KTM RC200 for 2B Riders

[sjyong]

Sharing my personal review of the CB190R that I personally own. Do your own research and find out what works best for you. Sports bike for commuting is often not a gd idea, unless you can handle the aggressive riding position. Numbers-wise, the CB190R appears to be very much inferior compared to the pulsar 200 NS/RS at similar price points (actually abit cheaper), but in real use, it's a very reliable machine, and it also turn heads. I have had countless of ppl chatting me up when I park my bike and asked me why I have a p-plate on a 'futuristic looking Super4'. Availability of parts and servicing is really very important. 5-speed and air-cool means poorer top speed and horsepower, but that's one less thing (coolant+ radiator) that will spoil and will really mess up ur engine if it fails and ur engine overheats. I dropped my bike once (yes it was a heartache) but thanks to my slider, I only got my oil tank fairing and front right signal light slightly scratched, but everything still works. No offense, but I've heard many things wrong with the pulsar: lights failing, indicators failing, chain snapping, ignition failing... All motorcycle will have parts failing sooner or later, but my impression is that the pulsars fail more often. You do get what u pay for. For a pulsar with similar specs to KTM at much cheaper, you do compromise on things. CB190R while chinese-made, is still a reliable machine. Name brand but chinese manufacturer vs chinese spin-offs are different things.

 

I beg to differ on the point of 2B Sport bikes having very aggressive riding position. The only few 2B sport bike that have aggressive riding position are R125, RC200, RS4, RS125 and those other european 125 bikes. The rest like CBR150, RS200 etc have raised clip ons handlebar and relatively low rearsets, making their posture much more upright than supersport motorcycles! I started on CBR150R, and liked how comfortable my arms and legs were, i decided to upgrade to something with similar posture (Currently riding the R3!).

 

About chain snapping... there's a chance anybody's chain will snap But i won't argue at the fact that CB190R is a overall sweet looking commute bike.

 

 

Actually, if any of the cylinders die, you can just get a mechanic to disengage the cylinder and remap the ECU and ride with reduced power. Just don't be a **** and scrap that bike when you're done with it. So a CBR1000R now becomes a "CBR750 Street Triple" lol.

 

Now i know what my next bike should be - an inline 4 so when 1 cylinder fails i have a triple, and if another one fails again i still got a parallel twin

[reize]

Now i know what my next bike should be - an inline 4 so when 1 cylinder fails i have a triple, and if another one fails again i still got a parallel twin

 

Just pray the cylinders that fail are the outside ones and not the center ones, otherwise you'll get thrown off balance easily

[silvermoon1407]

Agree with the part on track record, the CB190R is a relatively new bike, so I take that comment back. (Although the bike has so far instilled much confidence to my riding. Ok maybe that's bias again)

 

Number of cylinders... I believe it's a whole different concept. Number of cyclinders directly affect ur pickup/topspeed/FC almost proportionally, and it's up to the owner to decide what he/she value more. Failing of any cylinder in a multi-cyliner engine... I dunno much about that.

 

But I still stand by my comment about the air-cooling vs liquid-cooling. As I've said, air cool requires much less maintenance than liquid-cooled machines. Higher performance engines need to be liquid-cooled to maintain it, similar to computer overclocking. Then now the question is, do you actually need a liquid-cooled 200cc and work it to the max to get every ounce of performance outta it, or would a simple air-cooled engine suffice? It's up to the individual. similar for manual vs auto transmission, FI vs carb, all these will have a compromise between ease of maintenance and performance. Why do ppl like their Honda Waves? Because little maintenance is required for the performance they can give to the rider.

 

I'm also a spec guy, and I'm a pro photographer before having interest in biking. I can tell you, camera spec sheets versus their actual use is very different. So take spec sheets with a pinch of salt.

[lkm]

Now i know what my next bike should be - an inline 4 so when 1 cylinder fails i have a triple, and if another one fails again i still got a parallel twin

 

And if the stars aligned and you get a third cylinder failing, you'll still end up with a thumper. =P

[sjyong]

 

But I still stand by my comment about the air-cooling vs liquid-cooling. As I've said, air cool requires much less maintenance than liquid-cooled machines. Higher performance engines need to be liquid-cooled to maintain it, similar to computer overclocking. Then now the question is, do you actually need a liquid-cooled 200cc and work it to the max to get every ounce of performance outta it, or would a simple air-cooled engine suffice? It's up to the individual. similar for manual vs auto transmission, FI vs carb, all these will have a compromise between ease of maintenance and performance. Why do ppl like their Honda Waves? Because little maintenance is required for the performance they can give to the rider.

