KTM 450 RC at EICMA: Why It Isn’t the Expected 490 RC

• Production starts at the end of 2027, model year 2028
• WP APEX suspension, 320 mm single-disc brake, cornering ABS with Supermoto setting
• KTM will only reveal power, weight and price shortly before production starts

Among KTM’s new models in Milan, the 450 RC was the biggest surprise. Alongside updated 2027 models such as the 1390 Super Duke R and new Factory Editions of the SX-F, KTM put a small parallel-twin supersport bike in the spotlight that is not due to enter series production until the end of 2027. The 450 RC is not entirely unknown, though. A model of the same name has been on sale in China since April 2026. For the model year 2028 version, KTM is now emphasising its own suspension setup and its own tuning. How powerful the engine is, how much the bike weighs and what it will cost remain open for now.

What technology has KTM confirmed for the 2028 450 RC?

Suspension, brakes, tyres and electronics have been confirmed, but the engine data has not. All that is certain is that a twin-cylinder engine powers the 450 RC.

Suspension and brakes

Up front sits an upside-down fork from WP’s APEX range with 43 millimetre stanchions. It is adjustable for rebound and compression damping, in other words how quickly it extends again and how firmly it damps as it compresses. At the rear, a WP APEX shock works on a single-sided swingarm. Here, spring preload and rebound are adjustable.

Braking at the front is handled by a single 320 millimetre disc, gripped by a radially mounted four-piston WP caliper. KTM deliberately relies on just one disc because it reduces unsprung mass. That refers to the parts that are not cushioned by the suspension, such as the wheel and brake. The manufacturer sees this as an advantage for dynamic handling. From the factory, the 450 RC rolls on Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tyres.

Electronics and cockpit

For the rider aids, KTM draws on technology normally found in the brand’s larger road models. The cornering ABS also works at lean angle. On top of that come MTC traction control, a two-channel ABS with a Road and a Supermoto setting, and several riding modes. All information is shown on a 5-inch TFT display. Smartphones and sat navs can be charged via one USB-A and one USB-C port.

How much KTM 990 RC R is in the 450 RC’s styling?

Visually, the 450 RC clearly takes its cue from the big 990 RC R supersport bike and looks far more exotic than the previous small RC models. The front end comes to a sharp point, the LED lights are slim, and several fairing panels are layered on top of each other around the nose.

Behind the fairing, the tank rises steeply and flows into a compact rider area. The tail is very short and sharply upswept. The single-sided swingarm, which leaves the rear wheel fully visible on one side, is particularly striking. Orange frame elements, dark fairing panels and the brand’s typical graphics make its origins instantly recognisable. Low-mounted clip-ons and rear-set footpegs create a genuine supersport riding position.

Is the KTM 450 RC the expected 490 RC?

No, the 450 RC and the planned 490 range are two separate projects. Anyone who has been waiting for a 490 model will have to be patient a while longer.

According to a report by the Indian portal BikeDekho, the 450 RC is based on an existing platform from KTM’s Chinese partner CFMoto and is built in China. The 490 models, by contrast, are being developed on an entirely new base and are to roll off the line in India. KTM has reportedly made it explicitly clear that they are not offshoots of CFMoto technology. The first model, the 490 Duke, is set to debut in production form at EICMA 2027. The 490 Adventure is expected to follow later and could be shown at EICMA 2028.

For a long time it was not certain that the 450 RC would exist at all. KTM’s former management had actually halted the 450 and 490 models planned together with CFMoto. After the takeover by Bajaj, however, the project did make it onto the road after all, initially in China.

What is known about the Chinese version of the KTM 450 RC?

In China, the 450 RC has been available since April 2026 for 34,999 yuan (approximately 4,690 euros / 5,250 US dollars at current exchange rates). Its specifications offer a first indication, but KTM has not said whether they also apply to the model year 2028.

According to Chinese homologation data, the 449 cc inline twin produces 56 hp (41 kW) and is said to take the bike to 195 km/h (121 mph). The Chinese version is said to weigh 168 kg (370 lbs) ready to ride. The tyre sizes are 110/70-17 at the front and 150/60-17 at the rear, the same as on the technically related CFMoto 450 SR-S. Equipment there includes an electronic throttle with mode selection, traction control, cruise control and a TFT display with connectivity. Tyre pressure monitoring and heated grips are available at extra cost.

With 56 hp, the Chinese version exceeds the 48 hp (35 kW) limit of the European A2 licence class. Whether KTM is planning an A2 version for Europe is not yet known.

When will the 2028 KTM 450 RC go on sale?

Production is due to start at the end of 2027, and the 450 RC will then be sold as a 2028 model year bike. KTM intends to announce technical data, prices and the exact markets only shortly before production begins.

This makes the 450 RC one of the EICMA 2026 newcomers that still need a full year to reach dealers. At the show in Milan, it can be seen on the KTM stand in Hall 22 (Stand I08) until 8 November. Until the market launch, one question in particular is likely to remain open: how far the European version will differ technically from the Chinese version, which KTM now wants to upgrade with its own suspension tuning.

Frequently Asked Questions

➜ Find all technical specifications for this model in our motorcycle database: KTM 450 RC 2028.

➜ More on this topic in our overview: EICMA 2026: All New Models and Premieres from Milan at a Glance.