KTM RC 200: Same Price Other Options

Here’s what else you could get for the price of a KTM RC 200

You can’t go wrong with the KTM RC 200, especially if you are someone looking to hone their riding skills with an entry-level supersport. However, it’s track-focussed ergonomics, paired with a stiff ride, tends to work against its favour. This makes the fully-faired 200cc more ideal for the weekends when you’re in the mood to carve some corners rather that a daily commuter. So, if the KTM RC 200 isn’t the bike for you, you could take a look at a couple of other options around the same price bracket that make a compelling case for themselves. Starting with the..

Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 - Rs 1.70 lakh

The Gixxer SF 250 is the latest offering in the sub-Rs 2 lakh motorcycle segment. While it isn’t as frantic as the RC 200, it has enough power on tap for quick overtakes and a stress-free ride on the highways. Interestingly, the bike features a unique oil-cooling system which strays away from conventional air-cooling fins. Moreover, compared to the RC 200’s aggressive riding posture, the Gixxer SF 250 offers a fairly relaxed ride with just the right amount of lean towards the handlebars.  What the bike also has going for it is its feature list which includes a full LED headlight, brushed finished alloy wheels, dual-channel ABS, a twin muffler exhaust and a digital instrument console with bold readouts. However, it falls behind in terms of premium mechanicals as it misses out on an upside-down fork, a radially mounted front caliper and bigger disc brakes. That said, you get to save Rs 20,000 over the KTM RC 200, which could invest in some riding gear. 

Jawa Dual-channel ABS - Rs 1.72 lakh

If you’re into cruising, you could consider the latest offering in the modern classic segment - the Jawa. Granted, it doesn't stand a chance against the RC 200 in terms of performance and features, but it brings something really special to the table. And that’s its retro charm! Besides, it does manage to extract more performance compared to its arch-rival, the Royal Enfield Classic 350, while being more refined. The Jawa offers a comfortable ride, a sweet-looking engine and the opportunity to join a massive cult following. It’s  Rs 18,000 cheaper than the RC 200, and you also have the option to choose from a single and dual-channel ABS setup. However, we’d suggest you opt for the latter for better braking performance. All things considered, we would only suggest the Jawa if you are willing to wait for at least a year to get your hands on one.

Bajaj Dominar 400 - Rs 1.74 lakh

Bajaj as a brand is known to offer exciting bikes that don’t drill a hole in your pocket. The Dominar 400, for instance, has always been a value for money proposition, and for 2019, it gets more features, more power and some cosmetic changes to keep it looking fresh. To delve into details, the bike now features a premium upside fork, produces 40PS of power compared to the previous 35PS, gets a double barrel exhaust and dual-tone alloy wheels. The instrumentation has also been revised with both consoles displaying loads of information. That said, reading the tank mounted unit can be a little distracting as it requires you to take your eyes off the road. The best part is that all the aforementioned updates come at a premium of just around Rs 11,000 over the outgoing model. You could also use the Rs 16,000 you save over the price of the RC 200 for some touring accessories. 

Royal Enfield Himalayan - Rs 1.80 lakh

If you’re an adventure junkie on a budget, it can’t get any better than the Himalayan, at least around this price bracket. It gets a decent set of hardware and a torquey motor that’s perfect for light off-roading. To put things into perspective, the Himalayan comes equipped with a tall windscreen, long-travel suspension, 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wheels, dual-purpose tyres and an upswept exhaust for better water wading capabilities. Other than this, you get one of the most comfortable saddles in the market that will help you munch many miles without any trouble. You could also install a pair of panniers if you love touring. On the downside though, it doesn’t get switchable ABS, which means less control over the rear wheel while off-roading. Also, it makes less power than the KTM RC 200 and won’t be able to maintain the same kind of highway speeds. 

22Kymco X-Town 300i: Around Rs 1.85 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)

How about a proper maxi-scooter for the price of a bike? While the brand introduced the scooter at Rs 2.30 lakh (on-road) in India, we expect it to carry an ex-showroom price of around Rs 1.85 lakh when it’s officially launched in September 2019. So why would we suggest a scooter over a bike? Well, it’s more practical and packs a punch! The X-Town 300i offers 24.5PS of power and 25Nm of torque which is on par with the KTM RC 200. Apart from this, you get plenty of storage space, a USB charging port, bigger 12.5-litre fuel tank, comfortable ergonomics and dual-channel ABS. The maxi-scooter also benefits from Kymco’s smartphone connectivity feature called the Noodoe which enables the rider to view call notifications, message alerts, check the last parked location and a lot more on the scooters instrument console!