The Aprilia RS 457 Will Have A New Nemesis From KTM Soon

Back in 2014, KTM well and truly changed the entry-level sports bike game with the RC 390. But 10 years on, not much has changed at the core, which is biting Team Orange in the butt big time. The competition has well and truly caught up, with the likes of the new Aprilia RS 457 and Kawasaki Ninja 500 offering more of everything. So, doing what anyone would do in this position, KTM is working on a new RC, as revealed by leaked spy shots from Europe.

The KTM RC 490 Takes Design Inspiration From The RC 990

One look at the upcoming RC’s test mule, and you’ll find a heavy resemblance to the RC 990. Right from the aerodynamic fairings with wings to the sleek tail, everything looks inspired by the 990. You also get the minimalistic lights at the front and the triple-element LED turn signals at the rear. Our favorite element, though, is the single-sided swingarm. This is a first for any KTM sports bike. It’s also a unique element in the entry-level sports bike segment (only the CFMoto 450SR-S has it).

Behind the fairing, we can spot a TFT instrument cluster. This looks like the new display seen on the KTM 390 Duke, which means you can expect a lot of features. We’re talking traction control, ride modes, cornering ABS, and a quickshifter. We also spot adjustable levers.

Upcoming KTM RC 490 Key Design Elements

• Aerodynamic fairings
• Wings
• Single-sided swingarm
• Triple-element rear LEDs
• Sleek tail

A Familiar Twin-Cylinder Engine Powers The KTM RC 490

This is where things get interesting. A few years ago, KTM indirectly confirmed its 490 platform plans. But it was quickly scrapped due to emission challenges reportedly. So has KTM whipped up an all-new engine in such a short time? Well, no. Instead, the 490 looks to have borrowed its engine from KTM’s long-term partner, CFMoto.

The header design, exhaust layout, and some casings match the CFMoto 450SS, hinting at the same. It also makes sense from an industry point of view. The Chinese engine has near class-leading performance (just 1 down on the Kawasaki Ninja 500) while helping KTM keep production costs low.

It’s a similar story in the underpinnings department. A close look at the swingarm suggests it is the exact same unit seen on the 450SR-S, and even the chassis design is identical to the Chinese sports bike. What has changed, though, is the suspension and wheels. The KTM runs WP USD forks and a WP monoshock, tied up with the 390 Duke wheels.

Expected Performance Specs

KTM Could Debut The RC 490 Soon

Looking at the spy shots, the new RC looks rather close to production-ready form. That means, if KTM does go through with the idea, we could see this debut by the end of 2025 or in the first half of 2026. We say ‘if’ and not ‘when’ because KTM has had a few test mules that never made it to production. There’s also the question mark of the ongoing tariff war. A made-in-China bike sold in the US would attract a massive tariff, don’t you think?