A redesigned exhaust and the removal of the silencer protector will increase the ground clearance of the bikes by 20mm.
KTM India is likely working on improving the ground clearance of the 125 Duke, 200 Duke and RC200, according to our sources. To do so, the company is supposedly fitting a new exhaust system and removing the silencer protector that we see in the current models. These changes will result in an increase in ground clearance by 20mm, to 175mm in the Dukes and 176mm in the RC200.
The ground clearance of the KTM 125 Duke, 200 Duke, and the RC200, was affected when making changes to comply with the BS6 emission norms; these changes included routing the exhaust under the bike’s belly and the installation of a silencer protector. Now, with the additional 20mm clearance, the chances of the bottom of these bikes scraping over tall speed breakers will reduce significantly. That said, it is imperative that one adjusts the preload settings on the monoshock appropriately, say while riding with a pillion.
Also, whether the revised exhaust system will affect the sound is something we will find out when we test the bikes in person.
What other bikes do you feel need an increase in ground clearance? Let us know in the comments.