KTM’S RC TWINS LAUNCHED
IN WHAT WAS EASILY the most anticipated motorcycles of the year, KTM launched the supersport RC 200 and RC 390 in India on 9 September. In typical Bajaj fashion, the price was the star; the 200 starts at ` 1.6 lakh while the 390 is yours beginning at ` 2.05 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. This works out to a roughly ` 25,000 premium over the naked Duke variants. While we’re yet to ride these motorcycles at the time of going to print, these are very different bikes than what they’re based on.
KTM has, by all accounts, managed to create a proper little supersport with the RC twins. Rake is sharper, thus bringing down trail and wheelbase. Front suspension travel is down by 25mm to bring it in line with the intended purpose of the motorcycle. Gearing, engine and cycle parts remain mostly unchanged, while weight is up 8kg. Considering that the bikes
KTM has listened to feedback and learned
from its experience with the Duke
are fully-faired, this is a very respectable number.
KTM has clearly listened to feedback and learned from its experience with the Dukes. Small improvements abound. There are usable heel plates for the rider, for instance. The cast shifter and rear brake pedal were prone to snapping at the slightest scrape, and thus have been replaced by forged items. The other diversions from the Duke to suit the supersport character of the bike are the rear hugger, the front fender and the different rear subframe.
Of course, the big news for India is the fact that the bike is fullyfaired, which is likely to appeal to a wider audience than the somewhat acquired taste of the Duke twins. It looks the business and has clever little touches that you’re unlikely to see elsewhere. The front cowl, for instance, is transparent, backed by black plastic. It gives a floating effect and looks neat. The aggressive-looking seat cowl at the back actually isn’t; it’s a proper pillion seat, and a comfortable one at that! Clip-ons (sort of), projector headlamps, LED DRLs and a different tank design complete the look, and it’s quite a look.
Riders report that the RC twins are more linear in their power delivery, suggesting that the engine maps may have been tweaked. For Duke owners, they’re not enough of an upgrade but for enthusiastic track-day attendees, there’s nothing else to match the new RC twins. We grew weary last year of comparisons with the Dukes because of their unbeatable value. KTM is not making our job easier.
KTM continues to offer unbeatable value-formoney this time with
its faired super sports machines