KTM RC 390 - Racing Genes

KTM has announced that the RC 250 and 250 Duke would not be a part of Indian lineup of KTM bikes, making it nearly impossible to launch by the next year. However, if the manufacturer plans to discontinue the RC200 from is stable,the addition of the bigger RC is possible at an increase in price. The bike comes with a powerful 249 cc engine producing 30.87 BHP and 24 NM of torque. It is one of the most aggressively preforming 250 cc bike, with standard 2 channel ABS for enhanced safety. The 6-speed transmission is flawless and the bike gets an ultra light 37.2 kg engine. It would have been priced around INR 1,90,000-1,95,000 if ever launched in India.

KTM RC 250 - Racing Genes

Hi Rishav,

Don't bother about RC250. Go ahead with RC390 if you really want a hard core affordable racer bike. Just check if now RC390 has come in with Slipper Clutch or not. Duke 390 already is now coming with Slipper Clutch. If you are not too particular about buying a faired motorcycle, then buy Duke 390. It is the best value for money in the segment.

Features given by KTM are absolutely far ahead of the competition while the price is much lower. Duke 390 is around 2.2 - 2.3 lakhs on road and it is faster than much costlier bikes like Yamaha YZF-R3, Kawasaki Ninja 300 and even Benelli 300.

People keep talking of quality etc. - I own KTM Duke 200 for last 3.5 years and it is totally trouble free motorcycle giving excellent performance for its price. The shine of its colour/plastic parts is intact, no rattling sounds, no rusted bolts or silencer etc. parts...No reduction in pick up and average....

Just be aware - you will be moving to a relatively expensive segment and maintaining it requires some care. But it will still be cheaper to maintain than Japanese brands in that segment. Duke 200 and Duke 390 are the best bikes you can buy in their segment and you can go ahead without too much thinking.

Beware - Duke/RC are much focussed on high performance and handling. So they have stiff suspension and it takes some effort to adjust with it. Relatively Yamaha R3, Ninja 300 and Benelli TNT 300 will all be far more comfortable. Benelli is very comfortable. But performance of Duke/RC will blow you away compared to all of them. Also KTM Duke/RC (200-390) are very lightweight bikes and hence cutting through traffic is very easy on them. Duke 390 is most practical thing you can buy.

KTM RC250 would not be launched in India. The bike is manufactured here but will not be available for sale at any of the outlet. You have to go for the KTM RC200 or the bigger KTM RC390 only. The 250 cc RC is loaded with more features than the 200, making it a good value for money product. It gets ABS, which is missing form the younger RC and produces a much more power value of 30.87 BHP and 24 NM from its liquid cooled and fuel injected motor. The bike was expected with a price tag of INR 1,95,000 but won't launch till the RC200 gets discontinued in India.

KTM RC 250 - Racing Genes

It's definitely the RC series from KTM which gets more attention from everyone. The Duke 200 gets black alloy wheels and black underpinnings, making it look a bit decent whereas the RC200 gets Orange wheels and underpinnings, making it more attractive to the eye. Also, the fully faired bikes are considered as superbikes in India whereas even a 1000 cc bike without fairing gets ignored many a times. You should definitely go for RC200 as it would serve your purpose the best way whereas others in the segment look much common and lesser attractive.

KTM RC 200 - City Performance

KTM 390 Duke come with a price tag of INR 1,93,462 in Hyderabad, which when added with the RTO fee and the insurance comes with an on-road price of INR 2,17,013. The bike can be bought from any of your nearest KTM showroom of the Bajaj showroom, whichever available. Duke 390 comes with a 373.2 cc, liquid cooled and fuel injected engine producing 43 BHP and 35 NM of torque. The engine comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox and the bike weighs 158 kg, performing extremely well within its segment. Duke 390 gets orange wheels and body frame, making it the best looking naked bike in India. The USD forks are excellent to their duties and the bike reaches a top speed of 169 kmph.

Quick Facts - KTM 390 Duke

The hype was created by some facebook users as they claimed that half of the KTM owners have passed off as they bought a KTM. The thing was an attempt to mislead the buyers and Bajaj Autos had filed a complaint regarding that also. The hype creators have apologized for their misleading and wrong information. KTM bikes are made from the best parts available in the industry and they offer a lot of value for money products. Their flagship Indian bike, RC390 comes with the most effective price tag in the industry and comes loaded with features like ABS, dual disc brakes and slipper clutch. It is even better than many of the INR 1.5 lakh more costing bikes, as they even miss on the safety measures. KTM is safe and the rider should be responsible for a better and safe driving environment, avoiding speeding in crowd or cities.

KTM RC 390 - Racing Genes

Considering all the aspects of motorbiking, the KTM RC390 would be a better option than Yamaha R3. The strongest factor for this would be the price tag, which sees a difference of INR 1.10 lakh in both the bikes. KTM RC390 produces more power from its single cylinder 373.2 cc motor, making out 43 BHP and 35 NM of torque. It comes with ABS for both wheels and dual projector headlamps, making it a better choice than the R3. Also, it comes with USD forks instead on conventional ones on the R3. On the other hand, R3 has a twin cylinder motor, making it good for long rides and comes with a bigger fuel tank also. I would suggest KTM RC390 as your new bike.

KTM RC 390 - Racing Genes

The KTM RC200 comes with a top speed of 140 kmph. The bike is powered by a 199.5 cc, 1-cylinder liquid cooled and fuel injected engine. It produces 24.6 BHP and 19.2 NM of torque. The bike comes with excellent running dynamics and shares its design with the elder RC390. It comes with a 6-speed manual transmission and would not win if raced against RS400. The basic reason is that both the bike belong to a different category. RC is a 200 cc bike whereas the RS400 is 373.2 cc bike. It can reach a top speed of 170+ kmph and would make it more fast to reach 100 kmph. The RC200 comes with a price tag of INR 1,67,000 and the price of Pulsar 400 is yet to be announced.

KTM RC 200 - City Performance

KTM 1290 SuperDuke is currently not available in India. The chances of its launch in India are good as most of the international manufactures have introduced their 1000 cc bikes in India including Suzuki, Honda and Kawasaki. KTM's SuperDuke has the best power output of all as its 1301 cc engine produces 180 BHP @ 8870 rpm and 144 NM of torque. The bike comes with a 6-speed transmission and the engine is a 2-cylinder unit. It comes with a claimed top speed of 280 kmph and comes with a weight of 189 kg, making it good in terms of power to weight ratio. The bike is expected with INR 15,00,000 price tag and a 18 liter fuel tank.

KTM 1290 Super Duke R - Unleash the Beast

Both the bikes are from totally different riding styles, making them best for their respective needs. Honda CBR250R is a great tourer, with sport biking feel and comfortable driving experience. The bike weighs 167 kg, making it quiet heavy for a 249 cc bike but also favors high speed riding. The drawback comes in the form of less sharp cornering and turning facilities. On the other hand, the RC200, being a 199.5 cc bike is quiet responsive due to its lightweight and sport oriented design. It has nothing to do with touring as track is its favorite place of riding. The seating is quiet uncomfortable for long routes, making it a short ride machine. It comes with sharp handling and cornering abilities. High speed riding, touring and decent amount of mileage is favored by CBR250R and you should only choose RC200 if you are willing to have a track ride every weekend or more often.

Quick Facts - Honda CBR250R