I was at the manufacturers show in Toronto Canada on the weekend. The KTM people had a 2016 RC390 on display. Not a lot of differences, they only seem to have graphics changes from what they could tell me. Parillaguy
Front brake caliper is different because a new disc brake at the front of 320mm over the 300mm has arrived.
Except look at the demo that actually bought these bikes in the States. We are mostly averaging around 50 years old. That doesn't sound like beginners here in the States even if that's who KTM thinks is their target market. And well the 390 isn't really a good beginner's bike anyway. It's way to big, too heavy, and too powerful for a new rider--but that's a topic for a different thread (but one that's very easy to argue, and support).
And yeah the States totally suffer Small Penis Syndrome, and over compensate with SUVs, Monster trucks and liter+ bikes, but clearly not everyone here thinks that way. BMW still sells a lot of sports cars (although yeah they do sell a lot of SUVs to SPS drivers). But the fact that it's the older folks buying these bikes might actual have some pull with putting better components on the bikes for sale in the States. They did have to fit better tires over here, but that was mostly to meet DOT standards.
But who knows, you can buy a special version of the 675 with Ohlins, and Brembos. You can buy a special version of the RSV4 with Ohlins, and Brembos. Maybe someday there will be a 390 for sale set up that way--if the demo actually is an older population. The 675 was only like $1500 more for the Ohlins/Brembo package. Would you pay an extra $1500 for a 390 that came with Ohlins forks/shocks, and honest to goodness radial Brembo masters and calipers? That's a no brainer, and if Triumph can do it why wouldn't KTM be able to do it?
One welcome change might be the mirrors shown in the link.
Bring on the RC690 and I'm there. Size doesn't matter!