KTM RC 125 in the driving report

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KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

17th pictures

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
BLACK&WHEEL!

1/17
KTM provides the Dukes with the RC series, also as 125, 200 and 390 and also produced in India. The premium in Germany is the KTM RC 125.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

2/17
The KTM RC 125 steers crisply and directly – no wonder with a dry weight of 135 kilograms (factory specification) and steering geometry trimmed for agility.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

3/17
If the basic equipment is not enough for you, the extensive range of accessories includes wave brake discs, racing windscreens, adjustable levers, a luggage system, decor sets and the obligatory Akrapovic exhaust.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

4/17
The stable chassis gives confidence down to deep lean angles, at least as long as the road surface is dry and the tires are properly brought up to operating temperature.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

5/17
KTM and Bajaj rely on tires from the Indian supplier MRF, which with their meager wet grip and narrow border area caused a frown in the MOTORCYCLE endurance test of the Duke 125.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

6/17
Initial concerns about the fairly soft-looking basic set-up dissolve with pleasure when swinging on the country road: fork and shock absorber do their job well, have sufficient damping and a sensitive response.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

7/17
LED: indicators, parking and rear lights are equipped with light-emitting diodes.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

8/17
Top idea: This is not a cover, but the very comfortable pillion seat.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

9/17
LCD: comprehensive information with poor readability thanks to the digital cockpit.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

10/17
The front light of the KTM RC 125.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

11/17
The front of the KTM RC 125.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

12/17
All this reminds a bit of the bygone days of toxic 125cc two-stroke street racers and their undisguised racing ambitions.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

13/17
Crisp edges: with its own design and lots of racing flair, the KTM RC 125 vies for the young.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

14/17
The KTM RC 125 enters the arena well armed. Thanks to the common parts strategy, the 125cc is almost identical to the bigger sisters.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
Francesc Montero

15/17
The seat height is given as a lofty 820 millimeters, but shrinks a lot when you sit on it. In combination with a narrow waist, a bench that is not too hard and a reasonable knee angle, this results in a sporty, relaxed seating position that is also okay for beginners.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
Francesc Montero

16/17
Take a seat, leave it on, roll off. It is immediately noticeable that the handlebars are attached directly to the upper fork bridge and are therefore not too deep and relatively far apart.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
KTM

17/17
The KTM RC 125 will be available from September at a price of 4595 euros. If you build the hottest 125cc in the country, you don’t have to show the mirror on the wall, but a comparison test.

motorcycles

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
125cc in a sporty version

After the Duke 125, KTM is launching the brand new KTM RC 125, another 125 cc. It is preparing to cause a stir among the sporty 125 cc.

Johannes Muller

08/14/2014

KTM continues to expand globally. After the record years of 2012 and 2013, the orange ones replaced BMW as the largest motorcycle manufacturer in Europe, with over 123,000 units sold. Such quantities cannot be achieved with the EXC, Adventure and RC8 alone, rather the small dukes with 125 and 390 cubic meters, especially the 200s, are sold in Asia and South America. This growth is made possible by the cooperation with Bajaj, who manufacture this series for KTM in India. Now KTM brings with the KTM RC 125 a sporty version for beginners on the market.

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KTM RC 125 in the driving report

KTM RC 125 in the driving report
125cc in a sporty version

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KTM provides the Dukes with the RC series, also as 125, 200 and 390 and also produced in India. The surcharge in Germany is the KTM RC 125. This should get a piece of the growing cake of the 125 market, whose sports segment with the Yamaha YZF-R 125, Aprilia RS4 125 and the Honda CBR 125 R is not that weak.

Almost identical to the larger sisters

But the KTM RC 125 enter the arena well armed. Thanks to the common parts strategy, the 125cc is almost identical to its larger sisters and proudly wears their bright orange tubular space frame, WP upside-down fork and strut, cast aluminum swing arm, radial brake caliper on the front wheel and a remarkable 150cc rear tire. All of this reminds a bit of the bygone days of toxic 125cc two-stroke street racers and their undisguised racing ambitions.

In any case, the KTM RC 125 is likely to cause quite a stir in the schoolyards of Germany. That’s a good thing, because so much race spirit and crisp optics are good enough to inspire youngsters for the most beautiful hobby in the world. The purpose of the motorcycle is not in posing, but in driving, and here the RC 125 has to prove whether the company motto “Ready to Race” also applies to the smallest street athlete in the KTM portfolio.

