Design and styling
We love how the RC390 has been styled, especially its distinctive headlamps. The headlight cowl, with an extended lower lip carries loads of attitude and the twin projectors peeping through look absolutely stunning. Another interesting detail is the RVM mounted turn blinkers. Instrument cluster remains the same as the Duke though – highly usable, offering 37 different pieces of information. The LED pilot lamps are another unique feature. The daytime running lights on the RC390 come as an option in India.
The high positioned, sharply styled pillion seat, the re-shaped tank and the fantastically styled front fairing, all come together to make the RC390 look like a much bigger and more premium bike than what its price and engine capacity suggests. We also love the underbelly exhaust on the right peeping through an opening in the lower part of the fairing. The rear tyre hugger is another new element, and so is the styling of the tail-lamps, flanked by those uniquely styled, micro-sized blinkers.
Should you buy it?
The RC390 is not meant for the everyday biker. It’s meant for the motorcycle aficionado who has some biking miles under his belt and whose forearms and shoulders are not averse to long distance riding on a bike with a sporty stance. The sportier, and a bit more inconvenient riding stance along with the higher price are the two major disadvantages of the RC390 over the Duke 390. While the pillion seat of the Duke 390 by itself wasn’t very comfortable, the RC’s seat is even more inconvenient. All of this means that you should touch the RC only if you are a serious-ish biker who wants a quick bike for mostly solo riding. With its fairing and slim tail, the RC isn’t very touring friendly either. The Duke should suit you more if you prefer an upright riding stance.
The advantages of the RC over the Duke include a higher ground clearance, more appealing styling and supposedly better handling around a racetrack if you ever manage to make a trip to one in India. Expect it to be unparalleled for offering the best blend of performance, styling and price. If a reasonably priced serious sportsbike is something you are looking for, the RC 390 is for you.
Technical Specifications
| ENGINE | |
| Design | Single-cylinder 4-stroke engine, water-cooled |
| Displacement | 373.2 cc |
| Bore | 89 mm |
| Stroke | 60 mm |
| Performance | 43 hp |
| Starting aid | Electric starter |
| Transmission | 6 speed, claw shifted |
| Engine lubrication | Forced oil lubrication with 2 Eaton pumps |
| Primary gear ratio | 30:80 |
| Secondary gear ratio | 15:45 |
| Cooling system | Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump |
| Clutch | Wet multi-disc clutch / mechanically operated |
| Ignition system | Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment |
| CHASSIS | |
| Frame | Tubular space frame made from steel, powder-coated |
| Fork | WP Suspension Up Side Down |
| Shock absorber | WP Monoshock |
| Suspension travel front | 125 mm |
| Suspension travel rear | 150 mm |
| Brake system Front | Disc brake with four-pot brake caliper |
| Brake system Rear | Disc brake with one-pot brake caliper, floating brake discs |
| Brake discs – diameter Front | 300 mm |
| Brake discs – diameter Rear | 230 mm |
| Chain | 5/8 x 1/4” X‑Ring |
| Steering head angle | 66.5° |
| Wheel base | 1,340±15 mm |
| Ground clearance (unloaded) | 178.5 mm |
| Seat height (unloaded) | 820 mm |
| Total fuel tank capacity approx. | 10 litre Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON) |
| Dry weight | 147 kg |
Price and variants
2.05 lakh ex-showroom Delhi
