KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

[ElectroCentric]

KTM RC 200 circuit problem

2 Days back (24/1/2015) , when I switched on my ktm RC 200, I noticed that the switches (horn, pass ,indicator, break lights and head lights) are not working. as all the showrooms are off, It has become difficult for me to fix this problem, my meter works perfectly fine , but I am having problem with these switches, and my bike is just 2 months old.


If anyone knows the solution for this please help me out.

[Ishaan.humble]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

ajay yeah, i checked with other dealers all over india and most of them are saying 3 months only. I guess the waiting period makes getting the bike just a little bit more sweeter.
Also i dont know about the rc200 but i\\\'ve ridden CBR 205r for more than 300kms a day and never felt any pain in any body part, so i guess riding the rc also wouldn\\\'t be much of a bother for me.

[rcboy]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

ajay yeah, i checked with other dealers all over india and most of them are saying 3 months only. I guess the waiting period makes getting the bike just a little bit more sweeter.
Also i dont know about the rc200 but i\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'ve ridden CBR 205r for more than 300kms a day and never felt any pain in any body part, so i guess riding the rc also wouldn\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t be much of a bother for me.

what if i give more cash upfront then..?
cause delhi lajpat nagar dealer seems to be hinting on these lines

[Ishaan.humble]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

what if i give more cash upfront then..?
cause delhi lajpat nagar dealer seems to be hinting on these lines

if it\'s feasible to you then you can do it, but it is morally incorrect as the person who has waited for months for this bike to be delivered will have to wait more.

[athri]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

HI guys I have a question,

Does any RC200 owner feels the bike lacks power or the tires lack grip ? Or for any reason you think you should have purchased RC 390 ?

I have booked RC390 and I am confused whether to go for RC390 or 200. What do you guys suggest ?

[s1d]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

HI guys I have a question,

Does any RC200 owner feels the bike lacks power or the tires lack grip ? Or for any reason you think you should have purchased RC 390 ?

I have booked RC390 and I am confused whether to go for RC390 or 200. What do you guys suggest ?

apart from the similarity in riding position, everything else related to performance is totally different between the 200\'s and 390
after riding a 390 , the 200 will feel underpowered
the tires on the 390 are better at grip levels combined with the abs, but come at a price and are more prone to punctures

I\'d advice you to ride both the bikes a few times before making a decision. If not you have the option of the naked dukes which are better suited to most people ergonomically with similar performance and at a lower price.

[KayKashyap]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

I\'m planning to book mine by this week,
1.96L on road in Bangalore,45 to 60 days waiting period,but dealer said it\'ll be delivered before that.

[rcboy]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

HI guys I have a question,

Does any RC200 owner feels the bike lacks power or the tires lack grip ? Or for any reason you think you should have purchased RC 390 ?

I have booked RC390 and I am confused whether to go for RC390 or 200. What do you guys suggest ?

a 375 cc engine setup delivering way more power and torque is bound to make 199.5 cc engine feel meek the question is not the \"lack of power\" question you should ask yourself is are that much of a maniac(thats a complement and in no way an offence) who pushes 150+ speeds or your riding style is such that such huge power and torque will rarely be used by you also FACTOR in the price factor (i for one am choosing 200 cause of money restraint :/ )
as far as the tires are considered the zappers are not bad per say ,obviously in comparison of metzelers they fall short ....dont forget you can always change the tire set once you exhaust these stock ones to better tires

[Muthukumar.Rathnam]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Covered 400 kms till now. Got 30 Mileage on first full tank of petrol. There is still vibration from the bike . Engine heats up quick in evening traffic and radiator fan kicks in several times.
Sometimes engines shutdown if there is too much traffic and heat gets accumulated while we are waiting for a go . Engine heat always stays at top almost 80 % . not sure if it is normal, will check with showroom once.

bike feels slippery in uneven roads and mud surface. front brake is very powerful. should be careful in slow corners. it can stop quick and give a shock if applied alone. back brake is very linear.
always both brake applied together is best choice.

it took time for me to get use to the short back brake lever which was difficult to access initially . hugging the bike with thighs during breaking or down-slope helps ease the pressure at wrist. travelling with pillion can bring them onto ur back as the back seat has less friction to keep them at place.

