2017 KTM RC390 | First Ride 

Hope you guys enjoy this First Ride! If you like this bike AT ALL make sure to check out the new post I did with it here! Put a ton of time into it and I want to know what you guys think about it: bit.ly/RC390BLog

Hi Chase, sup fam. I am the senior executive Engineer - electronics at chakhan plant where these bikes are manufactured and assembled and I'd like to point out a few things. 1. Both the eyes light up together. You need to push the HIGH BEAM button on , or put it on high beam and then press the passing light. 2. The pseudo red light is absolutely not the shifter or the redline. The bike has a break-in setup stock so to avoid any possible piston/cylinder/timing chain damage the shifter comes up early so that the rider is not revving up too much, after 600 miles this goes away. 3. This bike comes with a mixture of mineral plus semi synthetic motor oil as stock so you need to change it after 1000 kilometres or 600 miles. When you change it is highly advised that you change your oil filters too because all the chips and nicks from the break in of the motor are removed. Also you move on to a fully synthetic oil something like motion 300v after that. 4. You hear the fan coming in soon because the stock break in setting has a lower threshold for the temperature and the stock oil doesn't do any good for the heat dissipation. Also it is advised to change to something like ice cool coolant. (The blue one) 5. You said the suspension on this is spongy. Yes because it is supposed to be. This bike comes with an adjustable suspension with 10 point setup so you can change to a hard setup for the track or a very soft setup for touring if you like. It also has full preload setup too. 6. This bike is known for its top end but you said this bike doesn't have a good top end. That is because it is still break-in locked. Once you complete the first 600-1000 miles the bike basically gets unlocked and you can revv it to higher revs and the top end improves with it. 7. You can ride this bike as an advanced rider too. All the rider aids can be switched off from the dash.

My Mrs. got her RC 390 in May 2017 and rode 10.000km the first year. She loves it.

I judge the awesomeness of a bike by how many Muppet laughs I hear from you. this must be a fuuuun bike.

Love small displacement bikes, Kinda wish we could move away from "beginner" bikes as a term.

I remember watching this video 2-3 times a month for like 2 years and always dreaming I could have this bike and now I have one sitting in my garage.. ❤️ I asked God for it so many times he finally said “Alright dude, here you go”!😂😂

I have the KTM RC 390 2016 and it is my first bike. Definitely love it!!

Shiftlight goes on really early because the first service has probably not been done. It is adjusted up after the run-in.

Ayeeee the reason why I started watching your channel. Stuck around for the fuck ups on wrecked bike rebuild and ROCKS

Back in my day a small displacement bike was the good old RGV 250 what a weapon. Find one ride one

Great first ride ^^ got to show it to my sister as she wants a sports bike, but since we live in europe thats the only one she'll be allowed to ride. And for all the americans that read this, skip the beginner bikes if you want a sports bike and just get the 600 or 1000 and get one of the old restrictor plates from europe, more exactly germany. Almost every 600 or 1000 cc sportsbike up to 2016 got restrictor plates to around 50 and 100 hp so you can just order one of those and put it onto your bike, until you are comfortable with it and then take it off again, or put the next power restrictor on to your bike.

Chase the engine brake situation was probably because of the slipper clutch and the soft suspension is cause it was adjusted towards the softer end. It has a 10 step adjustability. Great video man. Was waiting to hear your view on a bike we in Nepal are familiar with. Cheers

I was legit watching your superduke review yesterday thinking of getting a KTM hmmmm coincidence

You got up to over 100 mph there (1 mile = 1.6 km ) I am impressed that it got up to speed so fast and seemed so solid on the highway

They need to bring back the RC8R. That thing was an animal in it's final production year of 2015, it was making more power than a brand new 2018 R1.

I think with a sprocket swap and an exhaust youd probably even get more acceleration out of it. My only complaint is it's a little buzzy at the bars, but being a single that's pretty normal. I love the way it looks though, and I wish they'd do a RC690 with a similar fairing set

After your sv650 video, I know longer respect your opinion but I still watch the videos for the bikes.

