KTM RC 390 (2014+) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule and service intervals for the RC 390, KTM’s entry-level but still race-ready sportbike.
The RC 390 uses the same engine block as in the KTM 390 Duke and KTM 390 Adventure, so the maintenance schedule has a lot in common.
The RC 390 is powered by a single-cylinder fuel-injected DOHC liquid-cooled engine that makes peak power of 32 kW (43 hp) @ 9,500 rpm, with 37 Nm (27 ft-lb) of peak torque.
It was built to compete with other entry-level sportbikes like the Kawasaki Ninja 400.
The KTM RC 390 has evolved a little since its introduction for the 2014 model year.
- 2014-2017 model: Original spec
- 2017 — slipper clutch, different exhaust, adjustable brake levers, a ride-by-wire throttle, a larger 320mm front brake rotor, larger mirrors, LED headlights, and cosmetic changes.
- 2021 model — TFT display, more comfortable seating position for both rider and pillion, new rear silencer.
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Maintenance schedule for the RC 390
The schedule below comes straight from the manual for the RC 390, though it has been formatted slightly to look better on a web page.
The maintenance schedule for the KTM RC 390 comes in two parts: required work and recommended work.
KTM recommends most of the work be done by qualified mechanics (preferably KTM mechanics but those are harder to find), and owners only do the following:
- Check brakes (maybe replace if necessary)
- Check/adjust tyre pressures
- Check/adjust chain tension
- Check coolant and brake fluid levels
And very little else.
Required work for the KTM RC 390
The required service has a break-in, 7,500km, and 15,000 km service. The last two services are repeated every 7,500 and 15,000 km respectively.
Some items are every 1-2 years. Attend to each item whenever the sooner of the distance or time interval has arrived.
| 000 miles | 0.62 | 4.65 | 9.3 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000 km | 1 | 7.5 | 15 | Every |
| [Dealer] Read out the fault memory using the KTM diagnostics tool. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check that the electrical system is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the engine oil and the oil filter, clean the oil screens. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake discs. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the front brake linings. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake linings. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the tire condition | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check tire pressure | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the brake lines for damage and leakage. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the front brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the rear brake fluid level. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the shock absorber and fork for leaks | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Clean the dust boots of the fork legs | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the chain, rear sprocket, and engine sprocket. | ✓ | ✓ | Year | |
| Check the chain tension | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the coolant level. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check that the radiator fan is functioning properly. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the air filter, clean the air filter box. | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Chek that the throttle cables are undamaged, routed without sharp bends, and set correctly. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the cables for damage and routing without sharp bends | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the valve clearance, change the spark plug. | ✓ | |||
| Change the front brake fluid. | 2 years | |||
| Change the rear brake fluid. | 2 years | |||
| Check the steering head play. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the headlight setting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Final check: Check the vehicle for safe operationa nd take a test ride. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Set the service interval display | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [Dealer] Read out the error memory after the test ride using the KTM diagnostics tool | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Make a service entry in KTMDealer.net | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
Recommended work
The recommended service for the KTM RC 390 has different intervals to the above required service. It’s every 7,500 km or 30,000 km, or every 1 or 4 years.
Attend to each item whenever the sooner of the distance or time interval has arrived. (e.g. if you’ve done less than 7,500 km in a year, still do the annual checks).
| 000 km | 1 | 7.5 | 30 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 000 miles | 0.62 | 4.65 | 18.6 | Every |
| Check the frame | ✓ | |||
| Check the link fork | ✓ | |||
| Check the swingarm bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Check the wheel bearing for play | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Grease all moving parts (e.g. side stand, hand lever, chain) and check for smooth operation | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Empty the drainage hoses | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check all hoses (fuel, coolant, drainage etc.) and sleeves for cracking, leaks, and incorrect routing | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Check the antifreeze | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Change the coolant | 4 years | |||
| Check the tightness of the safety-relevant screws and nuts which are easily accessible. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
KTM RC 390 Tyre sizes and pressures
The RC 390 ships with the following tyre sizes and pressures. It shares these with the 390 Duke, although the shipped brands varies.
| Wheel | Tyre size | Tyre pressure |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 110/70 R 17 M/C 54H TL | 2 bar/29 psi |
| Rear | 150/60 R 17 M/C 66H TL | 2 bar/29 psi 2.2 bar/32 psi with passenger |
The RC 390 ships with either Metzeler Sportec MT Interact or Michelin Pilot Power Street tyres.
About the KTM RC 390
The KTM RC 390 is an entry-level sportbike motorcycle from KTM. It’s entry-level but that doesn’t mean it’s not high-performance and certainly doesn’t mean it’s “slow”.
Cycle World tests showed it had a top speed of 167 km/h and a 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) of around 5.5 seconds when absolutely pegging the throttle and shifting quickly!
The KTM RC 390 shares the same engine with the 390 Duke in the same tune. But the motorcycle is different from the 390 Duke in that it has a more aggressive riding position, plus some aspects that make it a different ride, including slightly steeper rake, and a single-piece trellis frame.
The RC 390 shares the same ABS ByBre brakes and WP 43mm non-adjustable front fork. They’re basic compared to more advanced racebikes, but the suspension performs really well on the traffic despite the lack of adjustability. Same with the brakes.
Because of its sub-150 kg (325 lb) wet weight, the KTM RC 390 is extremely easy to handle and throw into corners. It takes very little steering input to get the RC 390 fully leaned over and using all of the tyre, leaving everything up to the skill of the rider.
Similarly, the light weight means that the single front disc is perfect for pulling it up to a stop from the modest top speeds that it can achieve.
The 2017 update’s RbW system is fantastic, with very smooth torque delivery and from idle all the way to the redline, above the 9,000 rpm torque peak. Despite being a single, the ride from the RC 390 is vibe-free, thanks to effective counter-balancing.
The 2021 model (at time of publication not fully released) brings with it a lot of the updates that the 2019 model 390 Duke received, like the TFT display shared with the 390 Adventure.
Manual for the KTM RC 390
The above maintenance schedule came directly from the manual for the KTM RC 390 from 2020.
We compared the manuals from different years and found they had the same contents, just some lines in randomly different position.
You can download the manual directly from KTM here.
