Introduction: A New Era for Middleweight Supersports
If you’ve followed sportbike evolution over the last decade, you know the middleweight class has been in flux. The traditional 600cc supersport category—once the beating heart of trackdays and amateur racing—faded under rising costs, lukewarm street usability, and insurance headaches. In their place emerged a new wave of larger-displacement, high-tech “next-generation” middleweights that deliver real-world torque, attainable performance, and far less stress when you’re not wearing leathers.
Enter the 2026 KTM 990 RC R, a motorcycle designed at the crossroads of two worlds: approachable street performance and true supersport credibility. KTM is clear that the RC R is not a turnkey race bike, but rather a highly adaptable platform engineered to satisfy riders who want everyday usability—and still crave the occasional apex.
After full days of testing on both Spanish public roads and a closed circuit, one thing is certain: This is the most complete faired sportbike KTM has built in years. Not perfect, but unquestionably impressive.
Let’s break it down.
Engine & Electronics: Broad Power and a Deep Menu of Settings
KTM’s 947cc LC8c parallel twin has already proven itself in the 990 Duke, but the RC R gets its own personality. The hardware is largely the same—dual overhead cams, a 270-degree crank, and large 92.5mm pistons—but KTM retuned nearly every supporting system.
Revised Mapping and Full Throttle-Body Opening
The RC R receives dedicated Bosch engine mapping with more aggressive opening strategies for the ride-by-wire system. Unlike the 990 Duke’s 75% throttle-body limit in Sport mode, the RC R allows 100% mechanical opening, giving the supersport a noticeably stronger midrange surge.
KTM claims:
128 hp @ 9,500 rpm
78 lb-ft @ 6,750 rpm
On the road, it feels every bit as muscular as the numbers suggest. The twin’s character is broad and forgiving, pulling cleanly from 3,000 rpm and building to a strong upper-midrange rush without ever feeling frantic or peaky. The character sits somewhere between a torquey Ducati V2 and a calmer 990 Duke—more linear and controlled.
On track, the RC R’s fueling is impressively crisp, with minimal hesitation in transitions and a satisfying connection between wrist and rear tire. It’s not a motor that demands perfect gear selection, and that’s a significant advantage for growing riders.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Electronics: One of the Most Complete Packages in the Class
Even in base trim, the RC R offers:
Street, Sport, and Custom riding modes
Wheelie control
Cornering ABS
Multi-stage traction control
8.8-inch TFT touchscreen
Offline GPS navigation
Multiple engine-brake settings
But KTM being KTM, the good stuff is paywalled behind optional upgrade packs.
Track Pack ($499.99)
Adds:
Track mode
Four ABS maps (Road, Sport, Supermoto, Supermoto+)
Two additional Custom modes
Adjustable throttle response
Multi-stage MTC Slip Adjuster
Anti-wheelie control (5 levels + Off)
Launch control
Lap timer and telemetry display
Tech Pack ($899.99)
Includes everything above plus:
Cruise control
Quickshifter+ (up/down)
Motor Slip Regulation (MSR)
Adaptive brake light (non-US)
For spirited riders or trackday regulars, the Tech Pack feels almost mandatory. Nearly every tester found the electronics both intuitive and effective. Adjustments are fast, the TFT layout is clean, and even mid-corner tweaks can be made with minimal distraction.
This is one of the most complete electronics suites in the middleweight supersport category.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Chassis & Suspension: Communicative, Compliant, but Soft at the Limit
KTM didn’t reuse the Duke chassis wholesale. While the trellis frame still uses the engine as a stressed member, the steering geometry, subframe, swingarm, and linkage are all unique to the RC R.
Key Geometry Numbers
Rake: 24.2°
Trail: 3.9 in.
Wheelbase: 58.3 in.
Wet Weight: 430 lbs
These numbers place the RC R squarely among modern street-oriented supersports: quick to turn, but not twitchy.
Suspension: WP Apex Fully Adjustable
Up front sits a 48mm WP Apex open-cartridge fork with preload, compression, and rebound adjustability. Rear duties are handled by a fully adjustable WP Apex shock with linkage—a significant upgrade over the Duke’s direct-mount setup.
On the street, the baseline settings provide a plush, controlled ride. You feel connected to the pavement without being punished by imperfections. Midcorner stability is excellent at legal speeds and the chassis communicates traction changes clearly.
On the track? The softness becomes more apparent. Hard braking compresses the fork faster than expected, and aggressive corner exits reveal chassis flex that slightly unsettles the bike at full lean. The RC R is not vague—it simply feels tuned for street performance, not hot-race pace.
Adjustability helps, but even maxing out damping still leaves the RC R feeling more compliant than truly stiff.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Brakes & Tires: Excellent Stoppers, Supported by Smart ABS
KTM equips the RC R with premium Brembo Hypure four-piston calipers biting dual 320mm discs. Feel at the lever is strong and progressive, with enough initial bite for track braking yet enough modulation for the street.
Rear braking is similarly predictable, especially in Supermoto modes where KTM allows full rear ABS deactivation. The six-axis IMU ensures ABS intervention happens late and smoothly.
