Ktm duke 390 vs Ktm rc 390. Which motorcycle is better?

The motorcycle industry does not stand still; back in 2013, the Ktm Duke 390 sports bike entered the market, which even then was able to surprise all speed lovers. The new product received the most modern technical and design solutions, because the engine had high performance, and a special information console was responsible for the style.

In addition, the motorcycle received excellent Metzeler tires, which, together with the ABS system, made it possible to obtain the best grip on the road. Accordingly, even then the new product became one of the best in its class and other models began to follow its example.

Today, the main competitor of the legendary model is its relative KTM RC 390. The manufacturer considers this model to be very powerful and relatively inexpensive. So it is, the rather ridiculous price does not at all correspond to the characteristics of the engine of this miracle. Both models have many advantages, as well as disadvantages, but many, having seen these two motorcycles, wondered: which is better - ktm duke 390 or ktm rc 390? Let's figure it out based on tests and other experiments.

Long-distance testing of KTM motorcycles

The 2013 Duke 390 was designed purely to be a fast vehicle, but not for long-distance travel. A fairly powerful motor sometimes produces amazing results despite its small size. Durable engine components allow the motorcycle to be positioned as a high-speed bike for the city and highways. Reviews from satisfied customers say that the motorcycle shows excellent speed data even after tens of thousands of kilometers of operation. Accordingly, you can be sure that the motorcycle is ideal for short-distance touring trips.

As for the competitor - the KTM RC 390 model, the superior bike wins due to a large number of advantages. The main disadvantages of the RC 390 are:

• Small and therefore uncomfortable rear seat
• Sports fit, which makes it impossible to travel for a long time
• The gas tank has a volume of only 10 liters, so you will have to refuel often
• The rims are weak, because the suspension size of 125 mm puts a large load on the motorcycle

Judging by the long trip test, the winner is the Duke 390 model. In addition to more reliable characteristics for long trips, this model has a low price, which cannot be said about its competitor. If you want to ride on highways and short roads, use the sporty RC 390. But how do motorcycles perform on the track?

Motorcycle KTM DUKE 390

KTM RC390 2015 motorcycle review

A unique, unlike anything else sportbike.

The new KTM RC390 is very difficult to compare with anything. Yes, there are other sub-500cc sports bikes out there, but none boast the exotic, angular design of the RC390. Bigger is better purists are often dismissive of single-cylinder sportbikes, but the RC390 may convince many skeptics with its performance and flashy looks. KTM hasn't ceased to amaze us with its street bikes lately. 1190 Adventure , 1290 Super Duke R are simply gorgeous motorcycles that have already won many awards. The RC390 is the Austrian manufacturer's next step in its desire to move beyond its established image as an off-road-only company.

The RC390 continues Duke's of 125cc, 200cc and 375cc single-cylinder motorcycles and related RC models that are already in demand in global markets such as Europe and Asia. The bikes are also popular in India, where they are manufactured under the Bajaj , which has a small stake in KTM.

The RC390's stylish looks are surprisingly attractive for a motorcycle that won't cost more than $7,000 in America.

Over the past year, 30 thousand 125/200/390 models have been sold, which is quite a lot for street motorcycles from KTM, the manufacturer of motocross models. Due to them, the sales level over the last six months increased by 28% (70.5 thousand cars), and June 2014 was the best month for sales in the entire history of the company. Street models now account for half of KTM's revenue.

KTM's Indian division will soon begin shipping motorcycles to the North American market, with the 390 Duke and RC390 slated to launch in the US this December.

We recently returned from the presentation of the motorcycle for the press in Italy, where in the morning we rode the streets and slopes (and this, by the way, is the birthplace of Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati), and in the afternoon we ran laps on the Autodromo di Modena track, where the RC “outdid” its competitors in the form of a two-cylinder Kawasaki Ninja 300 , a single-cylinder Honda CBR300R or even a Honda CBR500R .

The RC390 is powered by a fuel-injected 375cc DOHC engine with premium components like a forged aluminum piston. The cylinder diameter and piston stroke are 89 millimeters and 60 millimeters, respectively, and the maximum permissible speed is slightly more than 10 thousand per minute.

The RC390's single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine design allows for a short wheelbase and a long aluminum swingarm. The powder-coated trellis tubular steel frame looks much cooler than any other entry-level sportbike frame. Robots do great welding.

