Short(ish) 2022 RC 390 review.
TLDR; buy one as it made improvements over the old model beyond my wildest expectations.
Long form:
I raced the 22 RC this weekend at Round 4 of OMRRA in the Ultralightweight super sport classes of which I have spent almost all of my racing career on the old generation RC. This bike is an immense improvement over the old model and I can't exactly place my finger on where the best changes were made. The chassis is the most communicative and confidence inspiring thing I have ever ridden, previously raced an R6, 890 Duke R, RC8, 15 rc 390, 19 RC390R, 1290 SDR, Ninja 250, CB160. The feedback is so impressive that all of my brake markers were shorter by 50-100 ft depending on how aggressive I needed to be. I knew exactly what the tire was doing at all times which allowed me to push beyond what I knew possible. The aero package mixed with the increased corner speeds meant that me and my team mate were able to catch all of the Ninja 400s that raced in the wave before us and beat every single on of them. Sunday air temperatures were around 100-103F and I posted two lap times that were closing in on lap records, ULW SS was .255 seconds off a new record and in the ULW GP I was exactly .1 off a new record.
Of all the parts tested most performed flawlessly, I will be making the following changes as parts availability becomes more widespread.
MTC is a problem and a very aggressive intervention, I turn it off for every race but its annoying. Not sure I am going to change it as I like having the speedo but figured it was worth mentioning.
The factory quickshift is close to perfect but not close enough to work every time for me, which means I will be looking for an aftermarket unit. That being said, my teammate had 0 issues what so ever. This was used only for upshifts as downshifts it is 100% useless.
I am working with Moto Master to get their T drive brake rotors as both me and my team mates are in poor shape after 1 race weekend.
I will be developing an aluminum subframe as that is one of the few areas my rulebook will allow me to develop.
I will develop a front stay that is lighter, the stock one is very good but can be lighter and put the dash in a better spot for real clip ons.
Mod list
RP Exhaust, Sebimoto fairings, Driver Halo Clip ons, Rapidbike racing piggyback module, SBS DC pads, 415 drive kit from Formula 390, WP pro component shock and fork cartridge, DNA air filter, Pirelli Slicks, a few other small bolt on farkels.
TLDR; buy one as it made improvements over the old model beyond my wildest expectations.
Long form:
I raced the 22 RC this weekend at Round 4 of OMRRA in the Ultralightweight super sport classes of which I have spent almost all of my racing career on the old generation RC. This bike is an immense improvement over the old model and I can't exactly place my finger on where the best changes were made. The chassis is the most communicative and confidence inspiring thing I have ever ridden, previously raced an R6, 890 Duke R, RC8, 15 rc 390, 19 RC390R, 1290 SDR, Ninja 250, CB160. The feedback is so impressive that all of my brake markers were shorter by 50-100 ft depending on how aggressive I needed to be. I knew exactly what the tire was doing at all times which allowed me to push beyond what I knew possible. The aero package mixed with the increased corner speeds meant that me and my team mate were able to catch all of the Ninja 400s that raced in the wave before us and beat every single on of them. Sunday air temperatures were around 100-103F and I posted two lap times that were closing in on lap records, ULW SS was .255 seconds off a new record and in the ULW GP I was exactly .1 off a new record.
Of all the parts tested most performed flawlessly, I will be making the following changes as parts availability becomes more widespread.
MTC is a problem and a very aggressive intervention, I turn it off for every race but its annoying. Not sure I am going to change it as I like having the speedo but figured it was worth mentioning.
The factory quickshift is close to perfect but not close enough to work every time for me, which means I will be looking for an aftermarket unit. That being said, my teammate had 0 issues what so ever. This was used only for upshifts as downshifts it is 100% useless.
I am working with Moto Master to get their T drive brake rotors as both me and my team mates are in poor shape after 1 race weekend.
I will be developing an aluminum subframe as that is one of the few areas my rulebook will allow me to develop.
I will develop a front stay that is lighter, the stock one is very good but can be lighter and put the dash in a better spot for real clip ons.
Mod list
RP Exhaust, Sebimoto fairings, Driver Halo Clip ons, Rapidbike racing piggyback module, SBS DC pads, 415 drive kit from Formula 390, WP pro component shock and fork cartridge, DNA air filter, Pirelli Slicks, a few other small bolt on farkels.