As KTM had already showcased the RC250 and Duke 250 with all new 250cc engine at recently concluded Tokyo motor show, soon after that reports were coming from different sources that KTM has not only commenced the production of both RC250 and Duke 250 at our very own Bajaj's Chakan plant but also exported few units to countries like Thailand and Turkey.Now, an official Television Commercial has been put on air in Thailand, where the made in India KTM RC 250 and Duke 250 are racing neck to neck on the streets of Bangkok. The TVC not only confirms the official launch of both the bikes in Thailand but also strengthens the positioning of the products. Thailand is one of the countries where neither 200cc nor 390cc get any benefit from the government, in fact the rule of the land sort of discouraging for two wheelers coming under these two categories. It is 250cc which has the maximum tax benefit and encouragement from the Thai government, catering these points and to extract maximum benefit from the undoubtedly great products KTM has introduced this all new 250cc engine.
There are many other countries also where KTM will pitch these models and get the benefit of the local transportation and road laws. The launch of both RC 250 and Duke 250 in India was skeptical ever since they were first showcased in Tokyo, as the new engine is a derivative of bigger 372cc engine used in Duke 390 & RC 390 and not a re-bored version of 199cc engine used in Duke 200 & RC200. The cost factor of new 250 duos might not just fit into our market but what we can speculate that the new 250 duos could easily replace the 200cc duos and make more sense as being 250cc and based on 390's platform will bring some features inherently like standard ABS.
The new 250cc liquid cooled 4-stroke engine will churn out 31 Ps of power and 24 Nm of torque, the engine itself is claimed to be weighs only 37.2 Kgs, which is certainly the lightest mill in the segment. The RC 250 will compete Kawasaki Ninja 300, Yamaha YZF- R25/R3 and Honda CBR250R etc. whereas the naked Duke 250 will lock its horns with the likes of Kawasaki Z250, the upcoming Yamaha MT-25 and Honda CB300.
By: Farhan Kashif
