BREAKING: Upcoming KTM RC 200 Spotted Testing In India, Again!
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The baby RC will undergo a comprehensive overhaul for 2021
[UPDATE: KTM has launched the 2021 RC 125 and RC 200 in India from Rs 1.82 lakh (ex-showroom) onwards. For more details about availability, specifications and other details, read this story]
While KTM has been thoroughly testing the 2021 RC 390 abroad, it seems like the testing for the smaller RC 200 is happening on Indian soil. A test mule was recently spotted, wrapped in camouflage, which looks to be the soon-to-arrive 2021 RC 200. The 2021 RC 200 was previously spotted in KTM’s plant in a production-ready avatar.
The orange badging on the engine casing and the orange trellis are dead giveaways that it is indeed a KTM. The mule features all-new styling with slimmer fairings, headlamp assembly, tail piece, grab rails, and even new minimalistic alloy wheels.
Besides, the mule features a new instrument cluster, which could be a bigger LCD display, as seen on the 250 Adventure. However, a TFT on the RC 200 is a little far-fetched, owing to cost constraints
Like the 2021 RC 390, this mule appears to have slightly relaxed ergonomics compared to the outgoing model, which should make it easier for everyday commuting. The rider appears to be sitting lower, with an awkward gap between the handlebar and the instrument cluster. We hope the final production version's design is more coherent.
What all might be the same? Everything on the inside. Since the RC 200 is already BS6-compliant, we don’t see why KTM would fiddle with the 199.5cc, single-cylinder engine that makes 25PS and 19.2Nm. A closer look at the mule reveals similar underpinnings like the USD fork and the monoshock. Also, the tail light seems unchanged. The braking set-up might undergo a rejig with new rotors and discs, but it isn’t evident from the spy shots.
The new RC 200 will be manufactured at Bajaj’s Chakan plant and it should reach our market by mid-2021. When it arrives, it is likely to cost around Rs 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom) compared to the current-gen’s Rs 2.03 lakh. While it will go up against the Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 while the Bajaj RS 200 also serves as an alternative and comes at a much lower price.
Punya Sharma