KTM has revealed the 450 RC at EICMA in Milan, a new concept that points to the company’s return to the small sportsbike class with a parallel-twin engine. A plaque beside the machine reads ‘coming 2027’, while KTM’s plan places production toward the end of 2027 and the bike’s launch as a 2028 model year machine. The company has also stated its intention to offer the motorcycle in Europe. Full technical specifications and dimensions are expected to follow in the coming months.

The 450 RC appears to take over the role left by the single-cylinder RC 390, which departed KTM’s range in late 2025 after sales slowed. The engine details of the new bike have not yet been released, but the concept already shows a clearly sporting chassis package. It uses 43mm WP Apex upside-down forks with manual compression and rebound adjustment. At the rear, a preload- and rebound-adjustable shock works through a single-sided swingarm.

Sporting hardware, with road equipment

The front brake combines a WP four-piston radial-mount caliper with a 320mm disc and cornering ABS. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres underline the bike’s sporting intent while fitting its proposed role as an everyday road machine. The riding position is committed rather than relaxed: the footpegs are non-adjustable and set back, while the clip-ons sit just below the top yoke. A tall, clear screen adds a practical element to the otherwise aggressive layout.

KTM says the 450 RC will have lean-sensitive rider aids. Their settings are accessed through a five-inch TFT display, while the switchgear also carries cruise-control buttons. The equipment list includes USB-A and USB-C charging ports, dual-channel ABS and a Supermoto mode. That mode points to the option of allowing more movement from the rear of the motorcycle in corners, as with similar road-bike settings. A steering damper mounted above the fork tops completes the visible chassis package.

The apparent CFMoto connection

The bodywork follows KTM’s current design direction. A central headlight, small winglets and a sharply styled bolt-on subframe recall the 990 RC R. Behind the side fairing, the visible rear structure appears trellis-based. The swingarm, along with parts of the braking, suspension, wheel and bodywork packages, also resembles equipment seen on the CFMoto 450SR S.

The 450SR S uses a 449.5cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine with a claimed 60bhp at 9500rpm and 29.5lb.ft of torque at 7750rpm. KTM and CFMoto have worked together in distribution and production since 2013, while CFMoto builds the KTM 790 Duke and 790 Adventure. That relationship makes the visual and hardware similarities notable, but it does not confirm the production engine for the 450 RC. When it reaches the market, KTM’s bike will face rivals such as the Aprilia RS457, Kawasaki Ninja 500 and BMW F450RR.