Suspension is awesome. Bike sound feels like music on the go and during high rev.

headlight is very good and day time running lights is a treat to watch yourself when parked. most of the feel good factor things about the bike can be seen only if u find a different RC owner crossing you.

I feel the back side fender (below the pillion seat) could have been black. The white color(default) make the bike looks like a White pulsar from long distance . i saw a RC 390 and it felt very good. planning to apply some black carbon style sticker for the same.

i am searching for a good tank pad sticker than can cover the max , since there is lot of contact from our body on that part which could create scratch marks.

completing the first 1000km with restricted RPM is difficult to digest

will continue to post on experience !!

[joe_marvy]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Hey, congratulations for getting yourself a good ride. Rev low, ride safe!

Tight traffic makes the bike unhappy, the fan should kick in quite often. More the fans runs lesser the heat, don't worry about it. If the engine heat is beyond 60% don't turn off the engine at traffic lights. The engine heat gets arrested between the fairings. So you'll end up with shutdowns due to overheating.



On the move from my XSP

[Muthukumar.Rathnam]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

is the price of RC 200 increased ? I bought for 1.9 lakh on november last week 2014 ...!!!

[joe_marvy]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

Yes, price of RC 200 is increased by 6000 Rupees.


On the move from my XSP

[Ajay Vishwanath]

re: KTM RC 200 Owners Experience Thread

is the price of RC 200 increased ? I bought for 1.9 lakh on november last week 2014 ...!!!

Hey, congrats.. nice write up.. please keep us posted more about your experience..

[joe_marvy]

About Myself:
Like most of you on this community I love anything on wheels. A hardcore lover for two strokers, old school bikes and cars, I still have a bike which is a head turner no matter what age you are. Yes, the legendary Yamaha RX 100! My strong belief: more the gizmos more the trouble! I am a DYI guys, I hate guys fiddling around my prized possessions. Most of the regular maintenance and minor repairs on my RX and Classic will be done by me. I have now started the same with RC too, but this bike has a lot of gizmos which demands professional’s touch.

My Garage:
1998 Yamaha RX 100
2001 MPFI Zen LX
2011 Swift VDi
2014 Royal Enfield Classic 350
2015 KTM RC 200



Flashback:
I have a 17 years old RX 100 and I have lived with it for about 11years and still more to go. I have seen good, bad and ugly sides of the bike. The bike had seen all my life from when I was a student, lover boy, job hunter, employed, married, a father, a senior manager. I named the bike as “Blue Moon”, it is custom painted by previous owner and I never changed the color or it never faded. Still in rock solid condition, but not road legal, as it needs fitness certificate and insurance. What Yamaha done with that bike is still an unknown factor, it gives a pleasure and pride even BMWs and Mercs fail to give these days. The day when I got hold of the RX 100 key to this day, I have never hated the bike. The bike had given up on me several times, even on my first date with my GF (now wife), we pushed him for at least 30 odd KMs. It is one of those bikes which create a bonding. Even today I can’t even think about selling it, it has so many memories which are hard to let him go. From the day I booked RC 200, I was using my car for daily commute, since cops in Bangalore are on the lookout for old vehicles without roadworthy papers.

Apart from my RX 100, I have also used RE Classic 350 for a long time. Classic was my brother’s and I have used it enough. Both the bikes are mean machines in their own way. They both love to be ridden and refuse to die!



1^st Impression & Ownership Experience on KTM RC 200

Purchase Decision:
I was done with RX 100’s limits. It was a time nothing was faster than a RX, but now the time has evolved, even a Bajaj Discover is way faster than a RX. So I am not looking into any commuter bikes, my target was a sports bike. It should be furious, it should be faster than majority of the bikes we see on roads, it should look unique and fresh. So here is the list of shortlisted contenders:

Yamaha R25 – Too late for the party and too high on pricing.
Kawasaki Ninja 300 – Way far from my budget.
CBR 250R – Close to its end of life cycle and awaiting a new life as CBR 300, but that’s not going to be cheap in anyways.
Pulsar 220 – Lost its character and looks outdated.
Dukes – I love the specs but hate the design and riding posture (personal point of view, no offence)
KTM RC 390 – It’s cruel to lock 43 horses in a place where even pedestrians find traffic jams.
KTM RC 200 – Most of the check boxes were ticked and it is the bike that pulled the strings of my heart.



