So you have made a firm decision to upgrade your two-wheeler, and have been enthralled by KTM. You're on the verge of applying for a two wheeler loan with Bajaj Finance Ltd-AF, and while you've considerably narrowed down the list for your next bike, you have so far not managed to take your pick from the venerable competition belonging to the same stable - KTM RC 200 vs Duke 200.
If this sounds like a situation you're currently in, the following guide is exactly what you need before selecting one of the two highly competent motorbikes which provide a splendid balance of performance, style, practicality and price.
We begin with the seemingly simple but outrageously cool KTM Duke 200 . It is styled as a street-naked everyday bike with really impressive performance being churned out from the engine underneath. It does have a bit of a narrowed-down, flyaway stance, and gives the impression of speed from the get go. While its handling is superb and braking performance is brilliant, the way it builds up speed might feel a bit too eager for a few, although to be fair, its instrument cluster LED read-out does state 'Ready to Race' as you turn the ignition key.
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The KTM RC 200 , on the other hand, has the same internals. But the full fairing design, the flat handlebars and the more leaned-ahead stance makes it a more favourable bike to own if you happen to frequent the highway. The full fairing at the front and the steeply raked rear make it more sporty, and its 137kg kerb weight (against the Duke 200's 148kg weight) means it gets an advantage in terms of aerodynamics. This helps the RC 200 accelerate faster down the line, even though it is initially slower. The KTM RC 200 vs Duke 200 battle, hence, eventually boils down to how big of a biking enthusiast you are, and whether you're going to spend more time in the city, or out on the highway.
The most important deciding factor for you is possibly going to be the price, before opting for a two wheeler loan. The KTM Duke 200 is priced at Rs 1.60 lakhs*, while the KTM RC 200 is priced at Rs 1.88 lakhs* (ex-showroom), making both of them premium offerings. For the added cost, the KTM RC 200 provides enhanced stability, better acceleration and a more track-oriented stance. For everyday usage, however, the Duke 200 is a safer bet.
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For a detailed look at how affordable either of the two KTM bikes can be, check out Bajaj Auto Finance's two wheeler loan calculator, which lets you decide your monthly EMI and lets you choose accordingly.
The KTM Duke 200 returns mileage figures of 35kmpl, while the RC 200 returns up to 29kmpl, despite its performance-oriented stance. The RC 200's overall mileage should be better in the city, and closer to what the Duke 200 produces. However, the RC 200's lighter weight does play a factor here.
Both the bikes are powered by the same, 200cc , single cylinder, liquid cooled engine that produces 25.1bhp and 19.2Nm of torque. The RC 200 gets better brakes, while the Duke 200 gets one litre extra capacity of reserve fuel, and marginally longer riding range.
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At such close quarters, the eventual buying decision possibly comes down to which of the two's styling would you prefer, and which turns out to be more gentle to your bank statement. The KTM Duke 200 is clearly the more affordable option between the two, even in the long run. It even offers comparable performance, which is what might make many lean towards it, in this comparison.
