KTM has revealed the upcoming 990 RC R Prototype which will become the brand’s all-new flagship road-legal sports bike. In 2018, KTM discontinued the RC8 and announced that it would focus on making naked and ADV bikes and halt the production of street-legal superbikes. The Images showcase a camouflaged prototype in action and the full design is yet to be seen.
KTM 990 RC R Prototype – Powerful and Full of Tech
KTM said that the 990 RC R will be powered by a 947 cc LC8c parallel twin, which is claimed to produce 128 hp and 103 Nm. The same motor currently powers the 990 Duke. The 990 RC R will sport a steel frame and diecast aluminium subframe which KTM says have increased the weight towards the front end. KTM further claims to have increased the stiffness of the superbike chassis for increased stability under acceleration and better agility.
The 990 RC R will also have fully adjustable WP Apex open cartridge suspension and cast aluminium wheels with Michelin tyres. The brand designed the bike inside a wind tunnel and it also gets aero wings just like its MotoGP bikes which are claimed to provide extra stability during cornering and braking.
The 990 RC R will also get a track edition which will get rid of all its road-legal bits and add other bits like protective parts for the motorcycle as well as a full-system Akrapovic exhaust. KTM also states that even the base 990 RC R will need just some minimum modifications to make it street-spec to track-spec.
Well, after the long break KTM is returning to the middleweight class with the RC8’s successor, the 990 RC R and upon launch will be competing with popular contenders like the Ducati Panigale V2 and Kawasaki ZX6R and Honda CBR600RR.
