Earlier this August, KTM released some details and pictures of its 2022 RC line-up. including the RC390, RC 200 and RC 125 bikes. Now it has created a lot of buzz online because, although the bike had a real hut to ride previous iterations. these new generation motorcycles promise to get better after getting some fair amount of upgrades. Now the first bike we got from that new lot is the new Second-Gen 2022 KTM RC 200. So without further ado, we’ll know directly what those upgrades are, and of course, what it’s like to ride the new generation of supersport.
Let’s start with the features of the new 2022 RC 200 model and that new front end. Now with the new headlamp unit the whole design of the front, the whole housing and even the light setup itself has changed.
It’s inspired by KTM’s GP bike and it’s much wider, more flattering and some might say it’s not as aggressive as it used to be. The windscreen is much larger now, and it has got a new all-LED light setup with vertically integrated indicator light.
To me, everything in the front point-up looks pretty much the same, in fact it looks like the bike has matured, in its second-genre incarnation, which isn’t a bad thing. Agree or disagree, more importantly, this new front end comes with extra functionality – this new windscreen provides better air protection when you give it beans.
The wheels are also brand new. They also weigh lighter and with KTM wheel spacers removed while the size of the front disc brakes increased by 20mm, the front end feels much lighter than before. Although the carb weight of the second-gen RC 200 is the same as the older model, the weight savings have reduced the overall weight of the new bike overall and make it feel a bit more agile.
Other changes include the WP Apex front fork suspension unit which now has 10mm more travel, curved radiators and all new side panels, designed to dissipate much better heat than before and some new decals. The bike looks great in profile, but the best part is that there are also functional aspects to this design. The LCD instrument cluster is taken from the KTM 250 Adventure and reads all the important information you need, but the Bluetooth connection can be found here, which can leave a somewhat short-lived feeling considering the 2 lakh plus price tag. Also, the RC 200 comes with Supermoto ABS, KTM’s dual-channel ABS that lets you turn off rear-wheel ABS if you don’t mind the occasion.
Its fast-growing 200cc engine has always made the RC 200 a thorough, fun bike, and maintains this legacy of 2022 RC 200 performance. It gets the same BS-VI engine that was featured in the previous model. The liquid-cooled single-pot still produces 25PS at 10,000rpm and 19.2NM at 8,000rpm, which is remarkable considering the weight of this motorcycle is only 160kg. The new RC weighs the same as the older model, so the impressive power-to-weight figure is 156PS / ton. There’s no ride mode or quickshifter or that, yet, the free reviving nature of the moment you start the journey makes you want to delete every bit of engine performance and it won’t take long for you to expand. Smile at other road vehicles with your mirror after your helmet. The gen-2 RC 200 gets a larger airbox that delivers healthier mid-range torque delivery, but we need to test the bike with our equipment for clarity on how much difference this new part actually makes.
The new updates to the RC 200 are pretty clear off the track. The new clip-on bars, which are in the highest setting of the stock, will keep you on a less aggressive riding stance than before. This translates to removing some weight from the palm of your hand and in addition, it should ride this bike on a daily basis, much more comfortable and easy to live on the road, but the best part of this new handlebar setup is if and when you take this bike on track, The bars can be lowered and moved inwards which changes the ergonomics and puts you in a more committed riding position.
When you lower your head, pull yourself up and tear it straight You will realize how the large screen in front creates a smooth flow of air up and down. And when you get to the corner quickly, the mid-section of the bike, which is narrower than before with the bolt-on subframe, lets you get a better grip on the tank with your knees and it gives me some extra room to move around my body position, and a little Lean on inheriting quick turns.
The response from the front edge is great, and just like before, it weighs nicely when pressed at an angle in motion. Even the new light weight wheel lets you turn much faster. Now I must admit that after the first few times I tried to test the bike and my own limits, after riding a flat on the track and riding the updated RC 200, it should be said that the bike seems very forgiving you make a mistake to go to a fast corner Should be. The new bike gives you a little more space to change yourself while quickly changing direction, which is great! The way the bike holds its line, how the suspension is set up, the MRF tires with their grip level, everything comes together very nicely. Overall KTM doesn’t seem to have dialed in terms of performance with the latest RC 200, just now, the bike is much more comfortable to ride and you also have the option to set up the bike. More aggressive ride out on the track.
The cushioning has doubled for both the rider and the Pillion seat design, newer and more important. Now I can prove it, which makes it much more comfortable for a long time in the gin. Also the Pelion seat is flatter than before, and with it a new grab handle design means that you shouldn’t have a stranger sitting on the back of the bike when you drop the anchor.
Now if there’s one aspect of the latest RC 200 that I’m not too impressed with, it’s the front disc bite. The disc has grown to a size of 20mm and works fine with the ABS setup, but I’m still expecting some good responsive bites from the front disc.
Now the updates and upgrades have taken the RC 200K one step further in terms of offers. But still, with these tires, brakes and suspension, there is still some room for improvement. And that’s where the 2022 RC 390 should come in and steal the show. Now this is the discussion for another time, when we get our hands on that bike. The KTM 2022 RC 200 has been launched in the former Delhi for Rs 2.09 lakh, which means that the MY 2022 models are priced almost the same as the older models. This means that the RC 200 now offers more at the same price. Which is great, right! Overall, the new-gen 2022 RC 200 comes as a more mature sports-centric motorcycle that can still be fast, nimble and fun, with just a dash of more subtlety and extra comfort.
