KTM Cooking Parallel-Twin Sweetness: RC490 Spotted Testing

Quick Read: 

• KTM RC 490 prototype spotted in Europe, marking the revival of the 490 project which was earlier shelved in around 2023

• New 490cc parallel-twin engine will run even less stressed than the current 400cc single with no compromise in performance.

• Likely debut in late 2026, launch in 2027

The first bike from the much-awaited KTM 490 twin-cylinder platform has finally been spotted on test in Europe, and it looks like the motorcycle is in the advanced stages of development. A few years ago, KTM was working on a range of sub-500cc twin-cylinder motorcycles under the “490” banner. It was even mentioned in an investor presentation, but the project was eventually shelved due to cost concerns. Now, spy shots confirm that KTM has revived the project, and the upcoming 490 range will likely be built in Bajaj Auto’s Chakan facility. 

Why a 490 Parallel Twin Makes Sense

The test bike clearly shows twin exhaust pipes exiting the cylinder head, confirming the new twin-cylinder engine. Instead of a 490cc parallel-twin, it could displace a little over 500cc so that there’s enough gap between the current-gen 399cc single. The biggest benefit lies in refinement. KTM’s single-cylinder motors have always been high-strung, prioritising performance over smoothness. With this new engine platform that too with a slightly larger displacement, KTM will be able eke out well over 50PS from the motor, while at the same time ensuring it is as smooth. 

As for foreign markets, we expect the brand to offer the KTM 490 range in two guises - one with a ‘standard’ tune for A1 licence holders, and another in a slightly detuned guise for A2 riders. That way, KTM will be able to serve riders of both levels of skills, not to mention the budgets as well. Moreover, a parallel-twin 500cc is the need of the hour if KTM were to revive its global sales. Recent global economic developments have popularised the middleweight segment considerably, and many brands seem to be using this space as their playground. Honda has the CBR500R, Kawasaki has the Ninja 500, and recently, even Aprilia jumped into the bandwagon with the RS457. Even BMW Motorrad is working on a 450cc parallel-twin platform, which will eventually give birth to a faired bike, possibly called the S 450 RR. So with the upcoming KTM RC490, the Austrian bikemaker will have a fighting chance in this fast-growing segment.  

Like other existing ranges from KTM, this platform will also likely be versatile enough to spawn bikes of different genres. So it’s only a matter of time before we see a KTM Duke 490 or a KTM Adventure 490 on the streets. 

Looks Inspired by Bigger KTMs

In terms of design, the RC 490 seems to have taken inspiration from the track-only KTM RC990, complete with winglets. While the current-gen RC390 looks a little polarising, the RC490’s design looks like it will be palatable to a wider range of audience. Like any modern KTM worth its salt, it gets a projector LED headlight, LED indicators with tail light integrated into the rear blinkers. 

Another noticeable change is in the bodywork, which looks much leaner compared to the current RC range. From the side, the prototype reveals a reworked bolt-on aluminium subframe, while the tail section is sharp and minimal. The number plate holder and indicators at the rear seem easily removable, making the bike track-day friendly. The pillion seat, however, looks small and narrow - but that’s never really a bone of contention for RC fans.

The bike rides on grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso 3 tyres, though an India-spec version will likely get local options such as Apollo Alpha H1 or Eurogrip Protorq Extreme - both pretty good on their own. You can also see adjuster knobs on top of the WP inverted fork - so expect it to be fully-adjustable. Interestingly, unlike the offset monoshock, this one gets a bottom-link monoshock for more sophisticated damping. Of course, this one will also likely be fully-adjustable. 

Another interesting aspect is the single-sided cast aluminium swingarm - this one looks similar to its Chinese cousin, the CFMoto 450SR S. The disc brakes seem to be those new-gen lightweight ones that KTM uses for its newer bikes. 

On the features front, the RC 490 is expected to get the whole shabang - a TFT console, multiple riding modes, lean-sensitive traction control & ABS. You can also see the quickshifter module on the bike.

All in all, judging by the premium underpinnings and sporty ergos, the KTM RC490 will be a purpose-built supersport unlike the slightly more forgiving faired bikes like the CBR500R and the Ninja 500. This should work in KTM’s favour as it will live up to the ‘Ready To Race’ tag. 

Could Be Sold Alongside the 390 Range

Importantly, KTM is expected to sell the 490cc twin-cylinder bikes alongside the existing 390 single-cylinder models in India. The 490 platform itself is believed to be scalable, so there will be a whole bunch of bikes with the KTM 690 tag. In fact, the 690 Duke and the Adventure 690 were spotted recently too. Coming back to the 490, it would nicely bridge the gap between the smaller 390 lineup and the bigger 790 series. With local production by Bajaj, KTM should be able to price the new bikes aggressively, so we wouldn’t be surprised if they cost somewhere around Rs 4-4.5 lakh (ex-showroom). 

In many ways, the KTM 490 platform will be similar to what Royal Enfield did with the 650 platform - offer refined parallel-twin riding experience to the masses, while also being as scalable. KTM could give us a glimpse of the bike at next year’s EICMA, with launch possibly in the year after. 

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