All eyes were on KTM's new 990 RC R superbike when it debuted nearly two years ago. The brand had quasi-left the superbike arena years prior in favor of going the more naked route. Track-based motorcycles were still getting pumped out of Mattigofen, but the average street rider wasn't getting the love. Then, the 990 RC R dropped, and all that changed.
The superbike was everything that most KTM diehards had been clamoring for from the company for ages. It had a full fairing, adjustable suspension, looked mean as hell, and had a powerplant that'd keep up with many of its liter-bike competitors. But KTM's motto remains "Ready to Race," so you knew the brand had something up its sleeves. Something that'd look like a 990 RC R, but was decidedly not for the streets.
What we now have is a hotter, faster, sharper track weapon based on the street-going superbike. Say hello to the 2026 KTM 990 RC R Track, a superbike developed and ready to get you riding like Pedro Acosta. Well, at least until next year when he switches to Ducati...
"The race-derived potential of the KTM 990 RC R has already been felt on the road, but this thrilling chameleon has changed its form: the 2026 KTM 990 RC R TRACK has arrived and is a stripped-back, souped-up adrenaline monster primed for circuit use," states KTM, adding, "This machine is desperate for speed and hungry for a target."
So what sort of speed and hunger are you getting? First off, there's nothing street about this motorcycle. There are no headlights, no turn signals, no mirrors, and even no side-stand. I'm not so sure the last one is a good idea, but sure, KTM, go off. According to the brand, all that deleting, along with a host of lightweighting throughout the superbike means KTM shaved 4 pounds off the 990 RC R Track. No small feat when the motorcycle was already a featherweight.
A set of Michelin Power Slick tires put the 990 RC R Track's increased horsepower to the tarmac, though the company doesn't say how much horsepower has been gained, which is unfortunate. The standard WP Apex suspension, front and rear, has been reworked and set up to provide the rider with the most amount of grip. That said, the suspension is still fully adjustable for those who can't stop tinkering with things—that definitely doesn't describe me...
There are also now three customizable track modes with the motorcycle's display, allowing further customization, including changes to the bike's throttle response, traction control, slip adjustment, anti-wheelie mode, launch control, and its engine braking. KTM also gives you a pit limiter function so you don't break any pitlane speed limits, and the display also hosts a variety of information collected on a fast lap.
Likewise, if you buy one, you also can enter the KTM 990 RC R Cup, a cost-controlled single-make race series that allows customers to go head-to-head against one another on their motorcycles. Those already signed up, however, will get their 990 RC R Tracks first, so if you're impatient, you know what to do.
Speaking ahead of the 990 RC R Track's debut, KTM's Head of Global Marketing, Riaan Neveling, said, "The beauty of the KTM 990 RC R was the ease with which we could make only a few adjustments and have the KTM 990 RC R TRACK ready to go. Our history and achievements on the asphalt informed a lot of the KTM 990 RC R TRACK and the KTM 990 RC R range. We took on this project knowing that we wanted to send our customers’ heart rates racing as well! That was the goal and the KTM 990 RC R TRACK is our best definition of a sportbike yet. We hope to see as many of them as possible through apexes of the KTM 990 RC R CUP!"
As for price, KTM hasn't released how much the 990 RC R Track will cost you. But the standard street-going 990 RC R will set you back a cool $13,949, which isn't all that bad when you consider the competition. Likewise, KTM's statement about the 990 RC R Cup's affordability makes me believe that the company will want to keep the price attainable to the average person, and not some insane $100,000 price tag. We'll have to wait and see, but the motorcycle itself, along with its stated goals, and kit, look absolutely fabulous.
