KTM RC 200 [2020] vs KTM 390 Duke [2021]

Should you be spending around Rs 1.83 lakh on the R15, or put in Rs 26,000 more and go for the bigger RC 200?

This is the new-for-2017 KTM RC200, which like an ignored child, gets very few upgrades compared to the new RC390. Sure, all the 200’s tantrums have forced KTM to give it a new set of clothes. But with that white hue, the paint job looks more like the older RC390’s hand-me-down clothes; only these are altered for the 200’s size. Now, haven’t all the second-born amongst us experienced that, especially when it came to school uniforms?

I was left awestruck the day the images of the KTM RC200 surfaced on the web. I saw the pictures of the RC 390 but they were not as bewitching and enchanting as the ones of the RC200. The high resolution images not only became the wallpaper on my laptop and cell phone, but they left a big imprint in my minda as well. The impatient soul within me felt tranquil while I marvelled at the beauty of the RC 200. I only came to my senses when I was told that I was going to review one of the RC motorcycles. All the drooling, dreaming and waiting for one of the most anticipated bikes of 2014 was going to get over for me. Lost in the gawking, I don't even remember how fast the day dawned and we were at Bajaj's private test track at Chakan to see what it's all about.

We test 2020 KTM 390 Duke BS6 around Bajaj’s Chakan test track to bring you these first impressions.

The 2013 Duke 390 was fast, fun but flawed. The new one though is as much fun and well rounded machine.

Call it the baby 1290 Super Duke R or the BMW G310R destroyer, the 2017 390 Duke is a new bike from KTM that is made in India and exported to the world. The older iteration of the 390 Duke was known for its aggressive nature and the ability to keep up with some parallel-twin bikes on the highway. The 2017 390 Duke does that too, but offers more features, is comfortable and has a design that can make the owner the talk of the town.