Tire Specification
Michelin Power Cup 2
120/70ZR-17 front
180/55ZR-17 rear
These tires are trackday-ready from the showroom and complement the bike’s communicative chassis well. Grip is plentiful until pushed to expert pace, where the soft suspension limits chassis stability more than the tires themselves.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Ergonomics & Rider Triangle: Surprisingly Comfortable for a Sportbike
Ergonomics were a major focus for KTM, and the result is a riding position that works for both canyon carving and long days in the saddle.
Highlights
Clip-ons below the triple clamp but not drastically low
Two-position adjustable rearsets (street / track)
Narrow waist, wide seat support
33.3-inch seat height
Six-contact fuel tank shape for leverage
KTM’s redesigned tank deserves praise—its shape locks the rider in under braking and offers superb inner-thigh engagement in corners. It’s one of the best tanks on any current supersport.
The seat is firm but not punishing, and taller riders will appreciate the legroom.
Wind protection is moderate; good for highway use but still sport-oriented.
Street Riding Impressions: Calm, Capable, and Surprisingly Polite
The RC R is an easy motorcycle to live with.
Low-RPM Manners
Power delivery is predictable and tractable. You can short-shift your way through the city without lugging the engine, and vibration levels remain low. Heat management is acceptable when moving, though the engine does radiate noticeable warmth in stop-and-go traffic.
Ride Quality
The stock suspension is sublime on backroads—absorbent, composed, and full of feedback. Imperfect pavement never upsets the bike, and the wide spread of torque makes passing effortless.
Transmission
Here the RC R stumbles. The gearbox is notchy at low rpm, requiring deliberate shifts. The quickshifter’s upshifts are decent, but downshifts demand cleaner input. After an hour of tightly spaced roads, we found our left boot doing more work than expected.
Electronics
Cruise control works beautifully, TFT visibility is excellent in sunlight, and KTM’s offline GPS is genuinely useful in remote canyons where phone service evaporates.
Street verdict: A flexible, rewarding, and confidence-inspiring machine with only minor annoyances.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Track Riding Impressions: Friendly, Fast, but Not a Razor Blade
Take the RC R to a trackday and it immediately feels familiar—easy turn-in, strong midrange, and forgiving manners.
Power Delivery
The LC8c delivers broad, usable torque that makes the bike simple to ride quickly. Exiting corners in a gear too high barely penalizes you. Novice and intermediate riders will love this engine.
Chassis Behavior
At 7/10ths, the RC R feels planted and communicative. At 9/10ths, however, the bike starts to show its priorities. The soft suspension blows through travel under hard braking. Repeated high-speed direction changes load the chassis enough to induce a spring-like rebound effect. It’s manageable—but it’s clear that KTM tuned the RC R to be street-first, track-second.
Electronics
Track Mode is excellent. Throttle response is sharp without being jumpy, ABS in Sport mode stays quietly in the background, and traction control allows just enough slip to feel like a hero without sacrificing safety.
Transmission Issues
The gearbox again becomes the limiting factor. We experienced occasional resistance during aggressive downshifts and needed a slower, more deliberate shift to avoid false neutrals.
Braking Performance
Outstanding. Zero fade, predictable lever feel, and strong corner-entry stability.
Track verdict: Capable and fun—but riders aiming for podium pace will need suspension upgrades and gearbox refinement.
2026 KTM 990 RC R
2026 KTM 990 RC R
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Exceptionally balanced street performance
Broad and enjoyable engine character
Excellent electronics suite
Fantastic tank design and rider engagement
Strong brakes with premium hardware
Comfortable for long days
Track-ready with minimal setup
Weaknesses
Gearbox feels notchy and inconsistent
Stock suspension too soft for expert pace
Noticeable engine heat in traffic
Full performance requires pricey Tech Pack
Chassis flex at the very limit
Conclusion: Is the 2026 KTM 990 RC R Worth Buying?
Absolutely—depending on your goals.
If you want a daily-rideable supersport that still delivers legitimate trackday fun, the RC R hits the sweet spot. It’s more approachable than a Panigale V2, more modern than a GSX-R750, and more flexible than the upcoming Yamaha R9. Its electronics suite is among the best in its class, and few bikes are as adjustable to different riding scenarios.
However, if your mission is pure lap times or club racing, the RC R’s soft suspension and notchy gearbox will eventually frustrate you—unless you’re ready to upgrade those components.
For 90% of riders, this is one of the most rewarding and entertaining middleweight sportbikes of 2026. For the last 10% chasing trophies, it’s an excellent platform that just needs refinement.
Either way, KTM has built a machine that delivers joy on every ride.
2026 KTM 990 RC R – Full Technical Specifications
Category
Specification
MSRP
$13,949 (Tech Pack +$899)
Engine
Liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin
Displacement
947cc
Bore x Stroke
92.5 x 70.4mm
Compression Ratio
13.5:1
Transmission
6-speed; chain final drive
Clutch
PASC slipper clutch
Horsepower (claimed)
128.2 hp @ 9,500 rpm
Torque (claimed)
78 lb-ft @ 6,750 rpm
Throttle
Ride-by-wire
Fuel System
EFI w/ RBW
Frame
Chrome-moly trellis, engine stressed
Front Suspension
WP Apex 48mm open cartridge; fully adjustable; 5.8 in. travel
Rear Suspension
WP Apex monoshock w/ linkage; fully adjustable; 5.2 in. travel
