Spy shots: KTM RC990 parallel-twin sportsbike spotted in testing

KTM look to be gearing up for a large capacity sportsbike return, with spy shots again emerging of a fully faired parallel-twin RC990.

The blacked out KTM prototype was last captured for MCN in the hands of former MotoGP racer and KTM test pilot Jeremy McWilliams back in November 2021 and it’s now been seen two-up featuring a host of bodywork and mechanical changes and could slot into the range as soon as 2024/25.

One of the most obvious developments is to the front bodywork, which has gone from a smooth surface to a more jagged design that may allow for winglets.

It also appears to incorporate the bracketry required to bolt on the firm’s signature drooping front winglets also found on the 889cc RC8C track bike as well as their MotoGP racer.

A central LED headlight remains although there’s now one instead of two and a rear cornering shot reveals a colour TFT dash appearing to take design cues from the flagship V-twin 1290 range.

This same shot also exposes the top yoke and shows the clip-ons mounted underneath for a racier position and adjusters in both of the WP Apex fork tops.

Although we can’t see much of the motor, the bike is expected to take its components from the next generation twin-cylinder Duke models, which are set to climb in capacity to a 990.

With its unusual 285-degree crank to mimic a 75-degree V-twin, the 890 Duke R manages 119bhp, so with the expected capacity increase the RC990 could hit 130bhp+.

Suspicions of a new motor are further aroused by the new exhaust, which exits low below the swingarm and doesn’t feature on any existing KTM.

Also new is the pillion seat and exposed subframe, which bolts to a tubular steel main chassis. The fancy front carbon air intakes on the Brembo Stylema calipers seen on the first test mule are now gone.

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KTM sportsbike is ready to roll: Road-going 990 parallel twin race-rep caught on camera

First published: 25 November 2021 by Ben Purvis

KTM are readying their biggest fully-faired sportsbike since the full-on RC8 V-twin left production in 2015.

Having dived head-first into the superbike market with the RC8 in 2008, the company have since entered – and won races – in every MotoGP class, transforming KTM’s image from a dirt bike manufacturer to an all-round bike brand.

However, KTM CEO Stefan Pierer has been vocal in his belief that out-and-out superbikes are too fast for road use. The RC990 seen here, shows how KTM could appeal to sportsbike fans without returning to the extreme superbike market.

Back in July, KTM revealed the RC 8C, a track-only bike powered by the 890 Duke’s LC8c parallel twin, based on the Kramer GP2-R trackday bike that was developed by former KTM engineers. Even at £30,999, all 100 examples of the RC 8C sold out in just four minutes and 32 seconds.

This new bike shares styling with the RC 8C, but mechanically it takes its components from the next-generation parallel twin Duke, which is expected to be a ‘990’, with a slight capacity increase over the current model.

With its unusual 285-degree crank to mimic a 75-degree V-twin, the 890 Duke R manages 119bhp, so with the expected capacity increase the RC990 could hit 130bhp+.

There’s a brace of headlights but other than those, a licence plate hanger and the LED indicators, it looks every inch a racer – right down to carbon air intakes on the Brembo Stylema front brakes.

WP Apex Pro forks at the front, with separate compression and rebound thumbwheels, are matched by a direct-action, remote reservoir shock and Apex Pro steering damper to further the sporty credentials.

The chassis – a tubular steel frame in KTM’s usual style – is noticeably different to the Kramer design. It’s closer to the 890 Duke’s frame, with thick tubes running over the engine rather than the RC 8C’s trellis.

The same design was seen earlier this year on development mules for the next generation Duke. The swingarm itself, also seen on Duke prototypes, has KTM’s signature external bracing but gains a ‘banana’ curve to the right side to clear the Akrapovic exhaust.

Like the RC 8C, the fuel tank is under the seat, but where the ultra-expensive track bike had a self-supporting tank that doubled as the subframe, the prototype road model uses a plastic tank with aluminium side plates forming a subframe.

KTM aren’t likely to launch the RC until the 2024 model year. Taking the 890 Duke R’s £10,649 as a pointer, we’d expect it to be around £12,000.