Bajaj KTM 125 / 200 – everything you wanted to know!

Here is a list of some of the key components and features of the new 125 / 200cc Bajaj KTM bike
1.    Tyres will be made by MRF. The new tyres for the bike in India will be called MRF Revz. Size would be 110/70R17 front and 150/60R17 rear.
2.    Wheelbase would be 1350mm, 5mm more than that of the Pulsar 180
3.    The bikes are engineered by KTM, designed by Kiska Design in Salzburg, developed jointly by Bajaj and KTM, and will be produced by Bajaj at Chakan
4.    KTM targets to sell the 125cc bike at a price of 3500 Euros (Rs 2.1 lakh) in Europe.
5.    The bikes will have replaceable panels and parts, so that you can change the colour and look of the bike easily. The seat, the headlight and the number plate mounts could be replaced to change the appearance. That’s an important thing according to KTM to make the bike ‘cool’ and appealing for the youngsters
6.    The engine is going to be a liquid-cooled twin overhead cam four-valve single motor, for both 125 and 200 versions
7.    Seat height would be close to 807mm
8.    Handlebars will allow for easy, comfortable read and will be available in gunmetal / satin silver and orange color options
9.    The 125cc mill will have a one piece crank, with a forged steel connecting rod with a three-rung piston and operating on a high 12.6:1 compression ratio
10.    The chain driven DOHC mill will run its four valves with ‘finger followers’ to reduce vibrations even at the peak 11000 rpm
11.    The ECU will be made in India by Bosch, and will control the FI for the bike
12.    The bike is Euro 3 compliant
13.    Cantilever monoshock at the rear, adjustable for spring preload, to allow for a passenger or luggage.
14.    Engine weight 28kgs
15.    43mm upside-down forks (non-adjustable), developed by WP in Austria but made in India by Endurance
16.    280mm Bybre steel disc with radially-mounted four-piston caliper up front
17.    230mm Bybre single piston rear brake
18.    Great sound, almost like a race motorcycle
19.    Smooth, vibe free engine
20.    Fully digital console

Apart from the 125cc and the 200cc derived from the same lump, KTM is also working on new 250cc and 300cc engines. These engines will almost be same in exterior dimension as the 125/200 and thus could be fitted in the same chassis. These engines, however, will arrive on the scene about 18months after the launch of the 125.
The company also wants to develop a 400 / 600 unit the way it’s working on the 125/200 project to grow along with its young customers, who would, at a later point want to graduate to the next level.
The exact launch dates of the 200cc for India are not known yet. However, we are expecting Bajaj to price it competitively in the Indian market. A sticker price that hovers around the promised 1.5 lakh for the CBr250R by Honda should be great. Although some sources have said that it’s going to launch only by December 2011, a mid-2011 launch sounds more probable to us. Fingers crossed!