The RC 160 will be KTM’s entry-level fully-faired supersports motorcycle in India as it replaces the RC 125 which was discontinued in April 2025
KTM India had launched the 160 Duke a couple of months back in Sep 2025 in the country. Now, it appears that the company is planning to expand its 160cc model line-up in the Indian market by introducing the RC 160. While KTM 160 Duke locks horns with Yamaha MT-15, the upcoming KTM RC 160 will be at loggerheads with Yamaha R15 in the domestic market. The RC 160 will be the brand’s entry-level fully-faired supersport motorcycle as it fills in the shoes of the RC 125 while positioned below the RC 200 in India.
Going by the spy images, KTM RC 160 will adorn the same design language as its bigger siblings in the KTM portfolio. The spied unit was draped in a dual-tone Black and Orange paint scheme. Sitting on a trellis frame, it gets USD front forks and alloy wheels in black colour. In addition, the RC 160 will boast of a bolt-on rear subframe. The spy shots suggest that the bike is production-ready and it could debut in the next few weeks in the domestic market.
Some of the prominent design highlights of the RC 160 are likely to be sculpted fuel tank, split seat setup, split rear grab rails, clip-on handlebars, rear-set footpegs and fairing-mounted ORVMs. It will have a comfortable riding posture. The stopping power is expected to come from disc brakes at both the ends, which will work in cooperation with the dual-channel ABS.
The RC 160 could be equipped with 17-inch wheels and fat tyres to offer better grip and traction on the road. The suspension duties will be performed by USD telescopic front forks and rear monoshock unit. KTM could offer the 5-inch fully digital LCD instrument panel with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation as standard equipment with the RC 160.
Yamaha R15 is retailed with a bidirectional quickshifter for smooth upshifting and downshifting of gears without the use of the clutch lever. So, in all likelihood, the RC 160 is also likely to get a bidirectional quickshifter. However, nothing is confirmed as of now and neither the spy pics indicate the inclusion of it. We can also expect the fully-faired bike to come with a slipper clutch.
Mechanically, KTM RC 160 will be powered by the tried-and-trusted 164cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled petrol engine which delivers top power of 18.7 bhp and highest torque of 15.5 Nm. The engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Stay tuned to this page for more updates on the same.
