KTM bikes have been such segment-defining merchandise that it’s exhausting to look elsewhere to experience. They are stellar machines, Made-in-India, and attractively priced too. And with the brand new era of KTM RC the query was, how are you going to make this package deal higher? Not that there isn’t a room for enchancment however the benchmark set was already excessive. And we lastly acquired the reply with the second era KTM RC 200. It arrived sooner than we anticipated in India quickly after its world debut and comes filled with a revolutionary new design, up to date chassis, and a few weight discount. It now guarantees to be nearly as good on the highway as it’s for the occasional monitor outing. Does it ship although? let’s discover out.
Read additionally: 2022 KTM RC 200, KTM RC 125 Launched in India
See: 2022 KTM RC 200 First Ride Review
The new entrance design is dramatically totally different however is personally likable. It additionally feels extra like a constructed and prepared motorbike than earlier than
design
The 2022 KTM RC 200 is so dramatically totally different from its predecessor that it polarized fans. Whether you appreciated it within the footage or not, we should say it appears to be like quite a bit higher in particular person. The new styling is extra concerning the trickling operate of the KTM RC 16 MotoGP machine. The distinctive twin-projector headlamps and razor-sharp entrance fairing have been changed with a flatter entrance. The LED headlamps are new and wider than earlier than and combine daytime working lights and indicators as effectively. The windscreen can be wider for higher wind safety. In reality, the brand new design delivers higher aerodynamic effectivity with a lot of flat surfaces that assist scale back drag and enhance high pace.
The uncovered rear subframe is difficult to disregard, whereas the revised fairing 158mm . Makes for higher floor clearance
The visor additionally will get new rearview mirrors which at the moment are foldable and wider, permitting a greater view of the rear, one thing that was sorely lacking within the Gen 1 bike. The two-part fairing has been utterly redesigned and now actively redirects chilly air towards the rider’s ft whereas deflecting scorching air. It additionally will get a brand new curved radiator for higher cooling. On the monitor, it labored easily, however an actual take a look at on the traffic-prone streets of town would give a real image of warmth dissipation. The new RC 200 additionally will get a redesigned rear part with new LED taillight and minimal bodywork that highlights that new subframe.
The gasoline tank is huge and holds 13.7 liters, 4 liters extra. The two-part fairing can be simpler to take away than earlier than
weight financial savings
The main replace to the 2022 KTM RC 200 comes within the type of an up to date chassis. KTM has added a redesigned subframe much like the one launched on the KTM 390 Duke in 2017. This has helped scale back the load on the bike by round 1.5 kg with lighter sprockets, new and more durable plastic panels and even lighter wheels. In reality, five-spoke alloys use a brand new alloy mixture for added hardness and at the moment are much less prone to break on a nasty pit. Now the entrance brake can be mounted straight on the wheel for extra weight financial savings. All these adjustments assist the RC 200 to cut back the load by round 3.3 kg compared to its predecessor.
Now KTM has successfully utilized the light-weight by rising the gasoline tank capability on the motorbike. The bike now packs a 13.7-litre unit, which is sort of 4 liters greater than earlier than. The new steel tank not solely makes for fewer stops between refills, but additionally makes the entrance of the bike heavier, which helps with dealing with. As a end result, the curb weight stays the identical at 160 kg with a weight ratio of 154 bhp/tonne. The battery and airbox have additionally moved from the entrance of the gasoline tank cowl to the mid-thighs of the rider. KTM says that is more practical packaging from a service standpoint.
The seats immediately really feel extra snug, with double-padded foam. it ought to have at all times been set-up
Ergonomics
The driving posture of the brand new RC 200 is much less devoted than earlier than and one thing that a whole lot of highway customers will recognize. The handlebar has been raised by 15mm, which creates barely relaxed ergonomics, regardless that the rear footpegs stay the identical. It remains to be as devoted as earlier than however will now change into much less cumbersome whereas driving within the metropolis. You can nonetheless decrease it for a extra devoted forex. The bike additionally will get new seats with double-padded foam in Alcantara-like materials, and this immediately makes the RC extra snug to experience.
