Kawasaki Vulcan S vs KTM RC 390

Last Updated: October 8, 2026

KTM RC 390 price starts at Rs. 3.33 Lakh, which is Rs. 4.90 Lakh cheaper than the base variant of Kawasaki Vulcan S, priced at Rs. 8.23 Lakh. In terms of mileage, the Vulcan S offers a claimed 20.58 kmpl, while the RC 390 delivers 29 kmpl. On the performance front, the Vulcan S uses a 649cc engine producing 61 PS @ 7500 rpm and the RC 390 a 373.27cc engine producing 43.5 PS @ 9000 rpm. If you're deciding between the Vulcan S and RC 390, the RC 390 is the better pick for affordability and mileage, while the Vulcan S stands out for performance.

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Vulcan S vs RC 390 Comparison Summary

Specification Kawasaki Vulcan SKTM RC 390
Ex-showroom price (base) Rs. 8.23 LakhRs. 3.33 Lakh
Mileage 20.58 kmpl29 kmpl
Engine 649 cc373.27 cc
Max power 61 PS @ 7500 rpm43.5 PS @ 9000 rpm
Kerb weight 235 Kg172 Kg

Vulcan S vs RC 390 Key Highlights

Basic Info Kawasaki Vulcan S STDKTM RC 390 GP Edition
Rating
16 reviews
103 reviews
Brand Name Kawasaki KTM
Ex-Showroom Price Rs. 8.23 Lakh Check On Road Price Rs. 3.33 Lakh Check On Road Price
Engine Type Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, parallel twin, DOHC Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, DOHC, FI Engine
Max Power 61 PS @ 7500 rpm 43.5 PS @ 9000 rpm
Fuel Type Petrol Petrol
Colors
Kawasaki Vulcan S Colors
KTM RC 390 Colors
Wheel Size Front :-457.2 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Wheels Type (Pressed Steel/ Alloy) Alloy Alloy
ABS Dual Channel Dual Channel
Starting Self Start Only Self Start Only
Speedometer Analogue Digital
EMI
Rs. 22,534 @ 6% (36 months)
Rs. 9,128 @ 6% (36 months)
Insurance Rs. 29,831 Vulcan S Insurance Rs. 22,696 RC 390 Insurance
Brochure N/A
Download Brochure

Spark Plugs
1 Per Cylinder
1 Per Cylinder
Valves (per cylinder)
4
4
Claimed Top Speed
186 kmph
169 kmph
Emission Norm Compliance
bs6.2
bs6.2
Engine Type
Liquid-cooled, 4-stroke, parallel twin, DOHC
Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, DOHC, FI Engine
Engine Displacement
649 cc
373.27 cc
Gear Box
6 Speed
6 Speed
Max Power
61 PS @ 7500 rpm
43.5 PS @ 9000 rpm
Max Torque
61 Nm @ 6600 rpm
37 Nm @ 7000 rpm
Bore
83 mm
89 mm
Stroke
60 mm
60 mm
Number Of Cylinders
2
1
Drive Type
Chain Drive
Chain Drive
Fuel System
Fuel Injection
Fuel Injection
Fuel Type
Petrol
Petrol
Ignition
Digital
Not Available
Compression Ratio
10.8:1
12.88:1

Front Brake
Disc
Disc
Rear Brake
Disc
Disc
Front Caliper
2 Piston
4 Piston
Rear Caliper
1 Piston
1 Piston

Mileage (Overall)
20.58 kmpl
29 kmpl
0-100 Kmph (sec)
5.83s
6.49s
Braking 60-0 km/h
16.38m
17.13m
Average Speed
Not Available
Yes
City Mileage (Tested)
20.58 kmpl
Not Available
Highway Mileage (Tested)
24.37 kmpl
Not Available
Braking 80-0 km/h
28.04m
30.81m
Braking 100-0 km/h
44.09m
48.22m
Roll-ons 30-70 kmph (3rd Gear)
3.48s
3.65s
Roll-ons 40-80 kmph (4th Gear)
4.13s
5.13s
Fuel Gauge
Digital
Digital

Suspension-Front
Ø41 mm, Telescopic Fork, Wheel Travel - 130 mm
Wp Apex Usd Forks, 43 mm Diameter
Suspension-Rear
Offset Laydown Single-Shock, Linkage Equipped, With Adjustable Preload, Wheel Travel - 80 mm
Wp Apex Monoshock, 10 Step Adjustable

