After nearly a decade, KTM has made a thunderous comeback to the supersport scene with the all-new 990 RC R — a proper successor to the iconic RC8 that bowed out back in 2015. The Austrian brand’s promise to stay out of full-faired bikes is officially over, and the orange army couldn’t be happier.
The new RC R has been a long time in the making, drawing directly from KTM’s R&D expertise and aerodynamic data from its MotoGP programme. Built and assembled in Austria, the bike features a purpose-built steel chassis paired with a die-cast aluminium subframe, tuned for razor-sharp agility yet confident stability. Power comes from the familiar 57kg LC8c engine, now pushing out 130 hp and 103 Nm, a small but significant jump over the 990 Duke’s output.
Stopping duties are handled by Brembo Hypure 4-piston calipers, while WP APEX suspension keeps the ride composed on road and track. The highlight, though, is the massive 8.8-inch TFT display— one of the largest in its class — offering four riding modes: Rain, Street, Sport, and Custom, with optional Track and Custom modes. Advanced telemetry data like lean angle, throttle rate, and four ABS settings (Street, Sport, Supermoto, Supermoto+) give the RC R proper racing credentials.
Despite its aggressive stance, KTM says the ergonomics are thoughtfully designed, with supportive knee and arm placement and adjustable footrests for riders of different heights. Add to that a 16-litre tank and two bold colourways (Orange and Black), and you’ve got a proper street-legal missile that still respects comfort.
The KTM 990 RC R goes into production this month and will lock horns with the Ducati Panigale V2, Kawasaki ZX-6R, Yamaha R9, and Honda CBR600RR. And for the hardcore crowd, a track-spec version arrives in early February 2026 with a stripped-down dashboard, race-tuned gearbox, and removed ABS modulator.