The power of the RC390 motor is 32 kW, that is, 43 horsepower. Considering the 10 percent reduction in power when measured through the RC's six-speed gearbox, you can expect almost 40 horses at the rear wheel. According to KTM, the bike weighs around 147 kilograms without petrol in its 10-litre tank. Thus, there are about 3.4 kilograms per horsepower.

About daily matters

Big guys needn't fear the RC390: for a small-engined sportbike, it has surprisingly plenty of legroom. The 820mm seat height and relatively low footpegs make the motorcycle comfortable enough for riders taller than 180cm. The handlebars are flush with the top crossbar, so you have to reach a little further to reach them than on the CBR300 or Ninja 300. However, none of the levers can be adjusted to suit palm size or finger length, which is strange for a modern motorcycle aimed at the global market.

A 172-centimeter-tall driver expectedly sat comfortably behind the wheel of the RC390, but the 190-centimeter guy was also pleased with the ergonomics of the motorcycle. Notice how the stainless steel exhaust system is almost completely hidden inside the lower body.

The soft and pliable stroke of the clutch lever ensures an easy start of the bike, which is also facilitated by good torque at low speeds; The RC390 is arguably quicker at low revs than the CBR300 or Ninja 300. Short gears shift very smoothly, and the transmission handles clutchless upshifts well.

There's a small gap somewhere in the mid-range where the engine sag a little and gives in a little slack, but the tiny scale and numbers on the tachometer made it impossible to determine the exact speed of the revs. Otherwise, the digital instrument panel is good: there is fuel economy information, a fuel level and temperature indicator, a gear indicator and a programmable indicator light to notify you when a gear change is required. The mirrors are quite wide, but they are partially covered by the driver's forearms.

The digital instrument panel is good because it displays a lot of information, but the tachometer (scale on top) is too small.

The RC was not as nimble as we expected from a motorcycle with a steep rake (23.8°) and a small wheelbase (1341 mm). However, it corners easily and is quite stable. The firm seat is comfortable and easy to move around, but by the end of the test drive I was tired of its rigidity.

The suspension produced by WP Suspension, a subsidiary of KTM, is responsible for softening the ride. The fork is a robust 43mm unit, the same diameter used on the RC8R . The rear suspension is a single shock absorber design with an aluminum swingarm. The suspension left a pleasant impression after many uneven sections of the road, and the only adjustment options are the spring preload.

The matte black tail section is actually the rear seat, which is made from a special material from Canada, used for the first time on a motorcycle. The handrails are conveniently installed at the bottom.

The RC's braking system is better than the competition, with a steel brake line up front driving a four-piston radial caliper on a 300mm disc. The caliper brand is ByBre, and it itself was developed by Brembo and manufactured in India. The rear 230mm disc is compressed by a single-piston caliper. Bosch 9MB dual-channel anti-lock braking system is standard and can be switched off as desired.

According to KTM, the brakes have been designed to provide a wide range of control for varying levels of braking in city street conditions. At first they seemed underpowered due to their softness, but you just need to get used to it and squeeze the brake lever a little harder and further.

On straight and free sections of the road during the street part of the test drive, the motorcycle accelerated to the coveted 100 mph (160 km/h) without any problems. In general, the bike feels quite comfortable on the highway, at least in terms of engine performance. The balance shaft dampens strong vibration, and the increase in speed when overtaking is quite brisk: acceleration from 110 to 130 kilometers per hour in sixth gear took about three seconds.

Test drive on the track

The race track is the best place to test the performance of a sportbike, and KTM chose the perfect track to test drive the RC390. The Autodromo di Modena is a technically challenging one and a half mile long circuit with many turns following each other.

This morning's ride showed the RC390's agility on the streets, but it was on the track that the bike really shined. Yes, you are unlikely to be able to stand on your rear wheel at the start, but the pleasure and excitement of reducing your lap time by tenths of a second is no less than driving a more expensive and high-speed sportbike.

Don't even doubt it: racing 40-horsepower sportbikes with friends is incredibly fun! Rich people can even buy at least four RC390s for the price of one Panigale R.

The baby KTM joyfully and dashingly fits into every turn: its low weight allows you to instantly change direction, and the rigid chassis stays firmly on the asphalt and inspires confidence even during aggressive maneuvers. The cornering ground clearance will not allow you to be completely reckless on turns because of the pegs, but this is not surprising for this class of motorcycles. A set of rear footpegs is available in the KTM Power Parts catalog.

