Bajaj just unveiled the Pulsar SS 400 and CS 400. The excitement
around both bikes has been stupendous, but a lot of eyes are on another
brand because of this. Sharing technology aside Bajaj and KTM will
always have counterparts with each other. News is now coming in that KTM
will be launching both the RC 200 and RC 390, sometime in the middle of
2014. The launch will first take place on a global level and then be
followed by the India launch shortly after. Who knows maybe the global
launch will happen in India!
The RC series have been desperately awaited by bikers and KTM itself.
Particularly in India, there is a strong inclination towards fully
faired motorcycles. The Duke 390 and 200 have been selling well, but KTM
could stand to gain a lot more if they have the RC series. The Dukes
are minimalist, making them a lot lighter and ideal motorcycles for
supermoto and stunt riding especially with the Metzeler tyres. However,
the general want for more beef on the bike will drive KTM to launch the
RC series in India, by or before the end of the calendar year.
When asked about the space between the 390 and the big motorcycle,
Stefan Pierer, president and CEO of KTM, revealed that KTM has a 500cc
and 800cc parallel twin nearly ready to go which are likely to be put
into production in the next three years or so. This platform is also
jointly being worked on with Bajaj and is likely to be manufactured at
Bajaj’s plant in Chakan in which the Duke 200 and 390 are already being
produced. The biggest thing to watch out for will be the price of the RC
series. As both bikes are fully faired they will be more expensive.
Both the RC 200 and RC 390 could cost around Rs 25000 more than their Duke counterparts.
Recent spy shots of the RC testing emerged which confirms that KTM
will be launching the bikes in India very soon. A possible issue of the
RC may be the underbelly of the engine. The base plate of the crank-case
is also faired, so bad roads may prove to a task of treading lightly
for bikers. The Duke’s engine also revs hard and heats up a lot, so with
the full fairing riders may feel the heat even more so.
KTM may consider bringing Husqvarna and the 690 Duke here as well,
but they will be a CBU’s as the volumes won’t warrant local production.
The KTM RC 390
2014 KTM RC 390 Race Spec Front
The new KTM RC 125 may not make it to India at first
The RC 390 will share technology and yet compete with the Bajaj Pulsar SS 400
The KTM RC spied, possibly the RC 390
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