 

 

I've never owned an air-cooled bike, but i'm thankful to have a liquid cooled bike because especially whenever i'm stuck at the checkpoint going into Johor hahaha

 

And if the stars aligned and you get a third cylinder failing, you'll still end up with a thumper. =P

 

What could possibly go wrong right

 

Just pray the cylinders that fail are the outside ones and not the center ones, otherwise you'll get thrown off balance easily

 

What are the odds

[lkm]

But I still stand by my comment about the air-cooling vs liquid-cooling. As I've said, air cool requires much less maintenance than liquid-cooled machines. Higher performance engines need to be liquid-cooled to maintain it, similar to computer overclocking. Then now the question is, do you actually need a liquid-cooled 200cc and work it to the max to get every ounce of performance outta it, or would a simple air-cooled engine suffice? It's up to the individual. similar for manual vs auto transmission, FI vs carb, all these will have a compromise between ease of maintenance and performance. Why do ppl like their Honda Waves? Because little maintenance is required for the performance they can give to the rider.

 

Hahah... You are correct. I'm TOTALLY with you here - I agree that air-cooled engines require 1 less maintenance procedure as compare to liquid-cooled ones. And that is cool (pun intended) for some people. I apologise if it sounded the other way around. I am NOT rubbishing air-cooled engines, and they definitely have their place. But what I was really trying to highlight is in the *context* of this PARTICULAR discussion.

 

since the thought of not upgrading any further so why not get a close to 200CC bike.

honestly I want a 200cc bike. Would not want a lesser cc bike tho.

TS was originally looking at the KTM RC200. It's arguably the amongst quickest and fastest 4-stroke 2B bikes available. Also, he has mentioned several times that he's looking for something close to 200cc, and not even considering anything (much) lesser. So, I personally inferred - though I could be wrong - that the TS is looking for PERFORMANCE (and also LOOKS. But that's a very personal thing.) in a machine. And if so, a 6-speed liquid-cooled machine WILL suit his (performance) needs better than a 5-speed air-cooled one, isn't it?

[lkm]

I've never owned an air-cooled bike, but i'm thankful to have a liquid cooled bike because especially whenever i'm stuck at the checkpoint going into Johor hahaha

 

The reason why I personally have a tinge of phobia with air-cooled bikes is that I once got (very lightly) burnt by the radiating engine heat on one of BBDC's air-cooled CB125's while doing my 2B course. I had originally thought that this "hot shin hot calf" syndrome in slow traffic was common to motorcycle riding, but I think liquid cooled engines control that quite well.

Edited August 26, 2016 by lkm

[reize]

The reason why I personally have a tinge of phobia with air-cooled bikes is that I once got (very lightly) burnt by the radiating engine heat on one of BBDC's air-cooled CB125's while doing my 2B course. I had originally thought that this "hot shin hot calf" syndrome in slow traffic was common to motorcycle riding, but I think liquid cooled engines control that quite well.

 

Wow, you can get burnt by a CB125?

 

I rode an FZ16 for 3+ years before i bought my DRZ and I never once could even feel the heat radiating, much less get burnt.

 

Fast forward to the DRZ, that **** gets ****ing hot even with the liquid cooling + fan. Can't stand riding in the afternoon for longer than 5km without wearing jeans cause once my ambient temp hits like 41C the fan kicks in and blows all the heat to my thighs.

[lkm]

Wow, you can get burnt by a CB125?

 

You have to realise that riding conditions in a riding school circuit is VERY different from the real world. It was heavy traffic under the mid-afternoon sun and ALL the traffic are slow-coached L-platers!! LOL!

[reize]

You have to realise that riding conditions in a riding school circuit is VERY different from the real world. It was heavy traffic under the mid-afternoon sun and ALL the traffic are slow-coached L-platers!! LOL!

 

I too was a 2B Learner before mah, did it on a YBR125. Cool as hell, felt like I was riding a bicycle than motorcycle looking back.

[silvermoon1407]

 

TS was originally looking at the KTM RC200. It's arguably the amongst quickest and fastest 4-stroke 2B bikes available. Also, he has mentioned several times that he's looking for something close to 200cc, and not even considering anything (much) lesser. So, I personally inferred - though I could be wrong - that the TS is looking for PERFORMANCE (and also LOOKS. But that's a very personal thing.) in a machine. And if so, a 6-speed liquid-cooled machine WILL suit his (performance) needs better than a 5-speed air-cooled one, isn't it?

