roads, so a Dual function fork (one for damping and the other to handle rebound) is reportedly making its way to the Duke 390 which will obviously be fitted to its faired counterpart.
7. We also expect an overall Quality improvement, as few parts wear out/break quicker than its competitors.
2. The front Brembo brakes feels a bit spongy at times during hard braking, and the brake pads require an update from the current ones (Though some aftermarket sintered pads are already being used).
3. The front headlight styling of the motorcycle has been a matter of debate ever since the launch, and requires a minor redesign to grab the eyeballs of the negative debaters. The headlamps could also be LED's, as its naked sibling gets a complete LED unit up front.
4. The digital speedometer console of the RC390 is great in terms of the information it shows up, but it is very difficult to read in bright daylight conditions. We expect a change of console, as seen on the previously spied 2017 Duke 390 which had a full colour TFT display.
5. Being a single cylinder big bore mill, the engine has always had vibrations felt at the levers and footpegs. The internals require a minor rework to keep those vibrations in check.
6. The front fork at times feel very stiff on broken roads, so a Dual function fork (one for damping and the other to handle rebound) is reportedly making its way to the Duke 390 which will obviously be fitted to its faired counterpart.
7. We also expect an overall Quality improvement, as few parts wear out/break quicker than its competitors.
By: Aravind Rb