KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

[s1d]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

I have been riding my babe since Feb 2015 (23k kms). It seems like both front and rear tires are staring at their last day! :P I am planning to change them with Michelin pilot sporty 140/70 and 110/70. The present tyre specification for rear one is 150/60. But, I have read many blogs which have recommended Michelin 140/70 (I understand that those are old blogs and 150/60 tires are recently launched by Michelin). Anybody using Michelins? Any suggestions??

Also, the online prices (in amazon and snapdeal) looks cheaper than the prices I got to know from the tyre shops? Anybody from Bangalore using Michelin? Could you please let me know if there are any shops in Bangalore selling it below 5K?

I would rather suggest you go in for the MRF FC1 and C1 (front and rear respectively). They are much cheaper than the michelins and very good tires as well in terms of grip. These are the 'newer' range from mrf (compared to the earlier mrf revz fc and c) and the current ktm 200's come shod with these tires.
The MRF's cost around 2700rs for front and 3800 for the rear, while the michelin (radials) cost around 4200rs & 6000rs respectively.
Remember michelin also has non radial tires in the 140 size and these are much cheaper than the radials.
Don't be fooled by the price of mrf, it's a very good tire (one drawback being it could be puncture prone if ridden on bad roads, the michelin on the other hand seems more puncture resistant)

I own a d200, and had used the stock mrf rear(i.e. mrf revz c) for around 14k km (had to discard the tire due to a huge unrepairable puncture.. the 4th puncture). I replaced it with a michelin 150/60 pilot street radial an year ago, and to date have clocked 11000km on it without a single puncture and the tire life seems to be pretty good (definitely will last a bit longer than the soft mrf's). I'd say go for the michelin if you tour a lot (like i do), i found the ride comfort a bit better and as i said earlier, very puncture 'proof'
Grip wise i feel the mrf is stickier.
I am shortly going to change the front, and will go for the mrf fc1 or the mrf fc(older one) -- one of THE best front tire in the 110/70 size !!

One of the reasons for the higher prices for the michelin radials is that they are imported. The non radial ones (i.e. michelin pilot sport iirc) are locally manufactured (by tvs iirc) and cost much lesser.. and this is available in 140/70 and not in 150/60.

[nischalpuri]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Hi Everyone, I am new to xBhp. Although I am reading the forums from long, but have only recently joined as a member.

I got my KTM RC 200 in October 2016. I must share what made me select the bike.

Well.. I relocated to Mumbai from Delhi for a job recently. What I thought while coming was to buy a second hand car for regular commutes and weekend travels. But as soon as I joined and met my colleagues, I got too much motivated to go for a good bike. My boss uses a HD Fatboy and another close colleague uses Duke 390. So I thought, why not go for a good bike instead.

Then I fixed my budget around 2 lakhs and started considering my options. I am not a fan of cruiser bikes hence RE was out of the list (though I was told that I would look good on an RE as I am 6 feet tall)

So I shortlisted the following bikes:

CBR 250R: I was in favor of getting the CBR as I liked ABS feature that would provide me good safety while riding on Indian roads. But when I asked my colleagues, they asked me not to buy it as it is old and nowhere in close to the new bikes like KTMs etc. I too found its styling as boring and hence it was ruled out. (I am still not sure whether it was the right thing or not)

Yamaha R15: Its a nice bike, and could save me a lot of money, but since I had Pulsar 150 since the last 10 years in Delhi, I thought that a 150cc bike would not sound like an upgrade to me. Only change would be the seating position so I ruled that out in the initial stages itself.

RC/Duke 390: I visited the KTM showroom looking for the right choice between RC and Duke 390. I could not test ride them on the first visit and hence I only got the feel of sitting on both the bikes. I must agree that the seating position on the RC felt me surprised that how can I ride this bike, but also a feeling of excitement that this could be my next bike. During all this, my wife pointed out that the black RC looked much better. But I ignored saying that it is RC 200 and I am here for RC 390.

