Updated for 2022, the KTM RC 390 sportbike is lighter and features standard cornering ABS and traction control. Photos courtesy of KTM.

Motorcycle manufacturers build entry-level sportbikes on a budget. That means high-tech luxuries like traction control and cornering ABS usually go out the window. Some would argue that small-bore supersports don?t generate enough power for such rider aids. On the other hand, newer riders could benefit most from the latest electronic safety nets. That?s the case with the 2022 KTM RC 390, which crashes the entry-level sportbike party with IMU-based tech.

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The original KTM RC 390 burst onto the scene back in 2014, powered by a liquid-cooled 345cc Single with DOHC, four valves, and fuel injection. It made a claimed 44 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 26 lb-ft of torque at 7,250 rpm. An update in 2017 bumped displacement up to 373cc and added throttle-by-wire and a slip/assist clutch.
The 2022 KTM RC 390 has all-new bodywork that’s easier to remove and wears race-inspired livery.

The 2022 model builds on those foundations and takes a big leap forward. The updated RC 390 gains lean-sensitive traction control, Bosch 9.1MP cornering ABS with two modes, and a full-color TFT display. The electronic suite is just the tip of the iceberg. KTM pairs the smarter tech with a significant reduction in weight and race-worthy WP Apex suspension. The RC 390 also delivers on KTM?s ?Ready to Rac...