2026 KTM 990 RC R Track First Look: 10 Fast Facts; 36 Photos

Nic de Sena

March 12, 2026

2026 KTM 990 RC R Track First Look: 10 Fast Facts; 36 Photos

KTM is expanding its 990 RC R supersport range with the 2026 990 RC R Track, a non-street-legal, circuit-only variant built for track days and competition. Priced above the standard 990 RC R and available through authorized KTM dealerships, the Track edition sheds roughly 30.8 pounds compared to its road-going counterpart.

It arrives in a single colorway configured for riders to add their own graphics or sponsor decals, and it can be campaigned in the new KTM 990 RC R Cup, a six-round single-make European series launching this year. As the KTM 990 RC R platform was conceived with FIM Next Generation Supersport rules in mind, we hope to see 990 RC R’s battling in the FIM World Supersport and AMA MotoAmerica Supersport championships in the future. This, however, is the ultimate track-day and club-race version, according to KTM USA staff.

At $16,499, the 2026 KTM 990 RC R Track is something of a bargain for a closed-course-ready motorcycle. There is no denying that $16.5K is a serious chunk of change. However, when we let the numbers simmer, the Track variant starts to look quite appealing, if all you care about is spinning laps. Coming in at a $2500 premium over the standard model, the Track version strips all road-legal-necessary parts, saving you loads of time and effort in the garage. Additionally, the various changes over the street-legal model would vastly exceed that $2.5K threshold. The Track’s parts list includes race bodywork, updated clip-on handlebars, a full Akrapovič exhaust system, revised gearbox ratios, a model-specific dash, updated suspension valving and springs, and much more.

The 990 RC R Track is powered by the torquey 947cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC parallel-twin engine from the standard model, with some big upgrades. Additional power and torque come from the Akrapovič Evolution Line stainless-steel exhaust system, fitted as standard. The exhaust alone reduces the bike’s overall weight by more than 6.6 pounds. Fueling is handled by a Bosch ride-by-wire EMS feeding 46mm Dell’Orto throttle bodies, and the compression ratio still sits at 13.5:1. Ratios in the six-speed gearbox have been revised from the street version. First gear is longer to improve corner exits and race starts, while sixth gear is shorter to expand the usable rev range at speed. A race-specification X-ring 520 chain replaces the standard unit. The bike measures its static noise output at 98.2 dB, which KTM states should permit entry at most circuits.

The electronics package on the Track has been rebuilt for circuit-only use. ABS, cruise control, the connectivity unit, and the road-oriented ride mode structure from the standard 990 RC R are removed for this Ready To Race machine. In their place, a track-tuned suite will greet customers with IMU-supported traction control, wheelie control, and engine braking — all adjustable. The up/down quickshifter is also standard.

A utilitarian 4.2-inch landscape TFT display replaces the 8.8-inch unit on the street model. As pretty as the dash is on the 990 RC R and 990 Duke R’s, it isn’t necessary for racing. The smaller 4.2 dash, borrowed from the brand’s 2026+ dual-sport line, features anti-glare, anti-fingerprint, and anti-reflective coatings. The interface can switch between a full data layout and a stripped-down view, prioritizing gear position and the tach. The switchgear layout is also simplified. The horn and high-beam switches are gone, replaced by controls for the lap timer, TC adjustment, and a start button in place of the key tumbler. That also allowed the wiring harness to be trimmed down, contributing an additional 4.4 pounds in weight savings.

The chassis is shared with the standard 990 RC R, using the same chromoly steel frame, with the engine as a stressed member, an aluminum subframe, and an aluminum swingarm. The weight distribution is held at 52.5/47.5 front/rear. The 24.2-degree steering head angle has a 33 mm triple clamp offset, resulting in 98.5mm of trail. The wheelbase measures 1,481mm (58.3 inches). An adjustable steering damper with a ±3mm adjustment range and a 49mm stroke is fitted as standard on the Track, a standard feature not offered on the base model.