Stigma or not, I feel it's more fun and rewarding in the long run to start on a 'beginner' bike. My first bike was a 98 750 honda shadow and I had the toughest time turning it. Not until I bought my friends' 11 kawasaki ninja 250 did I grab a hold of being able to turn well on a bike. What surprised me was after riding that little ninja, I had better control over the honda shadow too. I bet you could learn a lot faster on a 390 and feel right at home on a bigger bike afterward.

I have been waiting for this! you know I really like your first videos!! They are so informative

One of my co-workers has one of these, I got to test ride it . I'm buying one this fall I think.

you took me from cbr300r to ninja300 to r3 to this 😂 love ur vids

I bought the 2018 model as my first bike and I'm loving every minute and every mile!

Can you do the duke 390 2017 or 2018?

I’ve been looking into these for a while now, and your vid helped me go ahead and pull the trigger on getting one. Thanks

I have a 2016 ktm rc 390 I love riding mountain roads with it!

KTM 790 Duke, please!

This bike is way more fun than any 1000cc bike. I am 41 now and love to ride those.

4:47 epic shot

it crazy because i was just watching rc390 vids and then post notifications for my favorite youtuber pop up with this video

Love the camera work on this video! Great vid as always!

I m from india and i m gonna start riding in few months as i turned 18 loves your video and i wants to buy a ktm 390 thanks for the review of it 😘

Love the cinematics mostly the reason i come to first ride videos. 👌

Love this video!! I appreciate your honest reviews and giving credit where credit is due.

On the rc 390 you can actually increase the limit on the rev limiter so for example if it redlines as standard in first gear at 7000rpm you can increase it to say 9000 rpm.

I will never underatand how you do those 3rd person perspective view. Is someone on a car accompanying you or are you using some sort of camera? But damn, those look legit

Personally I think this is a great position for a begginer bike if you plan on riding something such as a Daytona afterwards

I have my own KTM 390 Duke, yet I keep rewatching this video for the RC390...whhhyyyy??? I think I want it

100kmh = 60mph.

If they have this thing set up like a 2017 duke, it has a 6500 rpm rev limiter until the 600 mile service, then it opens up around 11,500. Which is good cuz they make peak power around 9000 edit: also when you do the 390 and 790, just tap the ignition button, don't hold it..

KTM run a RC390 Cup race series, they are pretty cool bikes!

I just found you on youtube and i was looking for an idea of what should be my first bike. I think i just found it . The great thing is im in atlanta and i would love to get it

I've been hoping for this one for a while. After living in india for some time, you gain a love for fun zippy smaller bikes (sub 300), return to the states and there's none under 250/300. Nobody here wants it, if it doesn't want you dead lol.

that’s a sweet victory gunner i so want one.

Was just at that Mountain Motorsports two weeks ago picking up my Fz 07.

it seems like they didn't re-engineer the suspension for export markets... they make the suspension softer as they are manufatured in India, and we have a lot of bad roads...

Mph is basically Kph / 2 = Mph, actually its divided by 1.609 if Im not mistaken but by 2 is more easy while driving.

You can set rpms. It may be in break in mode where youre limited to like 8k, I set mine to 10,000 the indicator comes on and 12 red lines. In that case the engine breaking gets better.

side profile looks great. Not really a fan of that front headlight though. It reminds me of an adv bike. Great review!

I don't think you have done a first ride on the Hyosung (I don't know how to spell it)

Nice man! Keep it up,That's a Sick bike

We should play a drinking game.... Every time he's says beginner bike you take a drink...............

thanks mannnnn! was waiting for review on the ktmsssss

You had more fun than this than the ninja 400?

You gotta change the rpm settings to manage the red shifter light

These bikes, are pretty good. Slap some metzeler m7rr tyres on it and you're set. I have one of these with an Akro full pipe. Sounds good. The new ones are much nicer. Better clutch too. Also, great for short arses as I'm 5"6 ish and I either quite nicely haha. Tis a sweet little single pot!! Can tell you, it tops out at 179kph haha.

