KTM RC 125: Is it worth it?

You spent Rs. 1.08 lakhs? That too on a 150cc motorcycle? That's the response dad and I got back in 2008 when we bought the newly launched Yamaha R15. What the R15 brought to the table back then was top notch technology that made it more focused and more performance oriented than its larger capacity competition. As things turned out, the R15 went on to become a legend of sorts, redefining boundaries and more importantly, reshaping consumer perception on quality, technology and performance. Why did I bring in the R15 in an RC125 article? Because..... You spent Rs. 1.74 lakhs? That too on a 125cc motorcycle? That's the response every buyer of the KTM RC 125 is going to get from his friends, family, better half and also neighbours. So despite the seemingly exorbitant price tag, is the RC 125 the motorcycle you've been waiting for? There's only one way to find out. Lets ride.

If this were a beauty pageant, the RC just won it. This baby RC, especially in it's orange and black livery looks absolutely drop dead gorgeous. There is nothing in this price segment that looks so, so good to the naked eye. It is the same size, same proportion as the larger RCs including the exposed trellis frame, the upside down forks, the twin projector headlamps and even the tyres. It is this uncompromising design approach taken by KTM is what I appreciate the most about the RC 125. They have not cut any corners when it comes to quality and equipment and it shows in the way this motorcycle looks and behaves. 

The 835mm seat height on paper sounds like a lot but straddle the baby RC and the pliant rear suspension sinks in enough to make you comfortably flat foot the motorcycle. Well, almost. The 154 kgs kerb weight on paper sounds like a lot but the mass centralisation and low centre of gravity make the RC feel extremely lightweight and flickable. Finally, 14.5 BHP on paper sounds like too little but wring the throttle and wait for it. "There's a point at 7000 RPMs where everything fades". That famous quote from the movie Ford vs Ferrari? That's what defines how this little monster of a mill develops and puts down its power. 

This 125 cc powerplant runs a short stroke, high compression, 4 valve, DOHC set up and boy oh boy does it like to rev. But that's not what I loved the most about this engine. What really impressed me was the level of refinement that it brought along. This is undoubtedly the smoothest KTM single cylinder powerplant. There are no vibrations apart from a few charater vibes very high up in the rev range. The motor also doesn't protest being ridden at a slow pace at low RPMs, something that the bigger RCs don't really enjoy doing. It's a very friendly yet involving engine. Will it outrun other run of the mill but larger 150cc commuter motorcycles in a drag race? In one word, no. Almost all 150s are a lot quicker off the line. However, after crossing triple digit speeds the RC starts playing catch up and eventuallty vanishes into the road ahead. However, if you're planning to go signal to signal racing, it's unlikely that you'd come out on top.

Moving on to the transmission bit. There is no slip and assist clutch. Well honestly, you don't need one for the RC 125. The clutch pull is light and engine braking is not enough to warrant the need for a slipper clutch. Clutch quality though is top notch, the clutch action smooth and progressive. The six speed gearbox is slick shifting and precise. Next up is the way the baby RC handles. The RC 125 once again, has the same top notch steel trellis frame and aluminium swingarm as its larger siblings. The steering geometry is sharp and the RC just loves tipping into corners and coming out of them. The 110 section front and 150 section rear radials from MRF provide decent grip and help enhance the mid corner planted feel. Though I personally feel that KTM could have given the RC 125 smaller section, stickier compound tyres. Would have helped enhance the cornering grip as well as straight line performance.

With (not so) great power comes great responsibility. KTM have equipped the RC 125 with the same front and rear brake set up as the 200. Just a little dab on the front lever and it greets you with a sharp bite. A little harder pull and there's enough progression and feedback letting you know just how much more pull is left before you lock up the front tyre or activate the single channel front ABS. Moreover, thanks to the stiffly set USD forks, the front end of the RC 125 doesn't nosedive under hard braking like the R15's does. This gives you that much more confidence to brake later and harder into a corner. This is undoubtedly the best braking motorcycle in its segment and full marks to KTM for that. Yes, a dual channel ABS would have been desirable but a single channel unit is definitely a lot more fun! The bike is also surprisingly comfortable to ride. The riding position is aggressive but not overly cramped like the R15's. The saddle is better cushioned than previous gen RCs. The rear mono shock is very pliant and soaks up most of the potholes and road undulations. Going into a pothole too hot doesn't unsettle the bike or bottom out the front forks. It's amazing how brilliantly this bike is sprung and yet how sharp it feels in the corners.

Finally, the reckoning. Rs. 1.74 lakhs on road, Mumbai. For a good looking 125cc which will be beaten in a drag race by bikes little over half its price. It is in fact pricier than even the Yamaha R15v3, a motorcycle which will beat it black and blue in a shootout. However, the R15v3 with all its legacy comes with large compromises in various key areas like suspension, brakes, tyres, overall build quality and fit and finish. Why? Because Yamaha decided to build their motorcycle to a price for India while KTM gave theirs everything they had. The buying decision for a KTM RC125 will have to be made with the heart and not the head because that's exactly how KTM have built this motorcycle. Ride it. If you connect with it, I can assure you, you would not connect with anything in this segment. That price tag is well worth it.