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Inspired by the motto READY TO RACE, KTM has always focused on innovation, excitement and extreme experiences. Indeed, with a palmarès of 341 FIM World Championships from the late 1970s to the present - in virtually all motorcycle disciplines - it is the brand that makes competition its lifeblood!
Over the past fifteen years, the Mattighofen-based manufacturer has offered sporty motorcycles with great character, such as the iconic KTM RC8, the single-cylinder KTM RC 125 & 390, and the KTM RC 8C, a track-only model produced in a limited edition. Today, the Austrian company is presenting the prototype of the KTM 990 RC R, a machine born of the experience gained in MotoGP and developed to be used on the road, as well as on the track.
The spearhead of the RC range, the new sporty fairing bike will come out of the factory gates in Mattighofen in early 2025 and will be a road-legal Supersport that embodies 100 percent Austrian engineering excellence and the racing DNA typical of Orange motorcycles.
What features will the new RC have? Surely it will be adrenaline-pumping on the road and super-performing on the track, just as demanded by thousands of "semi-handlebar" enthusiasts.
At the heart of the KTM 990 RC R is the LC8c EURO5+ twin-cylinder engine, which in this configuration delivers 128 hp and 103 Nm at 10,500 rpm, while the steel trellis frame is specially designed to ensure excellent dynamic performance.
The increased rigidity ensures great responsiveness and ideal stability in all conditions, without sacrificing agility at low speeds thanks to the large turning radius. The die-cast aluminum rear frame promotes rideability, while the widely adjustable WP APEX open-cartridge suspension ensures that the wheels are always glued to the ground, as long as the rider wants them to be.
Ergonomic study was a key point in the development of the KTM 990 RC R. In fact, extensive experimentation optimized six contact points on the tank for ideal connection, support and position to ensure maximum performance for the rider, but also the right support for the knees and arms to avoid excessive pressure on the wrists.
Adjustable footpegs and lightweight die-cast aluminum wheels equipped with Michelin tires also play an important role in handling the ride. The MotoGP legacy is evident in the aerodynamic fins designed in the wind tunnel - which provide greater stability under braking and cornering - as well as in the profiles developed around the superstructures that closely resemble those used in racing.
And speaking of the track, the KTM 990 RC R prototype will participate as a "wild card" in some of the most important European competitions in the Supersport category, and we are sure that its presence between the curbs will pique the curiosity of thousands of fans!Then if there were still any doubts about the purpose for which this bike was designed, by the end of the first half of 2025 the KTM 990 RC R TRACK will be presented, an even more extreme version, made for exclusive track use.
"The KTM 990 RC R is a revolutionary innovation for those who seek the thrill of cornering and speed. It is designed for riders who like to skim the ground on the road with their knees and push the limits on the track, caressing the asphalt with their elbows. This bike offers everything a modern super sports rider is looking for, and after a lot of work, we will finally be able to unveil it in early 2025. We believe that the KTM 990 RC R will immediately acquire cult status among enthusiasts because of its being as extraordinary on the road as it is on the track," says Riaan Neveling, head of Global Marketing at KTM.
Automatic Translation by DeepL