About dam time u rode that bike finally!

Oh man! I was waiting for this review for years.. 😃

Tbh the 2018 model is much improved. Just take a look at that juicy TFT Display if you dont believe me.

Just get your hands on a 2016 RC390 and also the DUKE 390(2017&2016). Older ones are faster than these 2017 ones(also the suspension is way more stiffer).

Chase , you must try the Duke 390 2017 or 2018. I love mine. I think you will too. Same engine as the rc390 though.

My God, finally C2W!!!

Suspension is adjustable and it’s got the slipper clutch.

Lol you must also ride the new ktm duke 390 too it's fun can't wait for your viedo because it's even more insane and yet totally different bike .

Why are the stock turn signals of the American version RC390 different from the European version? The European one comes with the turn signals integrated on the side mirrors and are LED. Same goes for the rear turn signals.

U should also try the duke 390 that is also a fun motorcycle

Really nice looking bike

It has a slip assist clutch as well, you forgot to mention that.

can u please do a R3 2018 plssssss！

I feel like this bike is not for american market, you got so much distance to get everywhere on the huge highways that you need way more power than this bike offers. I got 390 duke and here in europe it is well enough to get around the city. However after 120 km/h (75 mph) you really want more power.

I'd like to know why exactly you enjoyed this bike so much more than the ninja 400. They make about the same amount of power, weigh about the same, and every other review I've heard says they're very comparable bikes. But you didn't seem too impressed with the ninja 400, and you couldn't stop giggling on this bike. Why the huge difference?

Thinking about getting one of these soon or a duke but cant decide help

Thanks for this, I wouldn't mind a bmw 310 review as well for comparison.

so my question is this, do you feel like the RC390 vs the R3 is sort of a similar situation to Daytona 675 vs R6 where the european bike is just a little bit more aggressive and powerful?

About time!

Bro i always hear you talk about beginner bikes are not good for the highway but i drive a honda cbr 125r 2014 model that has a top speed of 127 km ph and i feel like i can do the highway just fine! Only thing is that overtaking is a bit harder to do

does it have slipper clutch??

I’m trying to decide between the ktm rc390 and the R3. I haven’t ridden in several years I want something to commute with but still not get bored. Which would you recommend if not these two any other suggestions would be appreciated. I live in the city and don’t have to do much hwy riding.

I winder why the signal lights are very different on the us version? Also a smaller side mirror... The one we have here in asia is the same signal light of the superduke

I know that the 390 duke and 790 duke have already bin requested so i would like to request the 690 duke the big tumper 😂😂

So when are you going to review the duke 390?

What's up with the turn signals coming out of the fairings? The RC 390's 2017 that I've seen and the one I personally own have them integrated in the rear view mirrors.

Finally.... bout Damn time..

U can adjust 2 shift light rpms in the bike

Duke 390 next please!!

Do the 636 next

wow that exhaust distribution.. do you believe it is one of the reasons for heat issues? and if it could affect shock internal oil temps? ex.. on a hard lap

I might get this over the zx-6r.

someone should do a build series on this bike

Try the new Husqvarna Svartpilen and Vitpilen please preferably the 401s

Love the bike 😍😍

Maaaan, It's your second video that you leave the bike on Kilometer but I like your review

So I've made the decision to go to a supermoto. Could you try and do some dual sport first rides. I would really appreciate your opinion on the KTM 690 Enduro R.

You can switch to MPH by pressing some buttons on console :D

Is there anyway you could do a review on the KTM Duke 390. This was a good review I enjoyed it, but I'm really interested in the 390 duke.

would you choose cbr500r over KTM RC390?

*KTM DUKE 390* is the highway GO-TO

it has a slipper clutch, hence controlled engine braking

Have you done a first ride on a yamaha bolt?

Why are the tires so much thinner than other bikes

I want to know where those indicators came from as on mine they’re integrated into the wing mirrors?