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider)
32 psi
29 psi
Front Tyre Pressure (Rider and Pillion)
32 psi
29 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider)
36 psi
29 psi
Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider and Pillion)
36 psi
30 psi
Tyre Size
Front :-120/70-18 Rear :-160/60-17
Front :-110/70-17, Rear :-150/60-17
Wheel Size
Front :-457.2 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Front :-431.8 mm,Rear :-431.8 mm
Tyre Type
Tubeless
Tubeless
Radial Tyre
Not Available
Yes
Wheels Type (Pressed Steel/ Alloy)
Alloy
Alloy

Dry Weight
221 kg
Not Available
Seat height
705 mm
835 mm
Fuel Tank Reserve Capacity
2.1 L
1.5 L
Length*Width*Height
2310*855*1090 mm3
2145*760*830 mm3
Wheelbase
1575 mm
1340 mm
Length
2310 mm
2145 mm
Ground Clearance
130 mm
153 mm
Height
1090 mm
830 mm
Width
855 mm
760 mm
Fuel Tank Capacity
14 L
13.7 L
Kerb Weight
235 Kg
172 Kg
Tail Light
LED
LED
Front Brake Size
300 mm
320 mm
Rear Brake Size
250 mm
230 mm

Call/SMS Alerts
Not Available
Yes
Headlight
LED
LED
Battery Capacity
Not Available
12V / 8AH
Projector head light
Not Available
LED Projector
Pilot Lamps
Not Available
Yes

Cruise Control
Yes
Not Available
Frame Type
Tubular Diamond
Split Trellis Frame (Tubular), Sub Frame Newly Engineered Bolt On Subframe
Digital Display Type
LCD
TFT
Malfunction Indicator
Yes
Yes
Trip Meter
Digital
Digital
Pillion Seat
Yes
Yes
Pillion Grab Rail
Not Available
Yes
Calls and Messaging
Not Available
Yes
Navigation assist
Not Available
Yes
Riding Modes
Not Available
Yes
Traction Control
Yes
Yes
Kill Switch
Yes
Yes
Low battery alert
Yes
Yes
No. of Tripmeters
2
2
Engine Temperature Indicator
Yes
Yes
Rear Footpegs
Yes
Yes
Daytime Running Lamps
Yes
Yes
Additional Features/Information
K-ACT (Kawasaki Advanced Coactive-braking Technology)
Rider Aids - MTC, Quickshifter+, Cornering ABS, Supermoto, Race Derived Technology
Windscreen
Not Available
Yes
Gear Position Indicator
Yes
Yes
Average Fuel Economy Indicator
Yes
Yes
ABS Type
Dual Channel
Dual Channel
Distance To Empty
Yes
Yes
Side Stand Warning
Not Available
Yes
Handlebar type
Not Available
Adjustable
ABS
Dual Channel
Dual Channel
Body Type
Cruiser Bikes
Sports Bikes
Body Graphics
Not Available
Yes
Instrument Console Type
Analogue and Digital
Digital
Bluetooth Connectivity
Not Available
Bluetooth
Starting
Self Start Only
Self Start Only
Seat Type
Split
Split
Pass Beam Switch
Yes
Yes
Speedometer
Analogue
Digital
Tachometer
Not Available
Digital
Low Fuel Warning Lamp
Yes
Yes
Clock
Digital
Yes
Low Battery Indicator
Yes
Yes
Stepup Seat
Yes
Yes
Low Oil Indicator
Yes
Yes
Passenger Backrest
Yes
Not Available
Cooling System
Liquid Cooled
Liquid Cooled
Odometer
Digital
Digital
Navigation
Not Available
Yes
Service Due Indicator
Yes
Yes
Saree Guard
Yes
Yes
Shift Light
Yes
Yes
Quick Shifter
Not Available
Yes

1st Service
1000 Kms
1000 Kms/45 Days
2nd Service
6000 Kms
8500 Kms/150 Days
3rd Service
12000 Kms
16000 Kms/240 Days
4th Service
18000 Kms/24000 Days
Not Available

Vehicle Warranty
2 Years or 30,000 Km
2 Years or 30,000 Km
Standard Warranty (Years)
2
2
Standard Warranty (kilometers)
30000
30000

Pros and Cons

  • Positives
  • Negatives
KTM RC 390
  • Added engine versatility leads to more excitement; Sharp handling doesn’t scare you silly; Relatively relaxed ergos makes it more accommodating and lends better bike control; Cornering ABS, traction control and quickshifter!
KTM RC 390
  • Design is extremely polarising; Massive price hike compared to its predecessor; Fit and finish levels are sub-par

Is Kawasaki Vulcan S Better Than KTM RC 390?

