KTM 450 RC Concept Showcased at EICMA

Three things to know

• KTM’s 450 RC concept previews a new parallel-twin sportsbike.
• Adjustable WP suspension, a single-sided swingarm and cornering ABS feature on the concept.
• Production is expected in late 2027; engine capacity and performance remain unconfirmed.

KTM has offered an early look at its future small-capacity sportsbike plans with the unveiling of the 450 RC concept at EICMA in Milan. The new model is expected to enter production in late 2027 as a 2028 model, although the Austrian manufacturer has yet to reveal its full technical specifications or dimensions.

A small plaque beside the display motorcycle simply reads ‘Coming 2027’, but KTM has since confirmed its production plans, with more detailed information expected over the coming months. The 450 RC is expected to be sold across several markets and could fill the gap left by the single-cylinder RC 390, which was dropped from the range in late 2025 following a slowdown in sales.

The biggest change is the move to a new parallel-twin engine, a configuration not currently found in KTM’s small-capacity RC range. KTM has not confirmed the engine’s capacity or performance figures, but the concept’s design and hardware offer some clues about the direction of the production model.

Suspension comes from WP, with 43mm upside-down Apex forks offering manual compression and rebound adjustment. At the rear, a monoshock with preload and rebound adjustment connects to a single-sided swingarm, leaving the glossy orange five-spoke rear wheel largely exposed. The front braking setup also uses WP hardware, with a radially mounted four-piston caliper working alongside a 320mm disc and cornering ABS. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres provide the contact with the road.

The riding position is clearly sport-oriented, with fixed, rear-set footpegs and clip-on handlebars positioned just below the top yoke. The bars appear to place the rider forward towards a relatively tall, clear windscreen, suggesting a committed stance for spirited riding while retaining some practicality for everyday use.

KTM has confirmed that the bike will feature lean-sensitive rider aids, although the exact systems have not been detailed. A six-axis IMU is likely to sit at the heart of the electronics package, with settings accessed through a five-inch rectangular TFT display and chunky switchgear. The left-hand controls also appear to include buttons for cruise control.

Other equipment includes USB-A and USB-C charging ports, dual-channel ABS and a Supermoto mode. The latter suggests riders will be able to disengage rear-wheel ABS intervention, allowing the rear tyre to slide under braking. A steering damper mounted above the fork tops is another notable addition, intended to help maintain stability.

Styling takes clear inspiration from KTM’s larger 990 RC R, with a central headlight, subtle winglets and a steeply angled bolt-on subframe giving the concept a familiar family resemblance. The rear section also appears to reveal a trellis-style structure behind the side fairing, while the overall layout bears similarities to the CFMoto 450SR S.

That connection could be significant. The CFMoto uses a 449.5cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin producing a claimed 60bhp at 9,500rpm and 40Nm of torque at 7,750rpm. KTM and CFMoto have worked together since 2013 through manufacturing and distribution partnerships, with CFMoto currently producing the KTM 790 Duke and 790 Adventure. This makes it possible that the new 450 RC could use the same engine, although KTM has not confirmed this.

The concept’s swingarm also appears to share similarities with the CFMoto, suggesting the two motorcycles could have more in common beneath their different bodywork and chassis components. For now, the engine details remain unconfirmed, but the 450 RC concept provides a clear indication that KTM is preparing a new twin-cylinder entry into the small-capacity sportsbike segment.