Enthusiasts who seek a beginner sports bike often have to rely on the R15 , but not any longer. Soon new riders would be able to choose a beginner bike from the Austrian brand KTM. As per a slew of new reports have the brand might be planning to launch new 160 cc Duke as well as RC for the beginner segment.
KTM does not have any other 160cc bike in the segment in the international markets. Hence these new bikes would be specifically designed for the Indian Market.
While the 125 cc RC as well as Duke were inspired by the rightful need of new beginner riders the bikes were overshadowed by the presence of much more powerful and better performing R15. The formidable Cult following of the R15 moniker led the KTM’s to follow up behind.
New Duke and RC 160- What to Expect
As per the exclusive by Auto Car it has become apparent that the new 160c bike would be based on the existing 200c chassis, and would provide the users with a much more affordable companion than the superior 200 or 250 cc segment bikes.
Being based on the same design the bike would be using a similar trellis frame chassis as that of the 200cc variant and beyond that the suspension set up would be similar too. The new bikes would most probably have a pair of upside down forks with a rear monoshock at the rear.
KTM 160 Duke And RC 160 Expected Engine Specs
Since the 200 cc superior would be the blueprint for the new bike it has become apparent that the new bike would be using 200 Duke’s engines design and as per the brand it seems that the engine would produce around 19-20 Bhp. This would be significant step up from the current KTM 125 cc motor which only makes 14.5 BHP. This would help the new bike be much more powerful than that of the R15’s 18.4 Bhp power figure.
The Duke And RC 160 Against Its Competitors
| Comparison | KTM Duke /RC 160 | Yamaha R15 150 | MT-05 | Bajaj Pulsar NS160 | Yamaha Fz, F1, V4 160 | TVS Apache Rtr 160 4v |
| Engine | Na | 155cc Single Cylinder Engine | 155 cc Single Cylinder Engine | 164.82 CC Single cylinder engine | 149cc, Single Cylinder Engine | 159.7 CC Single Cylinder Engine |
| Performance | Around 18.4 Bhp Expected | 18.1 Bhp@ 10,000 Rpm/ 14.2 Nm Peak Torque @7500 Rpm | 18.1 Bhp@ 10,000 Rpm/ 14.2 Nm Peak Torque @7500 Rpm | 16.68 BHP @8750 Rpm, 14.6 Nm @ 6750 RPM | 12.2 bhp @ 7250 Rpm and 13.3 Nm @ 5500 Rpm | 17.31 Bhp @ 9250 Rpm And 14.73 Nm @ 7250 Rpm |
| Suspension | Upside down forks with A Monoshock at the rear – Expected | Upside Down Forks, (Rear)Linked Type Monocross Suspension | Upside Down Forks, (Rear)Linked Type Monocross Suspension | Telescopic, 31mm ( rear) Monoshock With Nitrox | Telescopic Fork, (Rear) 7 step Adjustable Monocross Suspension | Telescoipc Suspension upfront and Monoshcok Suspension at the rear |
| Rider Aids | Dual Channel ABS- With | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS | Single Channel ABS |
| Price -Ex Showroom | Rs- 1,84,459 | Rs 1, 70,086 | Rs- 1,22,972 | Rs 1,23,484 | Rs 1,23,669 |
No tentative launch date has been revealed by the brand, as of yet. The brand has been through profound financial troubles in the past. Beyond that the brand ran into jeopardy with its fans as its high compression engine above 700 cc showcased regular signs of bent camshafts. This led to a mushrooming of communities whose main purpose was to gain a recognition for the issue. But the long term goals of offering more affordable beginner bikes in India might help the brand survive.
Also Read: Tata Acquires This New Sweden Brand To Expands Its Presence In Europe! Details Revealed
