KTM launches Duke RC 200, 390

Austrian motorcyclemaker KTM, in which Bajaj Auto holds a 48% stake, on Tuesday launched two new sportsbikes based on its Duke series, the RC 200 and RC 390 Supersport, at introductory prices of ₹ 1.60 lakh and ₹ 2.05 lakh respectively.

The RC 200 is powered by the 199.5cc engine of the Duke 200, and the RC 390 has the Duke 390's 373.2-cc engine. The bikes will compete with the likes of Yamaha R15 and Honda CBR 250R and have been priced competitively.

"KTM has grown by 120% in the current financial year. With the RCs we expect it to be the fastest growing brand in India by far," said Amit Nandi, senior vice-president, Bajaj Probiking.

Stefan Pierer, CEO, KTM said the company would produce about 65,000 bikes at the Chakan plant of Bajaj Auto, of which 15,000-17,000 would be sold in India and the rest exported.

For KTM, Bajaj is the key to emerging markets, while Bajaj views the Austrian company as its gateway to developed countries.

"From my point of view, Bajaj is already in the US, Canada and Japan, through KTM. So there is no need to ship out Pulsars and Discovers to those markets," said Rajiv Bajaj, MD, Bajaj Auto.