India has several 125 CC motorcycles (and scooters) from the brands that sell two-wheelers here. The reason for this seemingly saturated market segment is the high demand for 125 CC two-wheelers. One who has been riding a 100 or 110 CC motorcycle would upgrade to a 125 CC motorcycle. They won’t have the skills or the courage to handle a more powerful bike. Furthermore, most bike owners would not even bother to spend a significant amount of money on a bike.
Hence, brands in India choose to monetize this demand for 125 CC two-wheelers. KTM was no different. The clever Austrian bike brand chose to introduce the RC 125. It is a compact sports bike and this post is all about it.
Here are some things that one should know about the KTM RC 125 –
Price
All KTM bikes in India recently got price revisions. The RC 125 is now available with an average ex-showroom price of Rs. 2, 18,239*.
Variants
The compact sports bike is available from the Austrian brand in a single but fully decked-out trim.
Colours
The bike is available in two colour schemes. The names of the colour schemes are –
- Ceramic White and
- Dark Galvano
Looks
There are quite a few compact sports bikes available in India from other brands. But none can come even close to the RC 125 when one considers its looks. The latest iteration of the bike has a design language that is heavily inspired by the RC8 – a supersport bike. Sure the latest iteration of the bike has lost the razor-sharp lines of its predecessor but it is a good thing. The current iteration of the RC 125 is more aerodynamic and has a low drag coefficient. The latest generation of the motorcycle gets a neat-looking bubble-type visor.
The fairing on the motorcycle as well as the design of its fuel tank has been revised as well. KTM has replaced the twin projector headlamps of the bike with a single halogen-bulb-equipped headlamp unit. The front turn indicators are now mounted on the front fairing of the bike. The turn indicators gracefully flank the headlamp unit and to be honest, it looks amazing from afar. The Trellis subframe has been tweaked and the rear seat of the bike now offers more space and comfort.
Engine Specifications
The engine of the bike is the same 124 CC, BS6-compliant, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, single-cylinder unit. The power and torque mappings are 14.75 bhp and 12 Nm respectively. The air intake for the engine is a larger one that allows the motor to produce more low-end torque. The radiator unit has been tweaked as well and now is accompanied by two heavy-duty fans for better heat dissipation.
Onboard USPs
Other onboard unique selling points of the bike are as follows –
- An LCD instrument cluster.
- WP (APEX) inverted fork suspension for the front wheel.
- WP (APEX) monoshock suspension for the rear wheel.
- A 320 mm disc rotor for the front wheel.
- A 230 mm disc rotor for the rear wheel.
- Dual channel ABS.
- 5-spoke alloy wheels and more!
Handling
The RC 125 handles really well on the corners as well as on the straight lines. One can take this bike on short tours or use it for regular city commutes. Quick overtakes on the highway and manoeuvring through city traffic is easy for this bike.
The overall ergonomics of the bike are meant to keep the rider in an aggressive stance. Hence, a ride that stretches for more than 150 KMS would be uncomfortable. However, the presence of an adjustable handlebar and comfortable seats makes things easier.
Verdict
The KTM RC 125 is a great entry-level compact sports bike. Its steep price is justified when one considers the onboard features and the premium bike parts. Furthermore, the engine, ergonomics and handling of the bike are unmatched. Hence, anyone with plans to own a compact sports bike should choose the RC 125.
