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KTMhas launched the 2022 RC 125 and RC 200 in India, priced at Rs 1.82 lakh and Rs 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), respectively. Get new styling and more fe
Poweringthe Gen-2 KTM RC 200 is the same 200cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. The BS6 compliant engine produces 25 PS of power and 19.2 Nm of torque, providing 156 PS of power per ton. The engine comes with a 6-speed gearbox and a curved radiator that ensures faster engine cooling.
. KTM Philippines invited us for their launch plus track day of the RC 200 on the Batangas Racing Circuit BRC last March. After the initial launch concluded, a full-on track day ensued with KTM owners and the media alike eager to try out the supersport in its natural habitat. BRC is a midsize track, unlike Clark International Speedway where you can take a break between corners, BRC was more suited to the size of the RC 200 with its slower corners and its flat-out straights. It felt like the 390 would have done better, but the 200 wasnāt too shabby either. For a first ride on the bike, KTM chose its venue pretty well to highlight all the good points of the RC 200, so here are our first impressions of the brand new EverdayRacer from the Ready to Race brand. Design We all knew going into the event how the all-new RC 200 looked like thanks to several international reveals and even an accidental one from KTM themselves. However, in-person it was a whole different story. We initially thought that the new RC 200 was a little chunky up front and a little thin in the rear, but in the metal, the bike seems well proportioned when looking at it from the front quarter. KTM still uses plastics to complete the look and reduce weight, but there are metal elements that give you a more stable feeling when you mount the super sport. For starters, weāre glad to report that the fuel tank now comes in at about 13 liters of capacity. The previous RC 200 and 390 both had a capacity of just a hair under 10 liters, which made it a bit of a challenge to take on long distances. On top of that, the tank was so much wider and now came with flares to help riders lock in their legs while cornering. Other than that, the new RC 200 got a wider front end that helped give it a more muscular appearance and serve the functional purpose of providing riders with a nice place to tuck in away from the wind blast. Tucking in, the tank also served as a nice perch for a full tuck. On top of that, you also get plenty of goodies that were previously aftermarket options in the prior RC 200s and 390s. We can expect that KTM will also include these pieces on the new RC 390 once itās introduced in the country. As such, the RC 200 comes with foldable rear brake and shifter levers which will help it resist breaking should you crash on track or should you drop the bike. Furthermore, you also get a new headlight module thatās still halogen but covers a bigger surface area. Itās not a projector anymore, but the reflector should net greater visibility due to the extra surface area. Also, the handlebars are fully adjustable allowing you to tailor your riding position, and the accommodating alcantara upholstery keeps you in place during your cornering sessions. Itās quite a shame that the RC 200 didnāt come with adjustable levers, but perhaps KTM could equip the larger-displacement 390 with them. Other than that, the modelās pretty Ready to Race from the factory, but perhaps some of the demo units on the track were more ready than others. Performance Weād have to preface this section by telling you that KTM Philippines equipped two out of the four testers with Pirelli Diablo Supercorsas, and then the other pair had the standard tires thatāll come with every RC 200. We asked KTM why did they decide to introduce a different set on the other pair, and the brandās reply was āwhy not?ā If youāre serious about racing anyway, the RC 200 will benefit from a better set of tires, but to the modelās credit, it did quite well on the stock set. Power is provided by a single-cylinder engine thatās been revised for 2022. The small thumper of a motor still produced decent amounts of power and put it down smoothly through the six-speed manual gearbox. KTM has been using this engine for quite some time now, but it still holds up when compared to other small sportbikes in the market. The 200cc single punches well in the low RPMs, but to get the most out of it, you need to rev it out to the middle of the RPM range otherwise the engine feels a little choked in the upper ranges at around 8,000 to 10,000 RPM. Still, the engine pulled well enough, but it was still a 200cc single and a rather impressive one at that with 26 hp. The bikeās WP suspension was and still is one of the gold standards in the segment. The 43mm fork tube diameter is only matched by other bigger motorcycles from competing brands. Even some 650ccs donāt go up this big in the front fork tubes. This means that the RC 200 has can be modified without changing the tubes and the bike presents a great upgrade path for serious track junkies. However, the front forks are already good out of the gate given how it managed to return feel and give us good damping on BRC, a track