KTM RC 125: Pros, Cons & Should You Buy One?

Is the newly launched baby RC worth its Rs 1.47 lakh asking price? We take a look at its pros and cons to find out

Riding on the success of the 125 Duke, KTM India has launched the RC 125. But there’s a catch - at Rs 1.47 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the baby RC does not qualify as a value-for-money offering as its older siblings. But are the premium set of components and edgy RC styling enough to warrant the price tag? We find out by looking at its pros and cons.

Also Read - KTM RC 125: Track Ride Review

Pros

It gets top-spec components like a USD fork, radial tyres

Along with the design and features, the premium underpinnings of the larger KTM RC series have also trickled down to the RC 125. This means you get the same suspension and braking setup as the RC 200, which includes a WP 43mm USD fork at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. The braking hardware consists of 300mm front and 230mm rear disc as well as a single-channel ABS. Additionally, the baby RC also comes with premium radial tyres, all of which cannot be found on any other 125cc offering in the country.  

The RC 125 is set up to handle corners well

Yes, the RC 125 does do justice to its ‘Ready To Race’ tagline. With the aforementioned components paired with flat clip-on bars, a tall seat height and rear-set footpegs, the RC 125 is as aggressive and track-focused as its older sibling - the RC 200 and RC 390. Given that this chassis was built for more power (390’s 45PS to be exact), it’s so stable around corners that one can really learn to push the RC 125 to its limits without stretching their own.

Design still looks fresh in new orange colour

There’s one cosmetic difference when compared to its siblings. Apart from the ‘125’ stickers that differentiate the baby RC, the bright new orange colour scheme makes it look quite fresh and youthful, something which cannot be said about the RC 390’s white paint which has begun to show its age.

Cons 

Aggressive riding stance will prove to be painful in city as well as on the highway

As much as the aggressive ergonomics helps the RC mince corner after corner, the same cannot be said about its day-to-day city use. Just like the other RCs, it is bound to cause some neck, wrist and back aches. 

Also Read - KTM 125 Duke: Road Test Review

The RC struggles to get beyond 95kmph.

While the RC 125 might share most of its parts with its older siblings, it gets its engine from the 125 Duke. During our track test review, we found the baby RC struggling to cross the 95kmph mark. On the flipside, this mild demeanour will not intimidate new riders. 

High asking price. 

At Rs 1.47 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the KTM RC 125 is the most expensive 125cc motorcycle by a huge margin. In comparison, its naked sibling - the KTM 125 Duke - is Rs 17,000 cheaper! Even its direct and more powerful rival - the Yamaha R15 V3 - is Rs 7,000 cheaper. Mind you, this is just an introductory offer, which means in a few months time, the RC 125 will get a price bump.

Should You Buy One? 

No. The simple reason behind this is that the more potent Yamaha R15 V3.0 is cheaper. Not to mention, the RC 125 is less practical for daily commutes and misses out on practical bits like a slipper clutch and a bigger fuel tank. The other major reason is that new riders are likely to grow out of the bike soon, which is something that cannot be said about the R15 V3.0. Not to mention, the Rs 1.47 lakh price is expected to increase in the near future since it’s an introductory offer.