KTM RC 125 in the driving report

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The engine of the KTM RC 125 picks up the gas very early

Take a seat, leave it on, roll off. It is immediately noticeable that the handlebars of the KTM RC 125 are attached directly to the upper triple clamp and are therefore not too deep and relatively far apart. The seat height is specified as a lofty 820 millimeters, but it shrinks a lot when you sit on it. In combination with a narrow waist, a bench that is not too hard and a reasonable knee angle, this results in a sporty, relaxed seating position that is also okay for beginners.

The water-cooled engine of the KTM RC 125, known from the Duke 125, tumbles sonorously from the underfloor exhaust and picks up the gas very early on when driving, and then takes on beautifully linearity over the course of the engine speed range, with a slight kick from 7500 tours Increase performance. Shortly before 10000, the gearshift indicator warns you to change gears before the limiter holds his protective hand over the four valves of the injection engine.


KTM RC 125 in the driving report


KTM

Crisp edges: With its own design and lots of racing flair, the RC 125 vies for the young.

Initial concerns about the fairly soft-looking basic set-up dissolve with pleasure when swinging on the country road: fork and shock absorber do their job well, have sufficient damping and a sensitive response. The KTM RC 125 steers crisply and directly – no wonder with a dry weight of 135 kilograms (factory specification) and steering geometry trimmed for agility. The stable chassis gives confidence down to deep lean angles, at least as long as the road surface is dry and the tires are properly brought up to operating temperature.

KTM and Bajaj also rely on tires from the Indian supplier MRF for the KTM RC 125, which, with their poor wet grip and narrow limit range, caused a frown in the MOTORCYCLE endurance test of the Duke 125. In the meantime, the compound of the tires has been changed, but the changing conditions for the presentation did not allow a love affair with the rubbers to develop.

On board are a digital cockpit, LED indicators and illuminated switch units

The braking system left no doubts. With a good bite and little hand strength, the anchors from the Indian Brembo subsidiary ByBre bring the KTM RC 125 to a safe standstill in any situation. And that – together with the Duke 125 – as the only light motorcycle supported by an ABS. The smooth gearbox and the smooth-running clutch deserve praise, albeit with quite long distances. The other equipment is also complete: on board are a digital cockpit, LED turn signals (cleverly integrated into the large mirrors at the front), LED position light and rear light as well as illuminated switch units.

If that’s not enough, the extensive range of accessories includes wave brake discs, racing windscreens, adjustable levers, a luggage system, decor sets and the obligatory Akrapovic exhaust. The pillion throne is cleverly made: What looks like a matt seat cover in the photos is actually the upholstery of the passenger seat. Compared to Yamaha’s YZF-R 125, for example, it is extremely comfortable. The KTM RC 125 will be available from September at a price of 4595 euros. If you build the hottest 125cc in the country, you don’t have to show the mirror on the wall, but a comparison test.

Technical data KTM RC 125


KTM RC 125 in the driving report


KTM

LCD: comprehensive information with poor readability thanks to the digital cockpit.

KTM RC 125

engine
Water-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine, a balance shaft, two overhead, chain-driven camshafts, four valves, rocker arms, wet sump lubrication, injection, 1 x Ø 33 mm, alternator 238 W, battery 12 V / 8 Ah, mechanically operated multi-plate oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, X-ring chain, secondary ratio 45:15.
Bore x stroke: 58.0 x 47.2 mm
Displacement: 125 cm³
Compression ratio: 12.6: 1
Rated output: 11.0 kW (15 PS) at 9500 rpm
Max. Torque: 12 Nm at 8000 rpm

landing gear
Steel tubular frame, upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm, two-arm swing arm made of aluminum, spring strut, directly hinged, adjustable spring base, front disc brake, Ø 300 mm, four-piston fixed caliper, rear disc brake, Ø 230 mm, single-piston floating caliper, ABS.
Cast aluminum wheels: 3.00 x 17; 4.00 x 17
Tires: 110/70 ZR 17; 150/60 ZR 17

mass and weight
Wheelbase 1340 mm, steering head angle 66.5 degrees, caster 88 mm, suspension travel f / r 125/150 mm, seat height 820 mm, dry weight 135 kg, permissible total weight 335 kg, tank capacity / reserve 10.0 / 1.5 liters.
Warranty: two years
Colors: black / orange
Price: 4595 euros
Additional costs: 250 euros

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