that is known to be a little bumpy. The rear suspension is also WP and it is a mono-shock with preload adjustment. It was equally as sublime as the front forks. The front brakes are also revised being lighter along with the rest of the chassis and the wheels themselves. KTM managed to shave a lot of unsprung and sprung weight, allowing the RC 200 to be lighter on its feet. Handling whether slow or fast is improved, and the bike turns in quickly and in a hurry. Comparatively speaking, unless youāre taking the new RC 200 to the limit, the difference between it and the outgoing RC 200 is minimal for the average rider. More experienced riders will take notice, while track veterans will feel the difference. Verdict It may seem that the RC 200 got a facelift, but all of its improvements are notably new and purposefully done. While it still has the same engine, itās a totally different motorcycle when you look at its fuel tank, chassis, and even its electronics package. KTM is also positioning this as an EveryDay racer, which is a fair position for the RC 200 to be in given how a lot of Filipinos enjoy commuting on a sporty bike quite a lot. For the price of just P198,000, the RC 200 is very competitively priced in its segment. Other motorcycles in its class may come close to the specifications of KTMās supersport, but there are added refinements and fewer compromises for you to make if you are serious about cornering fast and in a hurry. At the end of the day, the RC 200 gave us a lot of smiles per mile on the track. However, if the 200 is already this good of a motorcycle on the track, it makes us even more excited to attend the launch of the RC 390. Tagged Under KTM, review, RC 200, supersport, first ride Related Articles Latest Review
Introduction Pros Brisk acceleration, responsive handling, plush ride qualityCons Vibrations at high speeds, inconsistent front brake bite, lack of Bluetooth connectivity The KTM RC 200 has always been applauded for the engaging riding experience it delivers. Punchy acceleration and sharp handling have always been its forte. However, the previous generation model was deemed to be too frantic and uncomfortable to be used as a daily driver or even for long-distance riding. Well, that might not be the case anymore. KTM has launched the new-generation version of the RC 200 and all the changes it gets are focused on making it a more practical and versatile few days after its India launch, Bajaj invited us to ride the new RC 200 on its testing track and it felt better on almost all fronts. But the truth is most of the RC 200s will spend their lives in the city and on the highway and that calls for a comprehensive real-world test, doesnāt it? In that case, we spent a few days with the bike to find out how much more practical it is. Quality The new RC is a better put-together motorcycle as compared to its predecessor. The paint finish, the quality of plastic panels, and the robustness of nuts and bolts are all decent. However, going by the uneven gaps around the fuel tank and slightly loose panels on its tail section, we believe the RC 200 could do better in this area. Nevertheless, the new RC looks more welcoming right from the moment you lay your eyes on it. Gone is the profoundly combative and razor-sharp design and the new RC looks more mature, bigger, and more elegant. Comfort The fact that the new RC 200 is easier to live with is verified the moment you get onto its saddle. Although swinging a leg over isnāt effortless, thanks to its tall 824mm seat height. But once you saddle up, itās surprisingly more comfortable than the previous RC. The handlebar is placed higher so you donāt need to crouch ahead as much as before. KTM has also changed the design and padding of the seat which now feels suitable even for long hours of riding. However, you canāt get away with the fact that it is still a sportbike and your wrist and back start hurting a bit after a few minutes. Also, the tall seat height means shorter riders might find it difficult to tiptoe the bike in high up is the pillion seat visually, it's equally challenging to get on it. It's a struggle, to say the least. But once you manage to hop on, the RC is equally comfortable with the right amount of cushioning and space. The presence of sturdy grab rails to hold on to is a bonus. Performance The 2022 RC 200 retains the liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that makes of power and of peak torque. While the performance numbers havenāt changed, KTM has equipped the new RC with a bigger airbox for the engine to breathe more freely now. Even the radiator design is curved for better heat revisions in the engine are noticeable from the word go. It has become substantially smoother, more tractable, and less frantic now. You can do speeds of about 40-45kmph in sixth gear without the engine throwing any tantrums, which means pottering around in the city is much easier. Although the acceleration hasnāt improved drastically, the power delivery is more linear across the rev band. Until 6,000rpm, the RC 200 remains polite and humble with a mellow acceleration, but beyond that, it delights you with a quick and enjoyable pull, making it addictive to rev the bike to its redline. It can also do speeds of 100-110kmph