The 2014 KTM RC390 we’ve introduced to you quite recently appear to be electronically limited around the 178-179 km/k (111 mph) mark, the video after the jump reveals. The moment the new small-displacement sport bike will arrive in the western markets remains uncertain, and the only official date is the Indian presentation date scheduled to take place on September 9.
This video is allegedly shot during an official event, and the featured bike is said to be in its final production trim, and ready to ship. We can definitely hear the limiter kicking in and the speed decreasing after the numbers reach the 177-179 km/h mark.
Now, voices said that the 2014 KTM RC390 would be capable of reaching speeds of just north of 200 km/h (124 mph), but this remains to be seen/proved after the first riders get their machines and tamper with the electronics.
Truth be told, we kind expected more from the KTM RC390, especially one of the bikes it goes up against, the Kawasaki Ninja 300, is already doing significantly better, reaching 191 km/h (118.7 mph) in stock trim. If anything, there is still some room left on the rev bar for some extra speed the RC390 could get once the factory ECU settings are dumped, but again, this is one of the things only real-life, on-road experiments will be able to prove.
I wonder whether the new RC390 will be included in the existing mapping choice program the Indian Duke owners seem to enjoy. KTM allows the 390 Duke owners to opt for a performance or an economy mapping for their bikes. For a fee, KTM dealers will install either of the two mappings, while preserving the bike’s warranty intact, but allowing the owners to experience their machines the way they want.
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