KTM 990 RC R Prototype Unveiled Ahead Of 2025 Launch

While we’re still coming to terms with the new rules and regulations of MotoGP, KTM has just revealed the first images of the 990 RC R Prototype, their upcoming sport bike homologated for street use. 

The new KTM 990 RC R is the latest development after the brand merged its R&D department for production motorcycles and racing. It also slots above the rest of the RC line-up, which starts with the RC 390, followed by the RC8, and the track-only limited edition KTM RC8C. 

What is being regarded as the natural evolution of the current KTM RC line-up, the new 990 RC R is built around a completely new frame which is beefier and has increased weight bias towards the front end. It gets a dedicated steering head angle of 25 degrees and the subframe is also new –made up of diecast aluminium. Similarly, the committed ergonomics of the bike have also been developed to give riders that thorough experience of riding a MotoGP bike. This is mainly aided by the new tank design with its six contact points for better leaning and tucking when riding on the track. 

Premium suspension components in the form of fully adjustable WP Apex open cartridge fork and lightweight cast aluminium wheels wrapped in exclusive Michelin tyres are the only details that KTM have confirmed. The MotoGP heritage of the bike is further reinstated by the “wind-tunnel-chiselled” aero wings on the fairing that increases stability when entering corners and during hard braking. 

While the final specs of the new KTM 990 RC R is still under wraps, it’s likely to sport the 947 cc engine that KTM debuted with the brand-new Duke 990. In the naked sport, it produces 126 bhp and 103 Nm, but on the supersport bike these figures would be bumped up. Additionally, the engine will now also exhale through a new condensed stainless steel muffler that KTM is calling “ergo crafted”. 

While the prototype has been unveiled in camouflage, KTM has confirmed that we’ll get the first glimpse of the bike later in 2024 mostly at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan, Italy. And eventually, in the first quarter of 2025, it will hit production.