After coming back to my home, I went through a lot of reviews about RC 390. I felt that I could somehow manage riding RC series since I played some sports earlier and can handle awkward postures. However, the problems of engine heating in the city and long gears took me away from my choice. I also thought that I may also not justify the RC 390 power in the city rides. Then I thought why not RC 200 and went for a test ride of RC and Duke 200.

I went for RC 200 first and as soon as I sat on the bike and took it for the first spin, I loved everything from the seating position, its handling, throttle response etc. I could easily ride it at 25 kmph on the 3rd gear and thought this could also serve me in the city traffic. Then for the sake of it I also had a test ride of Duke 200. But as soon as I sat on it, I was like WTH.. I feel so cramped. My knees touched the tack body and I could not find a comfortable position to ride. hence I decided to go for the RC 200.

Booked the RC 200 and got it within a week. Have only 300 on the ODO since I have not got a permanent registration till now and have rode it only in Navi Mumbai.

Now, I take my bike to office daily and just wait for the office to end just to have a ride of the beauty. I use dashboard cleaner to clean it every week and am also looking to get the windshield tainted, as its very difficult to clean it from inside and it looks BAAADDD...

Will share some photographs soon..

[prithvikamayya]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Hi guys,

I have been riding my babe since Feb 2015 (23k kms). It seems like both front and rear tires are staring at their last day! :P I am planning to change them with Michelin pilot sporty 140/70 and 110/70. The present tyre specification for rear one is 150/60. But, I have read many blogs which have recommended Michelin 140/70 (I understand that those are old blogs and 150/60 tires are recently launched by Michelin). Anybody using Michelins? Any suggestions??


Also, the online prices (in amazon and snapdeal) looks cheaper than the prices I got to know from the tyre shops? Anybody from Bangalore using Michelin? Could you please let me know if there are any shops in Bangalore selling it below 5K?


Thank you in advance!!

[prithvikamayya]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Had my first crash today when a motorcyclist decided to suddenly swerve into my lane to take a left turn, braked hard and locked up the front and went down. The rear brake lever is bent, right side mirror is dangling by the wire, throttle lever and front brake lever scuffed at the ends and some scratches on the right fairing, nothing much here but what worries me is that for the bike to go straight, the handlebars have to be pointed slightly to the right. Any idea what happened/could be done here and about the cost to replace the mirror and the levers?

Regarding the handlebar pointed to the right.... The handle comes in three pieces. Left, right and middle. The left and right are rods that gets inserted in to the holes on the either sides of the central piece and then clamped tight. I am very certain that the right handle bar would have bent. Replace it.

How do I know?
I have met with a similar accident with similar consequences (mirror, scratched fairing, broken rear brake pedal, scuffed fronk brake lever and throttle)

[jRay]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

It's requires a simple re-alignment of the steering stem/forks . And don't fall for the 'saar fork bend' scam. You might have to replace the clip on if it is bent.
Simple Fork alignment has been discussed a few days ago on the 390 thread.. follow this http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1256446
Apart from this, you will need to loosen the steering stem nut/triple clamp and adjust so that the wheels point straight when the the handle is straight.

Will keep that in mind thanks

[s1d]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

for the bike to go straight, the handlebars have to be pointed slightly to the right. Any idea what happened/could be done here

It's requires a simple re-alignment of the steering stem/forks . And don't fall for the 'saar fork bend' scam. You might have to replace the clip on if it is bent.
Simple Fork alignment has been discussed a few days ago on the 390 thread.. follow this http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/motorcyc...ml#post1256446
Apart from this, you will need to loosen the steering stem nut/triple clamp and adjust so that the wheels point straight when the the handle is straight.

[jRay]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

I'll just give you a general overview:
Mirror- 1.7k for 2016 version
Front/Rear Brake lever - Approx 700 each
Fairing stickers- 13k at SVC for both sifes, roughly 2-3k at local shops for one side.
Throttle lever no clue.

