KTM seems to be working on introducing the RC125. Spy shots posted
by ZigWheels.com show the fully-faired version undergoing road testing near
Pune. The lack of camouflage hints that the bike is ready to roll off the
production line and we could hear a launch announcement very soon.
Unlike the European RC125, the Indian-spec model
features an underbelly exhaust, a feature that’s also seen in the 125 Duke.
Styling cues resemble the RC range, and like the higher displacement models
(RC200 and RC390), it features twin-pod, horizontally mounted projector
headlights, LED blinkers, LED tail lamp, full fairing and clip-on style
handlebars. It has a dual-tone paint scheme. Like the 125 Duke, it will come
with orange wheels.
Mechanical specifications would be identical to the
125 Duke, which is powered by a 124.7 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine
with fuel injection that churns out 14.5 PS at 9,250 revs and 12 Nm of peak
torque at 8,000 rpm. This BS-IV compliant engine is paired with a 6-speed
transmission.
Anchoring tasks are performed by disc brakes on both
wheels. The safety net, like in the 125 Duke, is likely to include a
single-channel ABS. Shock absorption duties would be handled by WP sourced 43
mm upside-down forks at the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear.
KTM will target the RC125 against the Yamaha YZF-R15
V3.0, and so, so expect to see a sub-INR 1.40 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag. The
KTM 125 Duke, which was launched in India at INR 1.18 lakh, recently received a
price increase, and it retails at INR 1.25 lakh now.
The BS-VI emission norms are less than a year away,
and the updated RC and Duke range would arrive in the country in early 2020. We
could see the updated models at the EICMA motorcycle show towards the end of
2019.
