KTM is working on a new faired sports bike for India, and it is the one we all have been waiting for. We have insider information that the Austrian manufacturer will soon launch the 2017 KTM RC 250 in the country. It will be based on the new Duke 250 that was launched in India earlier this year.
The new RC 250 has recently been spotted testing in India, pointing towards a nearing launch. It is worth noting that this new bike won’t get any major cosmetic differentiations, as compared to other bikes in the RC range – the RC 200 and the RC 390. As a result, the RC 250 will fill the gap between the existing KTM RC bike range and will compete against the likes of the Yamaha R3, Benelli 302R and the recently launched Yamaha Fazer 25.
KTM hasn’t officially made any revelations related to the RC 250 launch date in India. However, we expect it to be introduced by the end of this year. India won’t be the first country to get the RC 250. The bike is already sold in the international markets. However, it is not yet known whether the India-spec model will be similar to similar to the one sold in other countries.
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KTM RC 250 launch date in India
The KTM RC 250 will likely launch in India sometime around the end of this year. KTM is yet to make an official announcement about the launch date. We will update this section as soon as we hear some official news regarding the RC 250’s launch in the country.
KTM RC 250 expected price in India
KTM sells the Duke 250 in India at a price of Rs. 1.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). Seeing the price trends of the existing Duke and RC twins, it will be safe to assume that the KTM RC 250 will be priced around the Rs 2 lakh mark in India.
| KTM RC 250 price in India | Rs 2 lakh |
KTM RC 250 specifications
Specs sheet of the KTM RC 250 will most likely be similar to the one seen on the KTM Duke 250, which is already on sale in India. This includes a 248.8 cc, single-cylinder engine which is mated to a 6-speed gearbox. It also gets a slipper clutch as standard. This powertrain develops 30 PS and 24 Nm of torque in the naked, which is expected to remain unchanged for the RC version as well.
| Engine | 248.8 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Power | 30 PS @ 9,000 rpm |
| Torque | 24 Nm @ 7,250 rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
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KTM RC 250 top speed
With the aforementioned engine-gearbox combination, the new KTM RC 250 top speed is expected to be pegged at around 155 km/h. The RC is also expected to be more stable at high speeds, as compared to the Duke 250. This is due to the better aerodynamics of the faired version and the relatively heavier weight.
KTM RC 250 design
The KTM RC 250 uses the same trellis frame structure seen on the other KTM RC bikes in India. It also gets a bolt-on subframe, similar to the one on the Duke 250. The overall design theme of the RC 250 is similar to that of the RC 390, as it gets a heavy fairing on the side, a large fuel tank and an intelligently designed rear seat that looks like a plastic cowl. However, the RC 250 misses out on the LED headlight strips seen on the bigger model.
2017 KTM RC 250 features
- Dual projector headlamps
- Slipper clutch
- Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)