After more than a decade, KTM has decided to stop manufacturing the RC 390 in the global markets, reportedly due to low demand. According to a report, KTM has confirmed that the demand for single-cylinder entry-level sports bikes has declined in recent years, and hence it has been decided to stop selling the KTM RC 390 in the global markets. KTM says the cost of updating the existing 373 cc single-cylinder engine to Euro 5+ emissions standards would have increased the price of this model with falling demand.
However, the KTM RC 390 will continue to be manufactured and sold in India, where demand is still strong. India is the largest two-wheeler market in the world and the sales performance of the KTM RC 390 gives enough evidence for it to retain its place in the market. And by the way, the KTM RC 390 is manufactured in India by KTM’s parent company Bajaj Auto.
The KTM RC 390 was first launched in 2014 as a full-faired supersport model based on the KTM 390 Duke. While the 390 Duke has been updated with a new 399 cc LC4C engine replacing the old 373 cc engine used in the existing RC 390, the Supersport model has not yet been updated with the same engine. The last major update to the KTM RC 390 came in 2022, and it was widely expected that the new 399 cc engine from the existing 390 Duke would also make its way to the RC 390 sometime in 2026.
Also read: KTM to organize first adventure rally in India in February 2026
For India, it is still unclear whether KTM will reduce its engine size from the current 399 cc to around 350 cc after the new GST changes in September 2025, which will make motorcycles with engines of 350 cc and above capacity more expensive.
Till now, no clear strategy has been revealed by Bajaj Auto regarding RC 390, but the company has confirmed that it is working on engines with capacity less than 350 cc. These engines will be included in India-made KTM and Triumph models to meet the sub-350 cc capacity limit prescribed for the changed GST structure. This will make these engines more attractive to customers in terms of price. Bajaj is expected to introduce sub-350 cc engine platforms for both KTM and Triumph in 2026.
(source)
