KTM’s comeback to EICMA after a five-year hiatus is rather strong. While the 2025 KTM 390 Adventure R, 390 SMC R and the 390 Enduro R were the most anticipated motorcycles of the year, the company has also showcased the new 990 RC R — KTM’s first big street-legal supersports after the 1198 RC 8 that hung up its hat in 2010.
The new KTM 990 RC R takes its design from the highly successful limited-run track-only RC 8C. So, it flaunts all the good bits like the winglets on the front cowl and the aero elements on the lower panel as well as the spoiler under the swingarm and even the compact tail section from the RC 8C. KTM didn’t fiddle around with the design too much to add things like the headlight, mirrors, indicators and the tail light, keeping the styling as close as possible to the track machine.
But instead of the 889cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine from the 890 Duke, the 990 RC R receives a 947cc parallel-twin powerhouse from the 990 Duke R. In this avatar, it pushes out 128 bhp at 9500 rpm and 10.5 kgm at 6750 rpm. This engine is complemented by a 6-speed gearbox that gets slip-and-assist clutch, but the quickshifter comes as an optional extra.
Being a track-focused machine, KTM has left no stone unturned to make it a ‘race on Sunday, ride on Monday’ motorcycle, arming it with fully-adjustable WP Apex open cartridge suspension, adjustable footrests, cast-aluminium wheels wrapped in Michelin Power Cup tyres and Brembo brakes with MCS master cylinder.
While there’s no word on the electronic aids yet, knowing KTM, the 990 RC R will flaunt a comprehensive suite with lean-sensitive ABS, traction control along with wheelie control and even a launch control. All of these settings will be accessible by the new 8.8-inch touchscreen TFT console that KTM showcased last month.
The 2025 KTM 990 RC R is the Austrian marque’s attempt in a long time to get back in the middleweight supersport segment. Bits like the Akrapovic full system exhaust and petal discs could be either accessories or reserved purely for the ‘R’ model. Will a standard 990 RC follow? And more importantly, will KTM get this to India? We really, really hope so.
