KTM 990 RC R in 2025 By Ben Purvis
Despite competing in MotoGP under both the KTM and GasGas brands, and having no concerns about making a 180 hp Super Duke R streetfighter, KTM has shied away from building a large road-going sports bike for the last decade since the demise of the RC8R - but in 2025, it's edging back in that direction with the new 990 RC R.
.jpg)
It might have a capacity of 947 cc and bodywork that mimics KTM's MotoGP machine, but the RC R isn't intended to compete in the 'litre' superbike class against the current generation of 200 hp-plus missiles. Instead, it's a parallel twin powered by the same LC8c engine that debuted in the 990 Duke for 2024, putting it up against the likes of Ducati's Panigale V2 rather than its range-topping Panigale V4. As such, it's intended to comply with the 'next generation' World Supersports regulations that allow a broad array of bikes to compete in the sub-superbike class.
Although KTM has previously made limited-edition runs of the RC 8C track bike, with similar appearance to the 990 RC R, the two projects aren't really related. The RC 8C was developed out-of-house by ex-KTM staff at Kramer, packing KTM's 890 LC8c engine into a Kramer-designed frame. The 990 RC R, in contrast, shares its heritage with the new 990 Duke, using modified versions of the Duke's engine and frame, and has been developed entirely by KTM itself.
For the 990 RC R, the engine is uprated to 94 kW (126 hp), which is still fairly modest for its near-litre capacity, but 3.5 kW more than the 990 Duke manages. That change might be down to the addition of an Akrapovic exhaust rather than any internal improvements. The frame is slightly modified compared to the 990 Duke, but clearly from the same basic design. Most notably it gains a rising-rate rear shock setup in place of the direct-action shock of the Duke, but it also has a revised rake of 25 degrees and changes to its rigidity to suit the 990 RC R's sports-oriented design.
So far, KTM has only shown a prototype version of the bike, with a single seat, slicks, adjustable rearsets and a race-spec ECUMaster dashboard. But the 2025 production model is already confirmed to be a road-legal offering, so will get suitable changes to suit that role.
Riaan Neveling, Head of KTM Global Marketing, said: "The KTM 990 RC R is a groundbreaking innovation for those who live for the thrill of cornering. It's for those who lean close to the road, almost brushing their knees, and then push the limits, dragging elbow to the tarmac on the racetrack. This bike offers power and prestige without the exorbitant price tag. At last, we can unveil our KTM 990 RC R and introduce a truly exceptional motorcycle to dealerships in early 2025."
