KTM plans to establish its position in the superbike category with 990 RC R. (Photo: BBC Top Gear)
Earlier, KTM received a remarkable response for its limited edition RC 8C, with its first 100 units selling out in just five minutes.
With the Austrian motorcycle maker KTM gaining a lot of popularity among bike enthusiasts, the brand has unveiled its latest creation, the KTM 990 RC R.
For now, it is still in its prototype phase, but it is expected that the bike will be launched next year. KTM has received a remarkable response for its limited edition RC 8C, with its first 100 units selling out in just five minutes.
The company revealed that this has given them a clear path to delve deeper into their fully-fired segment.
At present, there are not many details on the 990 RC R prototype, but initial glimpses have found that it was built around a trellis frame. The prototype model is completely camouflaged, and some of its body features were spotted, like the aluminium sub-frame, blacked-out swingarm, and top-spec Brembo brakes.
The company has revealed that the bike has been designed to provide dynamic performance. As a result, they have added some extra weight to the front part of the bike. In terms of its engine, the KTM 990 RC R is powered by a 990cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin motor, which is also seen on the 990 Duke. But the 990 RC R produces more power with 126 bhp. The engine has a six-speed gearbox that is equipped with the standard quick-shifter.
According to Hindustan Times, KTM has claimed that in this model, they have given a lot of importance to its ergonomic precision, which creates a delicate balance between sporty aggression and ride comfort.
The overall sport side of the bike has been designed to aid track racing, it will also give some amount of comfort to the riders on the street. Although there is not much information on its features, it is expected that the bike will come with some riding modes, like a multiple-traction control system, and also IMU-related enhancements.
With the KTM 990 RC R expected to launch next year in the European market, it is expected that it will have a presence in the competitive sports bike category. Currently, it is dominated by the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R, Honda CBR600RR, Yamaha R9, and Ducati Panigale V2.
