2023 KTM RC390 | First Ride 

OC. Lots of people say they go with Ninja400 because of the aftermarket and the power difference. OBJECTIVELY, though, the RC390 is a complete package out of the box for beginners on the track. It has an IMU so its traction control and ABS are lean sensitive (for cornering). Front forks and rear shock are adjustable. It has a quick shifter (up and down), which is optional in some countries, and may feel clunky. You don't need to tinker with this bike before the track. It is ready to race.

Personally I own one of these 2023 RC390's and when you tune them WOW are they amazing! I've got a FuelxLite Autotuner as the stock bike runs lean a lot, a full DominatoR exhaust system, a DNA air filter lid cover and an R&G tail tidy, but the tune makes this bike WAY different. Also I did notice in this video that the bike was still in the break in mode, as the rev limiter was blinking at 7,000rpms. But after 600 miles and it's first service KTM removes that setting and the bike fully unlocks and it can handle the highways fine. And this isn't even getting into all the features on this motorcycle! Backlit controls, full TFT display, of course the ABS and TC, WP front forks and suspension that have customizable rebound/damping and compression and has an optional quick shifter up AND DOWN! This bike really is ready to race from factory!

I went to the dealership to look at a Grom and ended up picking one of these beauties up and it's amazing how nimble it is. My other ride is a Honda Fury and I wanted something that was the polar opposite to expand my riding experience. It's a total blast. Packed with tech for what it is and funky, fun little machine.

Happy you didn't run out of gas and become chase on 2 feet. I love singles for round town but highway riding is... unsatisfying. I like the previous model's front end better but overall a good looking little bike. Thanks for the review

I appreciate the regular quality content, man!

My daily driver is an R3, and I love it, but I've had the chance to try the RC390 on track day, and wow I might even like it more there. It felt about 90% like the R3, but the single cylinder punished at low rpm and forced me to go faster and better, and it was so light. I drove my fastest laps on it. Makes me want to get my own for the track :D Though I guess this very thing makes the R3 more comfortable in the street, it has very even performance, and handles traffic jams quite well (better than I do, I much prefer taking diversions on the motorway to spending 20 minutes holding the clutch in 2nd gear).

Just picked this bike up love how light it is over my previous bikes and the low hp keeps me out over trouble 😊

Been waitin' for this one 🤘🏼

I thoroughly enjoyed your review. You now have my sub.

Same model here ❤ What a amazing machine brother ❤️

I have the 2022 RC 390 (basicallly identical to the 2023) with almost 6k miles on the clock and i have no complaints with the brakes, more than enough for me but i dont have much experience when comparing it to other bikes. I do agree with your windshield opinion, doesnt feel like it offers enough wind protection for its size.

People who are worried about 40hp and highways have nothing to fear. My cb500f makes 48hp, about the same hp/kg as this bike. I had no problem getting to 120kmh, and (it wasn't quick) no problem getting from 120-150-170kmh. No problem for the Autobahn

I’ve tracked my 22 RC and it’s fantastic on a tight track. It has clipons from the factory. The weight savings from the wheels and brakes is not talked about enough. It feels Much lighter than other bikes in this class turning in. The tires are the only fault from the factory but I mean it’s being sold for the road so as road rubber they are great but if you do track you gotta swap them out. The brakes are great, still running stock fluid and no issues so far. Once you figure out your momentum into and out of corners this bike is a rocket ship ! On track it could easily be right up on bigger bikes. Very impressive I must say. I hear a tune and modifying the engine these does wonders, so I’m excited to see if that is true. I had a gen1 RC390 as well and riding them back to back the old one feels very ridged and the new one feels like a feather. Not huge difference in weight but just going down the road the gen1 felt sturdy and solid. Where the new on felt very light and flickable.

i own a 2023 RC 390 and it has run 6800km and i would say they are one of the best breaks i have ever experienced . from my side they bit really hard and stop were i want it to stop . the breaks have saved my life multiple times 😂😂😂

I got the Duke 250, but I sure do have a massive crush on the RC 390! It is superb.

