KTM’s upcoming motorcycles, the RC390 and RC200 have been spied again along with a heavily camouflaged test mule of the Bajaj Pulsar SS200. The latest spy shots were taken near Bajaj's manufacturing facility in Chakan, Pune. These three bikes along with the Pulsar SS400 seem to be undergoing extensive testing as they have been spotted in and around Mumbai and Pune quite a few times now.
Like in the previous instances, the RC390 and RC200, which seem to have identical body, look production ready. The design and styling of both the bikes stays true to the model which was unveiled at EICMA 2013 in November, last year. Both these bikes will be built around the trellis frame seen on the two Duke models. The twin-headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs) and the angular faring lend the bike an aggressive stance. They also get clip-on handle-bars, wide fairing-mounted OVRMs, under belly exhaust system and LED tail lamps.
The liquid-cooled single-cylinder engines for the RC390 and the RC200 will also be borrowed from the Duke series. While the RC390 gets the 373.2cc engine producing 43.5bhp of power and 35Nm of torque, the RC200 will be powered by 199.5cc unit that produces 25bhp and 19Nm of torque. Both the engines get a six-speed gearbox.
The Pulsar SS200 on the other hand, will be powered by the same 199.5cc engine from the Pulsar NS200 which produces 23bhp and 18Nm of torque. The Bajaj SS200 will have the same body kit as that of the Pulsar SS400 and gets an aggressively sculpted fuel tank and fairing, dual headlamps, clip-on handlebar and split seats, just like the Pulsar SS400.
The Pulsar SS200 has also been spotted in a few Bajaj showrooms, which indicates that the launch is just around the corner. The RC-series will be manufactured at Bajaj’s manufacturing facility in Chakan, which will also serve as an export base for KTM’s foreign markets.
While other two-wheeler manufacturers are increasingly concentrating on development of scooters to increase their profitability, Bajaj is looking the other way by focusing solely on the higher end of the displacement scale. Acquisition of KTM has really helped Bajaj in the development of new engines and bikes, which is evident from the Pulsar NS200. The Austrian manufacturer has also helped the Indian company in expanding its footprint into Europe and many other parts of the world and increasing its profits.
Source: Motoroids