How it all started:
Rumor mill about KTM started with little or no detailed information about they are working on a new bike and it may be brought to India. Days passed and the rumors got stronger that KTM is working on affordable race track bike based on the dukes. I became more curious and started digging rumors and finally KTM displayed the machine at 2013 EICMA motorcycle show in Italy. That fixed my target and started waiting for updates, every online auto journals were RSS’ed to my Outlook, Feedly on Android, never missed an update about KTM. I have downloaded each and every spy shots of the bike to verify the changes they make to the production version. Finally the launch event happened and I would have watched it at least twenty times, thank God they priced it close to my expectation.

As usual, none of my family members was happy about my selection even my better half, as it lacks a proper pillion seat and it has weird colored wheels. I was in a dilemma to choose CBR 250R over RC 200 on the day of booking, but going through my anxiety, research and patience all these days for RC 200 wifey gave a green flag. Floored the pedal, reached the showroom, paid the booking amount on September 10^th and the wait started. I was the 13^th person to book RC 200 in Marathahalli Showroom, Bangalore. This was a newly opened showroom, manager and staffs were very co-operative. They gave me all the information and kept me updated with the status.

On November 25^th I got a call that my bike is expected on the lot, which is on the way to Bangalore and I have to make the payment. Now the sixth sense started its part of confusing. I know this bike is not going to travel with me like my Blue Moon, reliability matters and most of you would agree that these bikes can’t last longer. I have waited enough for the bike, then decided why not wait for few days more and get a 2015 model or registration, which will help me while selling the bike? So I called him back and said I will take the delivery on January first week.

December 26^th I called the Showroom manager and said I would like to take delivery on 10^th January 2015 and he gladly agreed. On 31^st December I got a shocker call saying “the bike pricing will be increased from tomorrow, but if you could pay today I can deliver the bike on the old price.” So wrapped up, made few calls and arranged the funds. Made the payment on 31^st December, now the countdown starts.

Finally the D’day came, Friday, January 09^th was one of the most excited days. Everything happened so fast. I have initially asked a delivery on 10^th January, but due to some unplanned events, I had asked the dealer to deliver it on 9^th January or as soon as he receives the bike.

I haven’t made a call on January 9^th, but as expected I promptly received a call from the showroom manager at 1 PM that my bike is on the way and it can be delivered today, but with one condition! Since 10 January is a second Saturday, RTO guys will get their holiday, bad me. So without registration I can take the delivery but on my own risk, insurance is not covered on unregistered bike. So took the plunge and said confidently that I am taking the delivery today evening and I will bear the risks involved.
Took my family at six, got stuck in evening (weekend) traffic and it took me 1.5 hours to reach the showroom which just 3 KMS away from my home. Everyone left for the day, except the manager who was in contact with me from the day I booked the bike. Thanked him enough for saving me 6k with the new pricing. There were six bikes and I was like, hey where are you buddy. My vision got blurred with anxiety and I couldn’t read the plates, they had written the owners name on every bike. Finally my wife said, “Hey, here is ours”! Showroom manager was busy preparing the RTO documents which has to be signed. Finally he came and gave me the docs, I signed everything and I was sure the signatures were not matching. Who cares, give me the keys ASAP. I have even signed a contract that “I am taking delivery without registration, I solely take the responsibility for the risks involved and I understand that Insurance is not covered for my bike until it gets registered.”



He took out the bike gave a general demo and gave me the keys. Before leaving I bought a bike cover. Took the bike to our church which is on the way to home, luckily Priest was available to bless the bike. Everything done, parked the bike inside the living room. Waiting sunrise for the long run-in drive to my native, which is 250 KMs to and fro.


