India

KTM India will launch the RC series on September 9.

Marketed under the brand’s ‘Supersport’ category, the RC 200 and RC 390 will mark the arrival of the first fully-faired sportsbikes and will surely whip up a storm in the compact performance sports segment.

Essentially a Duke in racing avatar, the RC continues with top-notch cycle parts like the trellis frame, 300mm front and 230mm rear disc, and WP suspension, but also adds a full fairing, a new 10-litre fuel tank, projector headlamp setup, lower clip-on handlebars and revised foot-peg positions to further aid the rider in exploiting the most of the machine on track, as well as on the road of course. The rear seat is present, but at first glance, it appears to be a cowl. The RC 200 and RC 390, though identical in mechanicals and parts, will sport completely different graphics on the fairing, easily distinguishing one from the other.

The RC 200 will pack the 199.5cc four-valve single-cylinder motor with 25.5 PS at 10,000 RPM and 19.50 Nm at 8,000 RPM. It will weigh in at just 137.5 kg dry! The RC 200 is expected to have ABS as standard, so the price will be in the region of Rs 1.80 lakh (on road, Pune). We are yet to confirm if ABS is optional.

The RC 390 brings the larger 373.2cc four-valve single-cylinder motor with 43.5 PS at 9,000 RPM with 35 Nm coming in at 7,000 RPM. The 390 will weigh just 147 kg dry. With standard ABS, the RC 390 should retail for about Rs 2.30 lakh.

We will have to wait for the day of the launch in a few weeks time to find out exactly how much they will cost. However, rest assured that the bikes and their KTM Power Parts, including the Akrapovic exhaust system, are ready for launch and you won’t have to wait for too long to lay your hands on them!

Story: Jim Gorde