KTM India was the brand which kickstarted the affordable sports bike segment in India. We surely had bikes like the Yamaha R15 and Kawasakis but Yamaha was not hardcore and Quackers cost a lot. Then the Orange Austrians came into the picture and dropped multiple bikes including the lunatic RC 390. If you have your wallet loaded to the brim, you can go to KTM and ride home the RC 390. But what if you are on a budget or a beginner? KTM has got the RC 125 for those kinds of buyers. Let's see what KTM RC 125 has to offer in its first look review.
KTM RC 125 First Look Review - Design and Dimensions
As the KTM Duke 125 takes its design from the RC 200, the RC 125 carries over the Design of the RC 200 and RC 390. The headlight cowl is sharp and pointed and sports twin projector headlights. The tip of the cowl gets LED DRLs and RC 125 get LED turn indicators all around. The side profile is exactly similar to the bigger RCs with exposed Trellis frame. The tail of the RC 125 goes upward and the LED taillight is also the same we get in RC 390. The orange alloys of the RC 125 look distinctive on the road.
| Measures | KTM RC 125 |
| Length | 1977mm |
| Width | 688mm |
| Height | 1098mm |
| Wheelbase | 1341mm |
| Fuel Tank | 9.5 litres |
| Ground Clearance | 178mm |
KTM RC 125 First Look Review - Specs and Features
KTM RC 125 offers a lot of features for its segment and some are not available with competitors. Features include dual projector headlamps, LED headlights, LED taillights, LED indicators, WP upside-down forks, mono-shock at the rear, fully digital instrument console with trip meter, shift light, digital fuel gauge; single-channel ABS etc.
Talking about the specs of the KTM RC 125, the front brake measures 300mm with four-piston Brembo calliper, single-piston brake calliper with 230mm disc at the rear, 17-inch alloy wheels shod with 110/70 rubber at the front and 150/60 rubber at the back. The claimed riding range of the RC 125 is near 380 km and expected fuel efficiency is 40 km/l.
KTM RC 125 First Look Review - Engine and Performance
KTM RC 125 comes with the same engine we get in the Duke 125. The 125cc single-cylinder fuel-injected DOHC petrol engine which churns out 14.5 ps and 12 Nm of torque @ 8000 rpm. The engine sports bore of 58mm and stroke of 47.2mm along with liquid cooling. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. On comparing to its rivals, the outright power of the RC 125 is lacking and some cheaper bikes produce more horses than the RC 125. However, the agility and the premium equipment of the RC 125 comes to the rescue.
Also Read: Mercedes-Benz EQC 400 Acceleration Test - It's Absolute Bonkers! [Video]
KTM RC 125 First Look Review - Price, Colours and Rivals
KTM RC 125 is priced at a premium and really could not be termed as value for money. KTM offers the RC 125 in a single variant which is priced at Rs 1.59 lakh ex-showroom, New Delhi. KTM offers the RC 125 with two colour options - White and Orange. The KTM RC 125 competes with the likes of Yamaha R15, Suzuki SF 150 and likes.