First thing I did off the dealer lot was make sure the brakes went through proper Break in I think the brakes are great you feel like you’re going to lift over the front of the bike if you grab too much and my uncle with a little bit more riding experience said the exact same thing when he rode my bike. I hardly ever use more than two fingers and with the amount of Engine breaking it has it slows down really fast

The best part of Ktm is these bikes look amazing which will make beginners ride more i love my duke

your place is awesome! wide road love the trees nice ride!

"CBRrRr sp things..." OC, you crack me up, Chase. 😆

My son is 17. He loves the looks of this bike. Big problem is hes ridden higher power bikes and now he doesn't want something with 45hp.

I got a duke 390 love it

Never issue with breaks..it's perfect

Do the cfmoto 300nk, I’ve got one and it’s such a fun little around town ripper, play with the groms and then go cruising the the z400s and cbr300s

Finally after days of asking

Seeing they’re about to release the r457 from Aprilia? I think that thing is gonna kill the competition! Can’t wait to see first rides for that bike!

Get RC 390 next and cannot wait

OC- turnkey package is nice and like that it is RTG

The sound check antics gave me a giggle.

Very fun ride with a few tweaks really wakes up. I’d have to have spare cash to get one it would be an alternative ride for me. Back issues after decades makes this a “good back day” bike 🤷‍♂️

A Master of the "craft" of making videos and vlogging

performance wise, is there much you can do to squeeze out a little more hp? ive always rode mostly cruisers 650s and higher just a little skeptical on the lower cc if there was a mid entry bike besides the 8c i cannot find id go with that

I'd absolutely love to get one of theses.OC

Cant wait for the new duke 390 for 2024. Have you checked it out on RU-vid? First one with entirely new engine with bigger displacement (399cc from 379)😂

300 are so underrated, people only think about big super sport and SuperBike

Thånks a Lot.

Wow, a great bike but when you mention the cheap finishing I hope that the updates were not forced by the new Hero Karizma, they need to do their own thing.

My 23 rc still has low miles maybe around 2500 and I think the brakes could use a little more bite still

OC Looking for a entry level track bike for my teen. Very interested in this, R3 or maybe Kawi 400.

Very nice review as always! Would like to ask if you were to compare this to cf moto 450 ss what whould you choose and why? Appreciate your opinion, thanks in advance.

Please, review the QJ motor SRK 600 and tell us about the brand, thanks!

I kind of went a little bold I bought my first and it’s a Honda fury

I must say the sideview of the 390 didn't really make it look like a small bike

Oc maybe the duke but the rc looks nice in person

the headlights on this bike remind me of my old 1994 KTM DUke (gen1) Same orange too! These bikes will make you such a good rider if you take it to the track! Also, this IS NOT "Premium" KTM; this is KTM made in India by Bajaj. Still, though, Very good bike. my 390 Adv. was made there too,and was a SOLID bike! 890 Duke R IS already a fine track bike. So is the 2023 890 SMT (it has "touring" on the name, but... It is an amazing bike! I rode one, and want it more than this!. As for BEST low CC track bike, the old Aprilia 250 or RSV 250 was amazing, but right now, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR is pretty much the best track bike you can buy for this displacement. It was built as a bike track. THough I would still consider this as a bike I may also ride around town more than the ZX-4RR; I have a Honda CB1000R black edition, and I do love that bike, while the 890 DUke R and new 1390 Super Duke R EVO are a big temptation for me (I'm trying hard to resist) if I were to buy a second bike, I'm not sure I could justify an 890 DUke, and I'd have to get rid of the Honda before I got the Super DUke (I had a 1290 Super DUke R and Loved it!). this price on the RC390 and the flexibility that it could be a track bike, AND could be riden around town, would be what sells this for me over the ZX-4RR (I do think this is better than the R3, TONS better than CBR300, and even the Ninja 400 comes close, but I would choose the orange bike over them. ZX-4RR if I wanted somethign that is purely track only.)

What would be a good first bike for tall people . I’m 6’6 230lb never ridden a motorcycle before.