The suspension, which seemed too good for city streets, does its job well on the track. The same can be said about the brakes. ByBre calipers may lack the incredible precision of top braking systems, but they do a great job of slowing the bike down and don't lose effectiveness as they heat up. The threshold for turning on ABS is quite high, and the system turned on only a few times during braking on bumps. If you want, you can turn off ABS by pressing a button on the dashboard.

Another upscale touch on the RC390 is the LED marker lights below the headlights. LEDs are also used as small turn signals. The front turn signals in the mirror mounts are almost invisible.

The bike's engine has an impressive and wide powerband compared to its competitors, although the rider's arms are not stretched out of their sockets during acceleration. According to the manufacturer, maximum torque (35 Newton meters) occurs at 7250 rpm, so it is better to keep the engine at high speeds. Maximum power is achieved at 9500 rpm.

Let’s repeat: rushing around the race track on a low-power and lightweight sportbike turned out to be wildly fun, and the smile never left the faces of drivers with decades of experience behind the wheel of powerful motorcycles. And for beginner athletes going to the track for the first time, the RC390 will be an ideal option.

The RC390 can teach you everything you need to know about driving on a race track, without intimidating the driver with its power and steep price.

But the RC drivetrain is certainly not perfect. In addition to the aforementioned flat section of the mid-range powerband, you can complain about the shift from third to fourth gear, which is a bit harsh if you rush it. Otherwise, the KTM engine performs better than all competitors with a volume of up to 400 cc.

Conclusion

Judging by how much joy and fun the test drive of the motorcycle brought, the KTM RC390 is quite capable of becoming a worldwide hit. Its technical characteristics and dynamics make the bike a must-see alternative for those considering buying a Kawasaki Ninja or Honda CBR. Combine all this with the RC's eye-popping design, and rival models seem a little outdated.

The RC390 rear tire (150/60-17) is slightly thicker than the CBR and Ninja (140/70-17). Notice how tiny the LED turn signals and tail light are.

Of course, it shouldn't surprise anyone that the RC will be more expensive than its class competitors, but the price difference may be less than you think. KTM hasn't announced an official retail price yet, but based on conversations with representatives who say the model will be very competitively priced, the bike won't cost more than $5,000 in the US.

By comparison, the new CBR300R and twin-cylinder Ninja 300 with anti-lock brakes cost $4,899 and $5,299 respectively in the US; without ABS they are $500 cheaper. Also don't forget about weight: if you don't take into account the different weight of gasoline in the tanks, the CBR (153 kg) and Ninja (162 kg) are both heavier than the RC390 (145 kg).

One of the advantages of a KTM motorcycle is its engine, which is more powerful than competing models. Its horsepower numbers are significantly higher than the 286cc Honda and slightly more than the 296cc Kawasaki. More importantly, the RC390 has better torque thanks to its larger engine displacement.

Other than the slight price difference, the RC390 has few downsides. The KTM dealer network is actively developing, but it cannot be compared with the number of showrooms and dealers of Japanese manufacturers. In addition, you will have to visit the dealer more often, since the manufacturer recommends maintenance every 7,500 kilometers (4,700 miles). It is recommended to adjust the valves after 15 thousand kilometers (9300 miles).

But these little things fade into insignificance when you consider the RC390's performance and appeal, which easily justify its price.

“Creating motorcycles for young audiences is one of the responsibilities of manufacturers,” said Thomas Kuttruf, KTM public relations manager, at the RC390 launch. In support of these words, the company already sponsors the ADAC Junior Cup race series in Germany and plans to similarly support the sport in the United States.

Track test

In any case, even from the photo you can be sure who will be the leader. The KTM RC 390 sports motorcycle was created specifically for racing, and therefore, after the release of the model, it repeatedly participated in various races, showing good results. Some compared it to the Daytona, but as a cheap replacement. To obtain excellent speed characteristics, the manufacturer made the following changes:

• Thanks to the aerodynamic plastic and shape, the bike handles better at higher speeds
• For track driving, a high ground clearance was created, which was higher than that of a competitor
• Compared to the Duke 390, the new product has a wheelbase increased by 27 mm, which gives better handling when cornering.
• The small seat of the KTM RC 390 allows you to have a comfortable fit like a sports motorcycle

In terms of speed, the undisputed winner is the KTM RC 390, because the motorcycle was originally created as a track model with a fast engine. So for now the score is 1:1.

