If you were to ask a group of random people what they thought a Sport Bike was all about, the majority would respond with some kind or comment about speed, power or performance. For most these bikes are an endless search for lap times and eking out every ounce of what is possible with modern technology.
Sure that is a noble pursuit and something many of us lust after. But when talking about the real world, and our real world talents, most of us fall short. We simply do not have the skills, time, or commitment to extract everything that a modern Sport Bike can offer.
Enter the KTM 390 Cup bike. A small displacement single cylinder race bike. The idea was to offer a type of training bike for younger racers and adults looking to hone skills out on track. Low horse power demands corner speeds and teaches you to conserve momentum.
A bike like this will have a relatively low running cost, and allow the rider to rack up the hours on track practicing and learning how to squeeze everything out of this little orange wonder.
From The Seller’s eBay Listing:
About this vehicle
This 2015 KTM 390 is an original. The owner has had it for 1 year. The vehicle runs great.
Seller’s Notes
Bike was bought from a guy in Los Angeles 15 months ago. He bought it from someone who used to raced in MotoAmerica. He never rode with the bike in the track. I bought it to ride with it in small tracks (APEX) But never had time to do it. Since I did all the maintenance, motorcycle has been seating in my garage.Vehicle Details
The first turnkey racebike since Moriwaki’s MD250H, the KTM RC390 Cup was introduced to start a RC Cup with MotoAmerica in the hopes of growing the next wave of US talent to be seen in MotoGP. Most bikes were sold to race teams, but a few examples were snagged by members of the public who wanted a dedicated track toy.The spec bike takes the already-competent RC390 and adds upgrades such as an assist-and-slipper clutch, ABS module deletion, and a retuned engine for less peak horsepower and more mid-range torque. As if that wasn’t enough, dry weight comes in at 304lbs, with a generous selection of parts from KTM’s PowerParts catalog, including:
Akrapovic titanium exhaust with baffle.
Fiberglass race bodywork with solo seat tail.
Race windshield (taller)
17” aluminum rims (originally) shod in Dunlop Sportmax Alpha-13 SP tires, upgraded 320mm petal rotors.
Adjustable CNC-machined aluminum rearsets.
Fully adjustable WP Racing suspension front and rear.
Swingarm spools
Manufactured in February of 2015, this example is VIN: MD2JYJ4CXFC214759.
It is designed for closed course competition use only. By design, the odometer does not function on the Cup model and true mileage is unknown.
Maintenance.
Replaced the brake fluid, changed the oil, installed a new rear sprocket, replaced the battery, installed a new left cover and valve gasket, installed new spark plugs, performed a valve service, and added new coolant. Coant T pipe was replaced and gaskets
Modifications:
RG engine covers
Key switch elimination harness.
Motion Pro REV 3 throttle kit.
Bazzaz quick shifter
Currently located in San Diego, this KTM is offered on a Bill of Sale only
Details are fuzzy on exactly how many of these machines were made. KTM does not make many sport bikes, and these were always going to be a limited market. Sure there are some adults that might be simply too large to really enjoy this, but if you can fold yourself onto the bike there is surely an amazing experience to be had.
Will be interesting to watch this listing. It is devoid of a Buy It Now price, and there are few comps to look at. A normal street 390 is not a very expensive bike new or used, so unsure what the premium for the track version will be, if any.
These are great little bikes.
As a former LW racer myself before I converted to bigger bikes I can vouch for the awesome power of corner speed.
Roughly same lap times as my Duc 996 on the local track.