Yesterday, we brought you official images of the 2022 KTM RC 390 that had been briefly revealed on the company’s international website before being taken down. Today you get to take a look at similarly leaked images of the brand-new KTM RC 125 and KTM RC 200.
- Design nearly identical to RC 390
- Both get different paint schemes
- Miss out on some KTM 390 features
2022 KTM RC 125 and RC 200: design
Like the RC 390, the bodywork is all new, with a bigger front section and a large, single headlamp. From the images we have here, it's hard to tell whether these bikes have an LED headlamp like the new 390’s, or if it is halogen –although at the price the current-gen bikes retail at, an LED is fair to expect. Flanking the headlamp are two large vertical lamps that may function as indicators on the top section and pilot lamps at the lower half.
What can be seen for sure is that the smaller RCs get the same TFT display from their bigger siblings, the 390 Duke and 2022 RC 390. If these features make it to the India-spec model, then one can expect Bluetoothconnectivity as well.
Both bikes are seen in striking black and white paint schemes with plenty of orange splashes.
2022 KTM RC 125 and RC 200: chassis
As with the 2022 KTM RC 390, the smaller bikes also get a revised chassis with a new bolt-on subframe. The majority of the main frame appears the same, but there are some changes visible in the rider seat mount area. Whether KTM has made any chassis geometry changes is not known at this moment.
The top steering triple-clamp is new, as are the clip-on handlebars. The clip-ons seem to be higher than on the current bike, which should make for a more comfortable riding position.
Although the RC 390 comes with adjustable suspension, both the 125 and the 200 have simpler looking suspension forks with no screws on top. These smaller bikes are also seen wearing the Continental ContiRoad tyres as the new RC 390, but it's quite possible that the smaller India-spec bikes will run on more cost-effective tyres from MRF, as they currently do.
Another easy-to-spot change comes in the form of the new brake discs that are mounted higher up, eliminating the need for a disc carrier.
2022 KTM RC 125 and RC 200: engine
Things appear to be more or less the same when it comes to the engine. While the bigger RC 390 will most likely get electronic rider assists, including traction control and a bi-directional quickshifter), it’s not clear if the smaller bikes will also do so.
The bikes have a new cooling system with a curved radiator and two radiator fans, one on either side. It’ll be interesting to see how effective this is in India because the sporty KTMs have always been infamous for throwing out copious amounts of heat onto the riders’ legs.
2022 KTM RC 125,RC 200 and RC 390: India launch
KTM is yet to officially unveil these bikes, but that should happen soon enough. COVID-19 has certainly thrown a massive spanner into the works for most automobile companies, especially when it comes to launch timelines. However, it's reasonable to expect that the new-gen KTM RC range will be launched in India soon, since the festive season is just around the corner.
Let us know down below what you think of the RC range’s new design philosophy.
Image Source: Yadu Kanakkaparambil
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