That’s the longest night without much sleep and finally the day breaks out with a beautiful sunlight. Got ready, geared up, Ready to Drive Slow

Technical specs are boring, as most of you might have heard enough by now, so it’s better to skip…

Riding Experience:
KTM RC 200 is definitely not a head turner at least in rural places. Most of them think it as R15 by seeing the riding posture. Stares at urban places are sure though. Riding position, I have not faced any back, wrist or shoulder aches till now, but not feeling comfortable in this sporty posture for long run mainly because of run-in speeds. Gear shifts were slick and precise. Throttle response was crisp, soft clutch, less front fork travel, confident sweepers.

Rider seat is one hell of a miss, it’s a pure rock slab in black fabric/art leather cover. For the first time in my life I had “Ass Numbness”, I can’t feel my bums sitting on a couch after reaching home. I wish to punish the seat designer by asking him to ride the bike for 24 hours without break. Same for the handle grips, why would someone put acupressure spikes on a bike handle grip which is front biased?


Vibrations:
Yes, there are vibrations, but I have lived with RX 100 and a Classic so I am amazed with the refinement in RC 200. These vibrations are not bothering me and I have to concentrate on vibrations to realize it, so I am very happy in this part “Hey! I have a vibration/rattle free bike at last!”

Performance:
Manufacturers give this cruel agony to the customers by giving this “Run-In” period. I hate it always, my RX 100 has seen the worst of seizures than any bikes. Whenever I re-bore, I can only drive for 100-200 KMs carefully after which I lose my control. Rip it hard, blown out bore and re-bore it again. There were times I used to give my RX 100 to my brother to complete the “Run-In”. But in RC 200 I am taking the heat with a pinch. I had set the shift RPM indicator at 6000, which was 7500 while taking delivery. So even if I unconsciously rip I have enough time to control myself before I reach 7500 RPM! The bike shoots like an arrow from the bow, every strike is a bullseye! Lock your target location with your eyes, give it a little throttle and the bike gallops forward without even a delay in milliseconds. KTM RC 200 is a notorious kid when compared to its grown up elder brother RC 390. Just like the same siblings in the 80’s, the RX 100 & RD 350! Need to complete the run-in period to check how long it will take him to run out of breath in the long run.


Dynamics:
The wonderful hardware combo gives this bike an unimaginable riding dynamics. For an old school guy like me who has a vast background on RX 100 and a Classic 350, it’s a pleasure to experience the true dynamics. Believe it or not only on 10^th January 2015 I experienced a true dynamics of a sports bike, what bikes are capable of and why people go gaga about sports bikes! Words won’t do justice, you have to experience it to get the feel.



General:
I love the bike, no faults found so far. Everything is perfect, just fiddling around the combination instrument to learn the features it offers. Still I couldn’t figure out how to set shift RPM 2 though I have followed the instruction in the Owner’s Manual. Can someone jump in to help me set shift RPM 2 and find the actual mileage from the instrument cluster?

I have completed 350 KMs so far and this review is only my initial observations in this short span with the bike. Tyres need proper run-in, initially it skids on moderate braking on gravel roads, but now hugs the road greatly. Pillion comfort is rider’s discomfort, my wife had no issues travelling 150 KMs with two breaks. I was little stressed compared to the solo ride. Bike is nimble to ride in traffic but heats up like a tandoori stove near your legs. The radiator fan makes a beautiful sound and I’m loving it, turns head at the traffic light “Who’s this guys with an alien ship :P”.

Lights were great, but they can be turned on only when the bike is idling or running. A big applause for beautiful integration of Headlights, Indicators, illuminated controls, tail lights and the number plate light.



List of things to be purchased:
Bike Body Cover – bought.
Jopasu - Car Duster - bought
Helmet – MT Axxis bought
Jacket
Gloves
Chain Lube
Paddock Stand

I will try to keep this thread live. Apologies for the photo quality, lengthy post or bad English. Please feel free to ask me any doubts, I will gladly help you with my limited knowledge. Thanks to Xbhp’s overhaul and my tight schedules for this delayed thread!

[Divya Sharan]

Approved!

Wonderfully put. Please post a few pics with the indicators on at night from both front and rear angles.