Ow cool bike

I still have my 2015 rc390.

i mean, if it's only a track toy... surely something like a yamaha gytr r3 would give it a challenge right.

Was this before or after the break in period? The revs are limited until around 750 miles - Edit - I finished the video and realized there are only 50 miles on the bike. Once you pass the break in period the bike becomes much more alive. Brakes are also more than enough.

I want to see you on Aprilia rs 457

What kind of fuel would this take cause I plan on getting one in a month

Love to see KTM 390 ADV top variant on this channel and Triumph speed 400 and scrambler 400 X... as well..

is it normal that the bike leans to the right? when i reliased my hands off while riding?

Could you do a xsr700 review?

The way he LOLed means its really a slow motorbike😂😂😂

rofl at the Taycan. I still want to buy this bike.

I would love to get a ktm either rc390 or duke 390 but it sucks we’re forced to stick with an almost all orange bike which I’m not into at all (dodgers fan)

5'3" with 28" inseam. This is my daily bike. 2:57

This or the cf 450SS? 🤔

The 2023 is Saaaaweeeet!!!

I own one, I got it 7 weeks ago and have 2700 kms on it. The power gets better after the 1000k (600miles) and the brakes do get better after bedding in.

Do a Ktm rc390 vs cfmoto 450ss

Great vid, How tall are you?

How fast does this go?

This is gonna sounds crazy but, I actually used to drive those Chick-fil-A robots

I don't have brand loyalties. The C8 is the first Corvette that has ever even registered for me. I think it's really the FIRST true Corvette but, that GT.... The only car I'd like to have more is the McLaren P1.

Rs 457 is coming and i can't wait

When are we doing a ZX-4RR test ride Chase?

1 little thing about ktm 390s is that the tachomether is exact same with gps, so its faster than most of the bikes while testing acceleration

Did you have any issues with the quick shifter? I heard it’s really awful.

Not big on funky front fender, that paint job, and body. It leaves a lot to the imagination

OC: if it's under 400cc I think i can consider it "small bore" enough for me 🤔

Wring chase its 399cc now with the new engine

I miss the shape of he original, but the newer it is the better they've gotten

sup

Try the TVS Apache RR310

Kawasaki zx-4R comparo?

Indians: Did he just say small displacement?

I got one, I'm loving it

How does the 390 compare to the 450sr?

OC

They look sexy but are they fast being a 390

This bike in Indonesia is very expensive af🥲

I don’t know what the problem is, I can climb to speed within seconds each time I hop on the highway. In fact I can easily see a century plus a dime whenever I want. Mines a 2017 390 Duke, just so everyone knows.

Let me guess... it's not as good as the Yamaha R1

This guy looks like a good 220 pounds, keep that in mind if your about 150

First

Really interested in this bike BUT: I gotta ask if you sound like this when yer hangin' with your buddies? If you did sound like this they would drop you. I suggest using the buddy tone instead of the somewhat concussed voice that is forcing me to stop watching. If you don't know what i mean try a Doug Demuro vid

Gift me your helmet 😏🤭

Emgine sound equal disgusting xd , i highly prefer r3 sound

chapris plz don't ruin this beauty

2024 still single cylinder

Yeah, CF Moto is the cheapest bike in the world amd is better than a Ducati Panagale V4!!! BTW, I've never ridden either...

80 miles an hour is nothing for rc 390

Fails the sound check. I'll pass

It sounds like a meat grinder. The CFmoto 450 sounds better, has more power and cost the same or less.

Video quality is crap

I love the rest of the look of the bike, but the front is well..... Looks like it has one of those surgical face shields on, you know the ones people think will block them from covid? HAHA Not my cup of tea tbh.

You kids think 80 mph on a 390 is fast? In the early 1920s men did 100m mph ++ on 100 cc bicycles with engines with one gear. And 'abs' and 'traction control' and 'ecu' and clutch and disk brakles etc, and hydraulic forks, were unheard of. These days anyone can drive, because bikes are idiot proof!