The saddle peak is identical at 835mm however the gasoline tank house is narrower, so you’ll be able to put your ft down with ease. The floor is smoother than ever that can assist you grip the floor higher. The bike additionally will get new seize rails that combine extra seamlessly.
The digital console has been carried over from the 250 Adventure. For these in search of a TFT display screen the RC 390 . should wait
instrument console
The instrument console is the acquainted LCD unit we have seen on the 250 Adventure. It is precisely the identical unit and carries all of the options of that variant. You maintain getting instantaneous gasoline effectivity, gear indicator, shift gentle, ABS management, speedometer and tachometer and lots of different telltale lights. Those anticipating a TFT display screen might be disenchanted, although it’s reserved for the upcoming RC 390.
The new RC 200 makes use of the identical engine and gearbox mixture. Power and torque figures stay the identical and so do gearbox ratios
Display
And all these adjustments are mixed with a well-known engine and gearbox mixture. The 199.5 cc engine, the liquid-cooled engine stays unchanged for India and continues to make 24.6 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 19.2 Nm of peak torque at 8,000 rpm. The 6-speed gearbox additionally stays unchanged with the identical ratio. But the most important replace is the larger airbox which permits 40 p.c extra air to be delivered to the engine. This makes for a linear torque curve and clean energy supply, whereas gasoline effectivity must also enhance.
Turn the engine on and the RC 200 feels extra alike—however totally different. The throttle response is clean and the bike is way more snug to experience with the modified Ergos. The gear shifts are as modern as earlier than, and the driving posture is much less aggressive, which might be a boon for brand spanking new riders. The RC 200 nonetheless likes to be revved up and you’ll nonetheless harness all the facility on the high finish of the rev band. This is a motorcycle that means that you can extra simply discover your limits on the peak of the facility band and emerges as fairly satisfying to experience.
The new chassis is extra versatile than earlier than and instantly extra predictable to experience
dealing with and braking
Handling is additional improved due to a lighter chassis which can be extra versatile. Direction adjustments really feel fast and seamless and you’re accountable for the enter with ease. KTM continues to supply top-notch {hardware} with USD entrance forks and a pre-load adjustable monoshock coming from WP. The ahead journey has been improved by 10 mm to additional support in experience consolation.
The RC 200 is a quick motorbike and the experience consolation has not been a dramatic plus however it appears to have remained greater than earlier than. The heavy nature of the entrance additionally makes it extra suited to a nook dive. KTM has additionally added a bigger 320 mm disc on the entrance of the RC 200, which ought to have given higher suggestions however nonetheless lacks on the levers. It comes with dual-channel ABS with Supermoto mode, however the extra aggressive chew on the levers is far missed.
The new RC 200 emerges as a well-packaged providing to get rid of swallowing issues from its predecessor whereas sustaining its sturdy swimsuit.
Price and Verdict
Thanks to a extra snug driving posture and seat, the brand new RC 200 has change into extra enticing than ever. This is one thing that almost all riders will recognize on a day-to-day foundation. It additionally seems to be a greater completed motorbike and is value your cash. And it ought to be, as you’re paying ₹ 2.09 lakh (ex-showroom), which is identical because the Gen 1 variant. Of course, that is early hen pricing and we anticipate it to rise to round ₹8,000-10,000 in a number of months from now. It’s nonetheless costlier than the comparable full-fair 250, however actually feels extra satisfying to experience.
The KTM RC 200 by no means dared to please everybody which is why it stood out through the years. The new model simply builds on the identical ethos, however seems like an act of selecting a extra mature product. For these simply beginning a school or skilled profession, and in search of a motorcycle that is actually enjoyable, the RC 200 is a wonderful package deal that is even higher now.
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Photography: Pawan Dagiya
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With inputs from NDTV