Suspension is handled by WP, with an Apex 48 mm open-cartridge inverted fork and a WP Apex shock. The fully adjustable suspension units are from the 990 RC R, but they’ve been slightly reworked for a track-focused application. The fork gets a track-ready shim stack and updated damping settings. Meanwhile, the shock spring and damping rates are higher than on the stock bike.

Braking hardware carries over from the 990 RC R. Dual 320mm floating front discs gripped by radially mounted Brembo HyPure four-piston calipers, and a single 240mm Galfer rear disc with a single-piston caliper. What changes is the hydraulic circuit itself: with the ABS modulator removed, the brake lines run directly from the Brembo master cylinders to the calipers. Remember, there’s no ABS, so you get a pure feel from the master cylinder directly to the caliper.

The ergonomic layout is thoroughly reworked. The seat height rises to 33.7 inches and uses a flatter-profile perch than the street model. Traditional low-mount clip-on handlebars replace the standard bike’s riser clip-ons. They serve a track-oriented purpose; sitting 10mm lower on the triple clamp and angled three degrees downward, they bias rider weight forward and increase front-end feel. Gilles footpegs are relocated 25mm rearward and 17mm higher than the standard position, with a total adjustment range of 34mm in height and 14mm in width. The gear shifter linkage can be reversed for GP-style shifting with a single screw change. The 4.1-gallon fuel tank remains as is. That’s not a bad thing, as it’s a proven anchoring point when braking or leaning over.

The fairing uses color-injected molded plastic rather than painted bodywork, exactly like off-road bodywork. In short, this stuff is durable, and that’s always a good thing on a bike built for battle. There are a few additional tweaks compared to the stocker. Namely, the belly pan, front mask, and seat sections are revised for easier installation and removal — that’s handy because you’ll be servicing a race bike far more often than a road bike. The windscreen is raised by one inch compared to the street version, reducing wind drag on the rider. Standard equipment includes a brake lever guard, a quick-release fuel cap, a carbon sprocket cover, a rear stand, and rear stand swingarm adapters. The wet-weather taillight is retained as the sole lighting component.

The six-round KTM 990 RC R Cup starts up on April 23. Head on over to the Almería Circuit in Spain if you want to see the 2026 KTM 990 RC R Track in action before you buy one.

2026 KTM 990 RC R Track Specs

ENGINE

Type: LC8c Parallel twin
Displacement: 947cc
Bore x stroke: 92.5 x 70.4mm
Maximum power: 133 horsepower @ 10,000 rpm
Maximum torque: 77 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm
Compression ratio: 13.5:1
Valvetrain: DOHC; 4 vpc
Ignition: Ride-by-wire Bosch EMS
Fueling: DKK Dell’Orto w 46mm throttle body
Lubrication: Pressure lubrication w/ 2 oil pumps
Cooling: Liquid and oil
Exhaust system: Akrapovič Evolution Line stainless steel
Sound output: 98.2 dB
Transmission: 6-speed w/ quickshifter
Clutch: Wet multiplate w/ assist and slipper functions
Final drive: 520 X-ring chain

CHASSIS

Frame: Chromoly steel
Subframe: Aluminum
Handlebar: Tapered aluminum
Front suspension; travel: Fully adjustable WP Apex 48mm open-cartridge fork; 5.8 inches
Rear suspension; travel: Linkage-assisted, fully adjustable WP Apex shock; 5.3 inches
Wheels: Cast aluminum
Front wheel: 17 x 3.50
Rear wheel: 17 x 5.50
Tires: Michelin Power Slick 2
Front tire: 120/70-17
Rear tire: 180/55-17
Front brakes: 320mm discs w/ radially mounted Brembo HyPure calipers and adjustable Brembo MCS master cylinder
Rear brake: 240mm Galfer disc w/ Brembo single-piston caliper
ABS: Standard