The range of KTM latest bikes consists of the 200 Duke, 250 Duke, 390 Duke, RC200 and the RC390. The other 51% is owned by CROSS Industries AG, affiliated to KTM’s current CEO, Stefan Pierer. A year later, it increased its stake to 25% and eventually, BAL managed to acquire 49% of the KTM brand. Initially, in November 2007, it acquired a 14.5% stake in KTM Power Sports AG. KTM bikes India innings commenced in 2007, when Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) of India started its gradual acquisition of KTM. Owing to a global meltdown of the motorcycle industry in the 1980’s, KTM Motorfahrzeugbau AG had to file for bankruptcy in 1991. In 1984, KTM started to develop a liquid-cooled four-stroke motorcycle, commencing mass production of the first LC4 engine in 1987 – a concept that over the decades became a typical KTM success story. Riders Heinz Kinigadner and Trampas Parker laid the foundations for the modern KTM legend, with three World Championship titles in the next decade and unassailable off-road competences of modern times. The highlights of the 1970s included the powerful 50cc models and the first Motocross World Championship title, won for KTM in 1974 by Russian rider Gennadij Moiseev in the 250cc class. Out of all KTM bikes, the company entered the US market with a 125cc motocross motorcycle in 1968, and word of the overseas race wins soon began to circulate in Europe. The company, which was then officially called KTM, immediately took up racing and tasted success in its nascent stage. The new-gen KTM RC 390 is expected to be launched in India in early 2022 and it will be priced under Rs 3 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi.In 1951, the company started designing a KTM two-wheeler of its own and two years later, the KTM R100 production series, the first motorcycle from KTM, was launched.
The engine comes mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. same amount of power but around 1 Nm torque more than before. This motor develops 43.5 PS of maximum power and 37 Nm of peak torque, i.e. It is powered by a BS6 compliant 373.2cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine. The new-gen KTM RC 390 gets the same engine as its predecessor, though with some minor tweaks.
It gets a host of electronic aids too which include KTM’s Supermoto ABS mode, cornering ABS, and cornering traction control system along with an optional bi-directional quick-shifter. The riders will be able to control music playback and phone calls on the go using its new switchgear. In terms of features, the second-gen RC 390 gets an all-new Bluetooth-enabled TFT display that also supports KTM’s My Ride application. The new RC 390 gets a completely re-designed bodywork and chunky fairing that enhances the overall appeal of the motorcycle. It also gets a new visor that provides wind protection and aids in the motorcycle’s aerodynamics. At the front, it gets a new layout for the headlamp that features an all-LED set-up along with LED turn indicators cum DRLs.
Compared to the old KTM RC 390, this new supersport motorcycle has got a complete makeover in terms of design and it even weighs nearly 7 kg less than its predecessor. The new-generation KTM RC 390 looks identical to the other RC-series motorcycles. Ahead of its official launch, the new-gen version of this supersport motorcycle from the house of the Austrian two-wheeler maker has been listed on the company’s India website. The company has also revealed that the second-generation KTM RC 390 will be launched in India in a few months’ time. In fact, India is the first country to get these new motorcycles. Now, just a few days ago, KTM launched the new-gen RC 125 and the RC 200 in the Indian market. KTM unveiled its new second-generation RC-series motorcycles globally in August this year.