KTM RC200

Once you get used to having scotch on the rocks, having it any other way just dilutes the taste. That’s the same way I felt when I hopped onto the RC200. This is the smaller version of the 390, and is propelled by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 200cc motor that makes 25bhp. Visually, it looks similar to the 390, except for the black decals that cover the 200’s fairing.

It uses the same trellis frame and brakes as the 390. Since the RC200 caters to the budget end of the market, ABS has been given a skip. The bar-end weights have also disappeared, and the Metzelers have been replaced with the MRFs. They’re quite good, actually.

On the move, you notice that the 200 is much sober compared to the 390. It’s just as agile, but you do miss those extra 19 ponies. Their absence is pretty evident.

In isolation, the RC200 is an impressive bike. It’ll be more city friendly than the RC390. Best of all, it fits right into the budget of people looking to upgrade from their Yamaha R15s. At an asking price of `1.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Mumbai), we think the RC200 makes a strong case for itself.