KTM’s New 450 RC Officially Revealed At EICMA 2026 Is Not The RC 490 Supersport Enthusiasts Were Expecting
KTM has expanded its supersport lineup at EICMA 2026 with a new middleweight motorcycle that’s inspired by its larger RC motorcycles. However, this unveiling comes with an important distinction. Despite expectations surrounding KTM’s upcoming RC 490, the parallel-twin motorcycle displayed in Milan is actually called the 450 RC and belongs to a different development program. This distinction matters because KTM is also working on an entirely new 490cc parallel-twin platform being co-developed with Bajaj Auto which is expected to underpin its future sub-500cc motorcycles.
The KTM 450 RC Shares Its Engine And Platform With CFMoto
The new 450 RC is the result of KTM’s longstanding partnership with Chinese bikemaker CFMoto. The motorcycle uses the same basic 449cc parallel twin-engine architecture found in the CFMoto 450SS, along with a similar steel trellis frame. The engine features a 270-degree crankshaft, giving it an uneven firing interval designed to deliver V-twin-like engine characteristics.
However, KTM has not simply rebadged an existing CFMoto sportsbike. The Austrian bikemaker has developed its own bodywork, chassis setup, suspension tuning and rider ergonomics. It also replaces CFMoto’s suspension components with adjustable WP Apex ones and adds in a single-sided swingarm. The latter is a particularly interesting choice as it gives the motorcycle a more premium and distinctive appearance while also making it look different from the standard 450SS.
KTM has not revealed final engine performance figures or engine displacement numbers for the production model. The donor CFMoto engine displaces 449cck, but its output of 51 HP and 29.5 lb-ft should not be treated as the confirmed specification for the 450 RC. What’s confirmed though is that the 450 RC gets adjustable 43mm WP Apex fork, WP Apex monoshock, WP steering dampner, 320mm front disc brake and Pirelli Diablo Rosso 4 tires.
KTM’s Actual RC 490 Will Use A Different Engine Platform
The more interesting development is that KTM’s actual RC490 project remains in the pipeline. KTM had previously confirmed plans to expand its supersport range with both the 490 and 790 models. The upcoming RC 490 is expected to use a new twin-cylinder platform jointly developed by KTM and Bajaj, rather than the CFMoto-derived engine architecture underpinning the 450 RC.
This distinction is important because both motorcycles will coexist together but are intended for different roles within KTM’s future lineup. The 450 RC is based on an existing Chinese-developed platform, with KTM-specific chassis engineering and superior tuning and will be intended for specific markets. The upcoming 490, meanwhile, is expected to introduce an entirely new engine architecture that could eventually underpin other motorcycles beyond the RC 490 supersport motorcycle.
The KTM 450 RC is scheduled to enter production in late 2027. KTM has not announced its final specification, pricing or US availability. The actual RC 490 is some time far away, with its development program continuing separately. For now, the 450 RC gives KTM another entry point in the increasingly competitive middleweight supersport category.
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