We’d reported earlier this month that the KTM RC 125 is set to launch in the last week of June, with deliveries starting in July. Now, we’ve learnt from sources that the baby RC will be available in a new black and orange colour scheme. The RC 125 spied testing was of a different colour scheme and so we believe that the bike will be launched with more than one colour option.
The RC 125 has been on sale in international markets for a while now, and it’s making its way to India after the launch of its naked counterpart, the 125 Duke. KTM has used this approach with its other motorcycles in India as well, with the fully faired RC 200, and RC 390 debuting in India after the 200 Duke and 390 Duke, respectively. While the RC 125 will be largely similar to the international-spec model, it is expected to feature some tweaks. The bike seen testing featured an underbelly exhaust and not a side-mounted unit like the international model. The India-spec model also features a rear tyre hugger, along with the mandatory saree guard.
The RC 125 and 125 Duke are likely to share much of their mechanicals – like the 124.7cc, single-cylinder, DOHC, liquid-cooled motor that produces 14.5hp and 12Nm of torque. It’s also likely that it will use the same suspension setup and brakes as its naked counterpart. And if that’s the case, it is bound to miss out on dual-channel ABS and get a single-channel system instead.
The 125 Duke was launched at an introductory price of Rs 1.18 lakh, but has had its price hiked twice, since. It now costs Rs 1.30 lakh, and if KTM follows a pricing strategy similar to what it did with the Duke 200 and it’s faired version, the RC 200, the RC 125 will be priced around Rs 28,000 more than its naked sibling, taking the price to around the Rs 1.55-1.60 lakh mark. However, considering the fact that the more powerful Yamaha R15 V3.0 costs Rs 1.39 lakh, the manufacturer might choose to price the RC 125 more competitively. We’ll find out soon enough.
(All prices, ex-showroom, Delhi)
Ved Janve
Azaman Chothia
