Fully faired KTM RC390 Racebike showcased

Austrian motorcycle maker KTM has just showcased a fully faired race bike that will be used in the ADAC Junior Cup Motorcycle Race Series (The ADAC cup is a one make racing championship in Germany that serves as a platform for young motorcycle racers). Dubbed the RC390, the fully faired motorcycle uses the recently launched KTM Duke 390's engine and various other aggregates.

The KTM RC390's 373cc engine gets detuned to 37.48 Bhp while the kerb weight of the race-spec bike also goes down to about 130 kilograms. KTM, through its official blog, maintains that a 44 Bhp power output (Similar to what the KTM Duke 390 outputs) can be extracted from this engine, another indication that the race bike is based on the Duke platform. 

In that sense, the production version of the KTM RC390, scheduled to be unveiled at EICMA 2013 at Milan in November, could come with a higher power output. Also, the KTM RC390 race bike seems like a precursor to the production version given its Duke platform connection. That said, the fully faired motorcycle does come with a slew of changes when compared to the Duke 390. 

A new fuel tank, full fairing, a steeper steering rake angle, exposed frame on the middle and tail sections, and clip-on handle bars are the various changes on the KTM RC390.  On the production version, a few changes could be effected to make the motorcycle street friendly.

An extra seat for the pillion is expected to be added while the Akrapovic muffler will make way for a much more milder sounding exhaust muffler. The production version of the KTM RC390 could be positioned above the Duke 390 in terms of price, as KTM India's flagship product. Expect a first-half 2014 launch in the Indian market.

The KTM RC390 is expected to be followed by a touring version of the Duke 390, in line with the motorcycles that KTM sells under its Adventure line. Like all small capacity motorcycles based on the Duke platform (125, 200 and 390), the production version of the fully faired sportsbike will roll out of Bajaj Auto's Chakan production unit.

Bajaj Auto holds a 48% stake in KTM, and works closely with the Austrian motorcycle company to develop and produce big volume sportsbikes. These motorcycles are sold in India and are also exported to markets across the globe. Bajaj Auto's Chakan factory gives KTM attractive cost savings as labour and part costs in India are much cheaper than those at KTM's factory in Europe.

These cost savings have enabled KTM to position its motorcycles at attractive prices in many markets including the ones in Europe. KTM is now the largest motorcycle maker in Europe, after it usurped the top spot held by BMW Motorrad, last year.