- Taken off shelves after over a decade on sale
- Likely to be replaced by the recently spied newer model
- India to be the only market to continue sales
KTM have officially ended global sales of the RC 390, bringing the curtain down on the small capacity sportsbike after more than a decade on the market.
The Austrian manufacturer confirmed that demand for the single-cylinder RC 390 has declined in recent years, while the cost of updating its 373cc engine to comply with Euro5+ emissions regulations would have pushed prices higher at a time when many markets are already under pressure.
As a result, the RC 390 will be withdrawn from European, UK and other international line-ups, with remaining dealer stock expected to be sold through during 2026.
There is, however, one notable exception. KTM will continue production for the Indian market, where demand for the RC 390 remains strong enough to justify ongoing manufacture. India is currently the only region where sales volumes support the model’s continuation a strategic fit given KTM’s close manufacturing ties with parent company Bajaj.
First launched in 2014 and based on the Duke 390’s platform, the RC 390 has undergone several updates during its lifespan. The most recent major revision arrived in 2022, introducing a TFT display, lean-sensitive electronics and improved cooling.
The decision to discontinue the RC 390 globally comes despite KTM’s recent investment in its broader 390 platform. In 2024, the firm introduced a new, larger 399cc engine with the updated Duke 390, followed by the rollout of additional models using the same motor, including the 390 Enduro R, 390 SMC R, and the 390 Adventure R and X.
That said, KTM’s newest twin-cylinder RC450 has been spotted and only time will tell if that model will replace the outgoing RC390.