100% users have chosen Kawasaki Vulcan S over KTM RC 390 in a survey being conducted on zigwheels.com.
Apart from this survey a total of 283 users have also rated Kawasaki Vulcan S and KTM RC 390 on some really important factors like Mileage , performance, comfort, safety etc. and have given their personal opinions about these bikes.
Kawasaki Vulcan S has out rated KTM RC 390 on all the rating factors.
Before making your decision you should also consider the unbiased and thorough analysis of these bikes on every aspect by our auto experts who have summarised the analysis in pros, cons and final conclusion..

Ratings Factor RC 390 Vulcan S
Mileage 3.7 2.6
Performance 4.4 2.9
Comfort 4.6 3.5
Maintenance 3.6 2.5
Features 4.6 3.6
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Latest News on Kawasaki Vulcan S and KTM RC 390

Recently Asked User Questions

Q. Hi, I haven’t owned a bike yet but I am planning to but my first .. I am currently learning how to ride on the pulsar180 .. should I go for the rc 390 or apache 310 or any other one as I really love travelling .. but majorly I would ride in the city and occasionally hit the highway and might even go on long trips as I live in kashmir and the college that I have got in in New Delhi so it would be a bit your so pls suggest me a bike as I can’t reach on a decision .. I like Royal Enfield’s also but there power delivery is even less than the one I am currently owning .. my budget is around 3 lakhs .. pls suggest?
  • We would suggest you go for TVS Apache RR 310. TVS has done an incredible job in ironing out the sore spots of the Apache RR 310 with the BS6 update. It is loaded with tech, making it the most technologically advanced motorcycle in its class. The new prices are quite close to its fiercest rival -- the KTM RC 390. While it may lack the outright performance of the RC 390, the Apache RR 310 BS6 makes up for it by being a well-rounded machine that can do daily duties as well as corner carving or even touring, for that matter. For a better understanding of compatibility and riding comfort, we would suggest you to take a test ride. Follow the link and select your desired city for dealership..Read more:- TVS Apache RR 310 BS6 Road Test Review
Q. Hi, I am looking to upgrade my Suzuki Hayate 110 cc. My Budget is around 3 Lakh, Should I Upgrade to Duke 390 or the Interceptor? or should I look for a lower capacity Motorcycle? My height is 5'5 and I weigh around 67 Kg. Please let me know the best bike for me as most of my rides will be in the city and occasional run on the highway.
  • You should take ktm RC 200 moto gp edition Or RC 390 moto gp edition
  • Yes go for it Duke 390
  • I suggest duke390 is better
View All Answers
Q. I am planning to buy my first bike. My shortlisted choices are very small Vulcan S650 and Versys 650. Considering Indian road conditions, which bike would you recommend me? My budget is around 6.5 lakhs INR. Any other options are also welcome.
  • Yes..
  • Yes.. You can either install an Aftermarket exhaust or get ‘fork raisers’ installed.. Since I live in Bengaluru where cops seem to be very strict about aftermarket exhausts ( and also due to these exhausts being very expensive ), I got ‘fork raisers’ installed which raise the frame by a couple of inches thereby increasing the ground clearance by about an inch..Note that these fork raisers are not some standard accessories you can buy.. These were fabricated and installed at a workshop owned by a member of one of the riding clubs, so you need to check if such fabrication and installation can be done by someone in your city..
  • Hi Sathish, I am also planning to buy Vulcan s but due to GC problem I am not getting sure about this. Can we increase Ground Clearance of vulcan s?
View All Answers
|Kawasaki Vulcan S Community

Kawasaki Vulcan S Vs KTM RC 390 FAQs

Which bike is best between Kawasaki Vulcan S vs KTM RC 390?
Kawasaki Vulcan S has out rated KTM RC 390 on all the rating factors.
Which bike is cheaper Kawasaki Vulcan S vs KTM RC 390?
The KTM RC 390 is cheaper than Kawasaki Vulcan S by ₹4.90 Lakh.
Which bike offers better performance Kawasaki Vulcan S vs KTM RC 390?
For the STD version, 649 cc Petrol engine of Vulcan S produces 61 PS @ 7500 rpm of power and 61 Nm @ 6600 rpm of torque. Whereas for the GP Edition version, 373.27 cc Petrol engine of RC 390 produces 43.5 PS @ 9000 rpm of power and 37 Nm @ 7000 rpm of torque
As per the users experiences the Kawasaki Vulcan S has better performance.

Images of KTM RC 390 and Kawasaki Vulcan S

Which one do you like more?
RC 390
RC 390
Vulcan S
Vulcan S
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