Look Again: SPY SHOTS: Next generation KTM RC390 spotted TESTING.

We showed you these first-look photos of KTM’s next generation RC390 sportbike a couple of weeks ago and figured it was worth putting them out again in case you missed them.

Next year’s bike has been spotted out testing in Austria by our spy snapper and he’s sent us some shots of the new machine in action.

First introduced at EICMA back in 2013, KTM’s RC390 has cemented itself as one of the go-to choices for A2 licence holders looking for a mid-capacity sportbike. Originally earmarked for sale for growing markets (predominantly) in Asia and South America – it sits in an extremely important segment within the motorcycle market. And that’s reflected in the growing number of models on offer with similar technical specifications. There’s the Kawasaki Ninja 400, the Honda CBR500R, and there’s also a new Yamaha YZF R3. And presumably, that’s why KTM has decided to update its RC390 for 2020.
As is the case with most of KTM’s smaller capacity machines, the RC390 will be developed and produced in conjunction with the Austrian brand’s Indian partner (and stakeholder) Bajaj – just like its new 390 Adventure.

The spy shots of the next generation RC390 out in Austria give us a good idea of what to expect for 2020. First off, there’s a modified handlebar, a bigger tank, more substantial brakes up front, and by the looks of it, a large TFT-instrument panel too. That’s not all, it appears that the rear subframe has been redesigned too, presumably in an attempt to help offer more comfort for pillion passengers, while its main frame has only been modified slightly.

It’ll be powered by KTM’s well-know, and well-loved 373ccm-one-cylinder-engine, while will be improved by the addition of a new cylinder head, a new exhaust manifold and a new big pre-muffler, to ensure the bike meets Euro 5 emissions- and noise-level-regulations.

At this stage, that’s about as much as we know about KTM’s new machine. We can speculate about the fairing – which we’ve heard whispers will have a notably RC8 feel too it – but in reality, we’ll just have to wait until the bike either appeas in the flesh at one of the big bike shows later this year (or is caught out testing in a closer to finished form). Either way, we can’t wait to see it in the flesh.