Moto3-replica KTM RC390 will launch at EICMA

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According to an interview KTM chief Stefan Pierer gave to CycleNews, a fully-faired version of the 390 Duke will debut at Italy’s EICMA motorcycle show in November. That bike will be the first of a three-model range, all based on the existing, small-capacity nakeds in the Duke range, giving us a KTM RC390, RC200 and RC125. Pierer describes the bikes as “look[ing] at little similar” to the firm’s Moto3 race bike, pictured here.

“We started out with the Duke naked bikes,” Pierer told CycleNews. “but KTM is developing another family of motorcycles based on the same platform that will be full fairing sport motorcycles with clip-on handlebars. The RC125, 200 and 390 will be launched at the EICMA Milan show in November will look a little similar to our World Champion Moto3 Grand Prix racer, which gives a good marketing linkage to that.”

“These will essentially be the same platform as the Dukes, but with different styling — the look is completely different, and I think Gerald Kiska and his designers have done a great job.”

“So the 390 Duke has already been launched as the naked version, and the fully faired RC390 model is coming at the beginning of 2014, then the RC125 and 200 in April next year, which we will use as the basis of various KTM Cup one-make race series around the world, especially in developing markets.”

“Then, we’re also developing a so-called dual-purpose or dual-sport version of each model, which I would say is a mix between supermoto and enduro. These will appear next, all made at the Bajaj factory in Chakan [India].”

The naked 390 Duke is a 373cc single-cylinder, 4-stroke naked bike that has 44 horsepower and 26 foot pounds of torque and is a blast to ride at 306 pounds (dry). Expect it to retail for around $6,500 when it goes on-sale in the US next year. The RC 390 will likely add a few dollars to that price tag and should also be US-bound some time after its European debut.

[G]

Boo .
Stick the same engine in a light chassis and it could get interesting, but seems they're doing just a Hyosung and adding fairings to their already bit lardy naked models.

If they could get the weight down for the dual sport it could be an interesting alternative to the WR250R and the like.

Are they going to change their 'Ready to Race' tag line to 'ready to pose'?

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