KTM Unveils The 2022 RC 125 & The RC 390

KTM has finally, officially unveiled the RC sportbikes. The Austrian manufacturer has taken the wraps off the 2022 RC 390 and RC 125. KTM says that it has aimed for a larger look, not only to give the bikes more presence but also to provide better wind and weather protection to the rider, as well as improved heat management for the engine.These new RCs feature more relaxed ergonomics, but what’s new is that the height of the clip-on handlebars can be adjusted by 10mm. Seat height is lower by 11mm and now stands at 824mm, while ground clearance is up by 8mm to 158mm, both of which should make the bike more usable. Folding rear brake and gear shift levers are a very neat touch considering the track-oriented nature of these bikes.The new wheels and brakes have resulted in a rather sizeable reduction of 4.4kg in unsprung mass which should make the new RCs feel lighter on their feet. The frame has also been redesigned and now weighs 1.5kg less than before. Overall, the 2022 RC 390 is now listed with a dry weight of 155 kg (dry). The RC 390 gets adjustable suspension at both ends: the fork is adjustable for compression and rebound damping, while the mono-shock can be tweaked for preload and rebound damping. In terms of electronics, it also gets a Supermoto ABS mode, cornering ABS, and lean-sensitive traction control, thanks to the addition of an IMU, as well as an optional bi-directional quick shifter. The RC 125 misses out on these features.The RCs get an LED headlight, a Bluetooth-enabled TFT display, and a bolt-on rear subframe. The screen will feature KTM's 'MY RIDE' system, allowing riders to control music playback and phone calls on the go, as already seen on the 390 Duke and 390 Adventure. In terms of engine, the RC 390’s 43.5hp power figure has remained unchanged, but torque is now up by 2Nm to 37Nm, thanks to a redesigned airbox. Also contributing to the increased torque is the revised engine mapping. The exhaust system has changed too, and now features a stainless-steel header pipe and aluminum end-can.With an official unveil now out of the way, it shouldn’t be long before these bikes are officially launched in India.