without much stress and overtakes arenāt a task either. Even the gearbox of the RC is typical of a KTM with slick and effortless shifts. And this is accompanied by a light clutch. However, we noticed that the cogs misbehave after a long riding session and the shifts take some effort at times. And now that we are talking negatives, the presence of vibrations is another shortcoming you have to deal with. It creeps in on the footpegs and the handlebar from as low as 90kmph and persists as you go faster. A minor buzz emanates from its panels as well. One area where the RC 200 has improved by a huge margin is in terms of heat dissipation. Thanks to the revised cooling setup, even after getting stuck in traffic for several minutes, I didnāt experience any heat being dissipated on my legs. The handling of the RC 200 is as taut and sharp as ever. In fact, the new model feels more predictable and composed and inspires a lot of confidence while pushing it around corners. The steering responds with decent precision and once leaned over, it holds its line accurately, may it be taking on long sweepers or tight hairpins. While the grip from the tyres is also commendable for the most part, there is a lack of needed feedback when pushed to the edge. Surprisingly, the ride quality isn't compromised in favour of confidence-inspiring handling. The motorcycle soaks up almost everything with ease, from small potholes to ruts, from stones to manhole covers. It's only when you go fast over major undulations that the rear feels a bit RC 200 could do better with brakes though. It doesn't deliver as good stopping power as you would expect from such a performance-focused machine. The brake lever has a decent initial bite but feels inconsistent and lacking under hard braking. The rear brake, however, delivers adequate bite and feel. Technology The new RC 200 also gets a new instrument cluster, and just like most other aspects, this is better too. This is a much larger unit that shows a host of important data in a clean and easy-to-read layout. The list of parameters at your disposal includes speedometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, clock, odometer, two trip meters, fuel range, average fuel consumption, and more. It doesn't have Bluetooth connectivity though, and we think that would have made it a little more desirable. Our wish list also includes a slipper clutch, something that would have made riding it spiritedly even safer. Fuel efficiency Our fuel efficiency test, which involves riding in the city with mild traffic and on open roads, surprised us as the new RC 200 returned an admirable mileage of With its larger fuel tank, the motorcycle should deliver a range of around 590km. Verdict With the new RC 200, KTM seems to have achieved what it aimed for - to make an RC thatās almost as engaging as before while being substantially more practical. The great engine performance and incredible handling didnāt come as surprise. But what truly wowed us is the enhanced comfort, plusher ride quality, a more manageable engine character, and almost no heating from the engine. And despite all the improvements, KTM has priced the motorcycle the same as before at Rs lakh ex-showroom. To conclude, the RC 200 is ideal for those who want the excitement of a KTM without compromising much on practicality. It can handle your daily commutes, your weekend rides, and occasional long rides as well. Moreover, you can also hone your riding skills by taking it to the race by Kaustubh Gandhi
The 2022 KTM RC 200 costs the same as the previous modelShot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo IndiaThe KTM RC range of motorcycles has always been one of the most committed, track-focused bikes you could get on a budget. I mean think about it, you got a very similar chassis package to what you would get on the Moto3 spec KTM bikes. But what was its biggest strength ā posting blisteringly fast times on the track was also its biggest downfall. It was way too aggressive for the streets. The people who would buy an RC were trading off any semblance of comfort for that level of performance. Apart from this, the bike hasnāt gotten any significant updates since its launch. That is until KTM announced the 2022 RC range with slightly more relaxed ergonomics aimed to make the bike a better street bike while retaining the track-focused nature we all know and love. For India, KTM has launched the RC 125 and the RC 200 first and we got a chance to sample the RC 200 at Bajajās Chakan test track to figure out if the changes have translated to a better street bike. 2022 KTM RC 200 designThe 2022 KTM RC 200 is pretty much all-new in terms of design. Starting with the front, it gets an all-new headlamp set up, one that makes the bike resemble the original RC8. The India-spec model gets an LED unit unlike the projector units available on the international models. These headlamps are flanked by integrated DRLs, which mean that these light strips function as DRLs and turn signals. I canāt comment on the performance of the lights considering we rode the bike in bright daylight but more on that when we do a proper road test. Then there is the new windscreen which is larger and taller and does a good job of reducing wind