Outdoor test

This test will decide the winner of the competition, which fans of the KTM brand have not been able to decide for themselves for a long time. As mentioned above, the Duke 390 has an urban purpose, but after testing on long roads, this opinion turned out to be untrue. The motorcycle will be able to ride in an urban environment, but it will be more difficult to do so than a sports model. This is explained by the fact that the Duke received a heavy clutch and high gears, while the PC 390, on the contrary, has a convenient structure for busy city roads. Thanks to its thin profile, the motorcycle can fit between cars in traffic jams. Also, the very smart sporty look attracts a lot of looks on the street. And the positive characteristics of the model are completed by double projection headlights, allowing you to drive comfortably and safely at night.

Motorcycle KTM RC 390

Winner

As you can see, the winner is the KTM RC 390 track motorcycle, defeating its competitor by a margin of 1 point. But often people choose Duke 390 due to its low pricing. A sports bike has a significantly higher cost. Therefore, if you intend to buy one of these motorcycles, but are still in doubt, choose the KTM brand, because, first of all, it is quality at an affordable price.

KTM

Seals are not only valuable fur. Kotiki is also an increasingly popular name for KTM motorcycles. Finally, I got a Cat who meets all my aspirations, the criterion of sufficiency and self-sufficiency. At least he and I look great in the photo!) The question of choice for me for this season was between sports and motard. A motard for the city is mega-convenient! There is no need for roads, just enough directions (yes, minor hooliganism has not yet been completely canceled))). Well, sportbikes are my girlish “I want it, I love it.” I like them, that's all. Women's logic, don't get into it. After all, last season the work-home journey on the YZF R6 sport bike took 1 hour 20 minutes, and on the KAYO T2 pit bike it took 40 minutes. The price of a travel motard this year makes me cry into my pillow at night. And an unlucky motard is a mediocre one. At one time, I regretted that there were no 400cc sports bikes on the market. Yes, there were certain examples, but they did not give me aesthetic pleasure. In the 600, everything is fine: there are many beautifully designed devices, and I have skated enough of them in my personal possession. But when I fell, I simply couldn’t pick them up from the “floor.” Their mass is not comparable to my physical fitness and parameters. So I tried really hard not to fall. A 165 cm tall pigtail looks very stupid next to a 200 kg upper abdominal apparatus on the side of the highway, upon entering which it “slipped on the sand.” And everyone knows the “responsiveness” of people in the metropolis... Drive by, laugh out the window. A calendar with the KTM RC 390 hangs above my desk in the office. And at home, in a place where I visit very often - above the cat's litter box))) The thought that a 400-acre apartment appeared, new (!), for a reasonable budget, began to torment my braids around April. I've been ripening all May. At the St. Petersburg exhibition, IMIS managed to try on the KTM RC 390 in terms of dimensions: miniature, light, bright, beautiful. My thighs cramped... I want it. And then they announced Orange day with an auction, in which the KTM RC 390 also participated. I can.

I don’t know why they charge such “sweet” prices. It didn't just make sense to fight. At these prices, you can now buy on the secondary market only hellish firewood of about six hundred cubic meters, which will be 10 or more years old. And here's NEW! Upon arrival, I was shaking for an hour. Neither cookies, nor lotteries, nor other distractions of the event helped. I jealously followed every young lady who glanced at the demonstration motorcycle. But my “corporate” manicure did its karmic work!

And now he is mine. KTM RC 390. Cat. Wildly stylish, matching my configuration, with a comfortable fit according to the initial sensations. I honestly don’t care about ABS, I don’t even know how it is in life, my reflexes were brought up in the pre-ABS era. But since it’s there, it’s probably needed for something. It’s just strange - one brake caliper (which is normal for a 400-sq.m.) and ABS. And then: BYBRE is the same BREMBO. You probably know that in order to live happily in a new house, a cat is the first to be let into it. In salon K, apparently there was such a special option, or a special employee - the cat Vasya) Following the tradition of making it ride well, I decided to be the first to put it on the saddle of a new motorcycle. Vasya hissed, sprinkled wool on the matte tank, broke free of his hands and with an independent look headed towards the Arctic Cat ATVs. A pig, not a cat...

As usual, the brains of a young lady in love turn on only after they are declared husband and wife. Tubular frame, wide mirrors - where to attach the slider?! What kind of arcs are there?.. So it is categorically contraindicated for me to fall again... I arrived home, laid out the documents for the purchase and felt wild devastation. Psychologists say that this always happens when a dream comes true. Therefore, the KTM RC 390 was it...