Regarding the movement of the handle bar, that's a common thing when an impact occurrs, its just a case of wheel alignment, which costs 300 bucks.
Get the front forks checked once, but there's little chance of any damage there really. Just think of how when a cycle hits,you would have to hold the wheel and adjust the handle bar; its the same principle here.
After SVC, to check it, while riding on an open road, just keep the handlebars straight and let go, if the bike veers to any side you still have alignment issues.

Thanks.
I'll get it checked.

[AngadV]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Had my first crash today when a motorcyclist decided to suddenly swerve into my lane to take a left turn, braked hard and locked up the front and went down. The rear brake lever is bent, right side mirror is dangling by the wire, throttle lever and front brake lever scuffed at the ends and some scratches on the right fairing, nothing much here but what worries me is that for the bike to go straight, the handlebars have to be pointed slightly to the right. Any idea what happened/could be done here and about the cost to replace the mirror and the levers?

I'll just give you a general overview:
Mirror- 1.7k for 2016 version
Front/Rear Brake lever - Approx 700 each
Fairing stickers- 13k at SVC for both sifes, roughly 2-3k at local shops for one side.
Throttle lever no clue.

Regarding the movement of the handle bar, that's a common thing when an impact occurrs, its just a case of wheel alignment, which costs 300 bucks.
Get the front forks checked once, but there's little chance of any damage there really. Just think of how when a cycle hits,you would have to hold the wheel and adjust the handle bar; its the same principle here.
After SVC, to check it, while riding on an open road, just keep the handlebars straight and let go, if the bike veers to any side you still have alignment issues.

[jRay]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Had my first crash today when a motorcyclist decided to suddenly swerve into my lane to take a left turn, braked hard and locked up the front and went down. The rear brake lever is bent, right side mirror is dangling by the wire, throttle lever and front brake lever scuffed at the ends and some scratches on the right fairing, nothing much here but what worries me is that for the bike to go straight, the handlebars have to be pointed slightly to the right. Any idea what happened/could be done here and about the cost to replace the mirror and the levers?

[Boris]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Has anyone tried upgrading their RC headlight bulbs?? Like to LEDs or HIDs??

I'm thinking of changing my stock bulbs to somthing better. I do alot of highway riding so wanted even brighter lights. Saw alot of Chinese LED conversion kits but was very skeptical due to the fact that the brands are pretty much unknown and unwarranted.

[prateek2210]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

My choices vary according to the budget, maintenance, long term purpose...that's y I'm researching each and every bike now

Do you understand all 3 bikes fall in different categories , and maintenance and "one name" in your choices doesnt go hand to hand. Anyways all the best

[Mahesh Sandana]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

My choices vary according to the budget, maintenance, long term purpose...that's y I'm researching each and every bike now

[prateek2210]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

And when comes to service part they didn't tell me that it is compulsory to do service for every 4 months in order to keep warranty in tact. After listening to all these bullshit I was like what the f..k. they provided all the false information till now, good that I got this group. I'm thankful to this forum seriously it helped me a lot in choosing the bike.

First of all, you just need to follow the service intervals given in the book, thats all and get it from authorised svc top keep the warranty. If you cancel booking just a sper sales guy, then my friend you wont be able to buy any product on this planet let alone a bike.

When comes to KTM RC 200 it's pure sporty. As I already had naked bike Yamaha FZS so wanted to go for KTM RC 200. But now finally I'm going for RE Electra 350

RC 200, Benelli seriously now Electra, you choices vary too much

[Mahesh Sandana]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

When comes to KTM RC 200 it's pure sporty. As I already had naked bike Yamaha FZS so wanted to go for KTM RC 200. But now finally I'm going for RE Electra 350

[Mahesh Sandana]

Re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

And when comes to service part they didn't tell me that it is compulsory to do service for every 4 months in order to keep warranty in tact. After listening to all these bullshit I was like what the f..k. they provided all the false information till now, good that I got this group. I'm thankful to this forum seriously it helped me a lot in choosing the bike.