buffeting. Continuing on the same theme thereās also an all-new fairing that has been designed for better aerodynamics and to improve cool airflow for the 2022 KTM RC 200 has an all-new front end designShot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo IndiaMoving one step behind thereās the new fuel tank which has gone up in capacity from litres to litres. Even the battery which was placed behind the triple tree clamp has now been repositioned behind the fuel tank to improve serviceability. After this, thereās the new split seat setup. The seat has a new double foam padding and right of the bat, the seat is plusher and more comfortable as compared to the outgoing bike. The added thickness has not changed the 835mm seat height and in fact, it is now easier to reach the ground because the section under the seat is considerably narrower courtesy of the new split trellis frame design. The rear section of the 2022 RC 200 is also new with a new grabrail design and shrouds that cover the familiar strip LED tail light. Apart from this, the bike also gets new, lighter wheels and a larger front brake rotor. In terms of equipment, the 2022 KTM RC 200 comes with the same amount of kit as earlier but this time around with a new LCD screen identical to the one found on the KTM 250 KTM RC 200 ride and handlingThis department is where the RC 200 has seen the most changes. Weight savings has been one of the key areas of focus while developing the 2022 bike. Instead of trying to reduce the kerb weight of the bike it is identical to the identical model at 160kg, KTM has tackled and reduced the unsprung mass of the motorcycle with lighter wheels and sprockets. The wheels which now have hollow hubs are lighter than the outgoing motorcycle. Apart from this, the Austrian marquee has also managed to shed another with the use of a lighter and bigger 320mm brake rotor which is now directly mounted on the rim via the spokes. And this has translated to a bike that is much quicker to change direction. The bike is extremely flickable and changes direction with little effort and that is saying something considering the old bike was no slouch, to begin with. KTM also claims that the new split trellis frame weighs the same as the single unit on the older bike and that they have managed to do so by improving their engineering reduced unsprung mass has translated to bike that changes direction much fasterShot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo IndiaThe next big change is the raised clip-ons. The clip-ons are now higher than before and pushed slightly towards the rider. This in addition to the comfier seat now means that the RC 200 is a much more comfortable bike than its predecessor and not at the cost of handling. The bike retains most of its sharp handling without breaking your back and that in my books is a definite win. However, should you choose to lower the handlebar back to how it was on the previous bike, you can do so. Braking performance was sharp as well with good amounts of feedback and bit and a non-intrusive ABS system. Thereās also the Supermoto ABS mode in case you want to let the rear step out just a little bit while tackling those apexes hard. The suspension setup is identical to the previous generation but KTM has managed to extract 10mm of travel from the front forks. The setup seemed extremely at home at the well-paved test track. How they will fare on the road remains to be KTM RC 200 performanceThe 2022 KTM RC 200 uses the same engine setup as the previous bike. Meaning, it is the same single-cylinder, high-compression BS6 engine that puts out a respectable at 10,000rpm and 19Nm at 8000rpm. However, whatās new is a forty per cent larger airbox and KTM claims that this has made the torque curve richer and wider especially through the midrange. And to KTMās credit, they have managed to make the mid-range more potent. You get much better drive out of the corner even if you have dropped below the powerband and this wasnāt the case with the older bike. Thereās also a new curved radiator with ten per cent more surface area. And in the short stint that I had with the bike, the radiator fan kicked on only twice when moving the bike around for the photographer. But then again that is not a proper indicator of how the bike will perform in the real world so more on that when we do a full road test of the 2022 KTM RC engine is identical to the one found on the previous bikeShot by Avdhoot A Kolhe for evo India2022 KTM RC 200 verdictThe 2022 update to the KTM RC 200 has been long overdue and the old design was starting to seem a bit long in the tooth. The new bike has been in the making for a while and I feel the wait has been worth it. Not only is the bike a lot more comfortable to live with on the daily basis, it still remains an extremely competent package to set the racetrack on fire with. It gets a comfier seat, a larger fuel tank and the reduction of the unsprung mass has made it a much easier bike for anyone to ride hard and fast, no matter the setting. All this plus the fact that KTM has launched the bike at the same ex-showroom price of Rs lakh as the outgoing model should see the 2022 RC 200 attract a wide audience. And a wide audience it definitely deserves.
ktm rc 200 test ride