Ktm RC390
Author
Discussion

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

Saturday 6th December
quotequote all
Hi,

All, I'm looking to downsize my bikes, for various reasons. I currently have a Ktm 990 Superduke, but find myself riding my Crf250 Rally much more. I get more joy using all that bike can offer, rather than tiptoeing around the superduke.

To that end I'm looking to move it on and get something smaller to enjoy on the road. I have seen a mega deal on the Ktm Rc390 for £3800 brand new, this is the current model.

Is there any feedback on here from owners? I am 6ft tall so a little concerned about not quite fitting on it, but Ktm are normally quite generous with their rider triangle sizing. Other than that, they look a hoot to ride.

Any feedback welcome, cheers.

Kawasicki

13,962 posts

255 months

Saturday 6th December
quotequote all
Vaultdweller said:
Hi,

All, I'm looking to downsize my bikes, for various reasons. I currently have a Ktm 990 Superduke, but find myself riding my Crf250 Rally much more. I get more joy using all that bike can offer, rather than tiptoeing around the superduke.

To that end I'm looking to move it on and get something smaller to enjoy on the road. I have seen a mega deal on the Ktm Rc390 for £3800 brand new, this is the current model.

Is there any feedback on here from owners? I am 6ft tall so a little concerned about not quite fitting on it, but Ktm are normally quite generous with their rider triangle sizing. Other than that, they look a hoot to ride.

Any feedback welcome, cheers.
Haven’t ridden one myself, but did follow a friendly off-duty policeman at a quite generous pace along some amazing country roads this summer. It is not a slow bike.


carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Sunday 7th December
quotequote all
moanthebairns has two of the 373cc ones I think.

I think he got them just before the newer ones with the different engine were released.


A500leroy

7,345 posts

138 months

Sunday 7th December
quotequote all
Find thatbikersimon on YouTube, different bike but same engine.

carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Sunday 7th December
quotequote all
Assuming the 990 is the original one and not the current one, someone in the KTM in administration thread was after one. I think it was the PHer that trades bikes. Sorry I can't remember their PH id at the moment.

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

Sunday 7th December
quotequote all
carinaman said:
Assuming the 990 is the original one and not the current one, someone in the KTM in administration thread was after one. I think it was the PHer that trades bikes. Sorry I can't remember their PH id at the moment.
Cheers, yes it's an old 2007 v twin one. Facelift with the bigger fuel tank and better brakes.

poo at Paul's

14,501 posts

195 months

Sunday 7th December
quotequote all
I think the new ones pretty good, some of the older could be a bit fragile I think.
I’ve got a A2 class bike to take in my campervan, low weight etc.
I have a cbr300 at the mo, but charging it this week for a new ninja 500.
To put your deal in perspective,the ninja 500 is the se one and is brand new 2024 model, but is 5900 quid, OTR albeit with interest free finance for 3 years.
I was tempted by the various 3800 to 4K rec 390s but I’ve never owned a knacker, preferred the twin, and up close the Kawasaki is a really nicely put together bike.
But 1800 quid cheaper ignoring what is like 600quid free finance, it still seeks the KTM a bit of a bargain.
The only other thing I looked at was some brand new Aprilia 457s are about for just less than 5k. They’re a very neat little bike, but worried about fragility, tbh, my mate has an rs660 ans he’s had a mare with it tbh.

moanthebairns

18,629 posts

218 months



I've had one for two years my o/h coming up 3. Her's has been faultless (well the Speedo display isn't great it mists up a bit). My only problems have been with the optional bi direction quick-shifter.

I've raved about it a lot on here, im not much shorter than yourself and I find it rather roomy. It's got a rather high seat height.

It's a fking bargain at that price, I was tempted myself by it....

Marquezs Stabilisers

2,133 posts

81 months

A chap I know had some of the early ones as his lad was racing in the 390 cup. They blew head gaskets repeatedly under that use case.

Eventually under one strip down on an engine before it went into the bike they took some glass to the cylinder head. Warped when brand new. Engine was sent back to KTM. New engine arrives. Same problem. They got a good one eventually.

But that was a number of years ago now, and has given KTM time to improve their quality.

carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Marquezs Stabilisers said:
A chap I know had some of the early ones as his lad was racing in the 390 cup. They blew head gaskets repeatedly under that use case.

Eventually under one strip down on an engine before it went into the bike they took some glass to the cylinder head. Warped when brand new. Engine was sent back to KTM. New engine arrives. Same problem. They got a good one eventually.

But that was a number of years ago now, and has given KTM time to improve their quality.
So not 'ready to race' then. wink

Given the BBC love in for Lando Norris it's difficult not to feel sorry for that lad if it impacted on his 390 Cup results.

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

Thanks for the input everyone, order placed for an orange one, expecting delivery next week!

carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Congratulations. You'll be riding it before Christmas or putting it away until Spring?

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

The plan is a liberal application of acf50 and get out on it. It's cheap enough to not be to precious about, would like to get the running in miles done.

moanthebairns

18,629 posts

218 months

The running in miles are brutal. It's not a nice bike to ride unless it's bouncing of the limiter.

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
moanthebairns said:
The running in miles are brutal. It's not a nice bike to ride unless it's bouncing of the limiter.
I'm not looking forward to it! Luckily down here in Devon there are plenty of minor roads I can use on the work commute to rack up the miles rather than sitting on the dual carriageway.

Did you rigidly stick to the sub 6k rpm for 620 miles?

moanthebairns

18,629 posts

218 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
Vaultdweller said:
moanthebairns said:
The running in miles are brutal. It's not a nice bike to ride unless it's bouncing of the limiter.
I'm not looking forward to it! Luckily down here in Devon there are plenty of minor roads I can use on the work commute to rack up the miles rather than sitting on the dual carriageway.

Did you rigidly stick to the sub 6k rpm for 620 miles?
Yup, pretty much. You'll be lucky if you use 3 tanks of fuel at they RPM's.

carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
The previous Duke 390 will do 70 in 6th within running in rev limit.

Collecting the bike and riding it back would do a big chunk of the running miles. Trouble is it takes a long time to get there and get back so.....when I've done similar journeys in the car I've been fortunate enough to do it overnight when it's quiet.

Vaultdweller

Original Poster:

271 posts

60 months

Tuesday
quotequote all
I used to drive that journey regularly when I was based at Marham, I don't fancy doing it in the middle of winter on a diddy bike!

It's being delivered thankfully. 2 weeks commuting should see me pretty much through the 600 miles.

bimsb6

8,514 posts

241 months

Yesterday (09:23)
quotequote all
I’ve got a 390 duke ,100 mph and 80mpg ! The rc is a lot rarer . Its my go to bike for ragging around on , you got a good deal there !

carinaman

23,892 posts

192 months

Yesterday (09:31)
quotequote all
bimsb6 said:
I ve got a 390 duke ,100 mph and 80mpg ! The rc is a lot rarer . Its my go to bike for ragging around on , you got a good deal there !
Is that the latest 390cc one or the 373cc one?