 

Correct. But I'm also coming from the direction where I would, as a fellow new rider, to provide some insight as well as suggestion to whether 'going for the highest capacity/bhp 2B' (I refrain from using the word "performance") is the right way to go. If you absolutely need the speed and acceleration even for your commuting needs, then go for it. But if it's just a mindset issue (that maxing out ur class 2b makes it more worthwhile kinda thing), and the prospective new rider need to rethink his options.

 

On another note, I nv actually felt my CB190R was hot because engine was air-cooled. Probably because I wear long pants and covered shoes (my absolute minimum when it comes to safety), and also because I'm cruising most of the time. The fin area is also covered with my engine guard/frame slide (an essential accessory to get regardless of bike), exhaust pipe design is unobtrusive (close to zero % change of getting burnt unless you really wanna burn urself) . And to digress even further, it's possible to modify air-cooled engine to an air+oil cooled (channeling engine oil to radiator to dissipate heat) engine with a simple add-on, thou still not as gd as liquid cooling in terms of heat dissipation.

[lkm]

If you absolutely need the speed and acceleration even for your commuting needs, then go for it. But if it's just a mindset issue (that maxing out ur class 2b makes it more worthwhile kinda thing), and the prospective new rider need to rethink his options.

 

Heheheh.... If we all really think about it, it's VERY SELDOM a NEED for more power.... always a WANT.... =P

[mdabdillah]

With all the discussion going on, I've still yet to make a decision on which bike to get as money is an issue of course and apparently, earlier on, I just weave by a several Super4, and my god the sound of it is just superb. In my OP, I may say that I don't intend to upgrade to a higher class, but I've also read about 2a/2 bikes, super 4 being the most common out there I would say interest me too but that is a long way to go for me. Who knows, I might use the bike for commuting to work when i have a family and a car for family usage.

 

I'm still hovering between the RS200, RC200 and CBR190. Worst come to worst if I were to drop the cc, I would go for either a R15v2 or FZ16. But the main thing that I'm attached to is the big tank on RS200, RC200. Yes I can go for the 2a bikes and have the bigger tank but that is roughly a year later. I would want a 2b bike with a big tank so when if I were to port over to 2a bike, I will not have difficulties being comfortable with a big tank bike.

[lkm]

With all the discussion going on, I've still yet to make a decision on which bike to get as money is an issue of course and apparently, earlier on, I just weave by a several Super4, and my god the sound of it is just superb. In my OP, I may say that I don't intend to upgrade to a higher class, but I've also read about 2a/2 bikes, super 4 being the most common out there I would say interest me too but that is a long way to go for me. Who knows, I might use the bike for commuting to work when i have a family and a car for family usage.

 

I'm still hovering between the RS200, RC200 and CBR190. Worst come to worst if I were to drop the cc, I would go for either a R15v2 or FZ16. But the main thing that I'm attached to is the big tank on RS200, RC200. Yes I can go for the 2a bikes and have the bigger tank but that is roughly a year later. I would want a 2b bike with a big tank so when if I were to port over to 2a bike, I will not have difficulties being comfortable with a big tank bike.

 

LOL! Decisions, decisions, decisions.... Yeah - I think my ideal all-rounder bike would be the Super4 or the CB400X. But, hey! This is Singapore. And our tiered licensing system is a PITA for new riders.

 

By "big tank" you really mean weight, don't you? Coz at 10L, the RC200's fuel tank is not exactly very big.

[lkm]

BTW, have you obtained your 2B license already? Or are you in the midst of taking lessons?

[mdabdillah]

Big tank in appearance wise I mean.

 

Still in the midst. But I wouldn't want to like after I finish my pracs and test, then i start to survey. Would be abit late. I prefer to research in the midst of it so just nice when I finish, I know what I want and I'll go for it.

[lkm]

When is your TP test date?

[sjyong]

With all the discussion going on, I've still yet to make a decision on which bike to get as money is an issue of course and apparently, earlier on, I just weave by a several Super4, and my god the sound of it is just superb. In my OP, I may say that I don't intend to upgrade to a higher class, but I've also read about 2a/2 bikes, super 4 being the most common out there I would say interest me too but that is a long way to go for me. Who knows, I might use the bike for commuting to work when i have a family and a car for family usage.

 

I'm still hovering between the RS200, RC200 and CBR190. Worst come to worst if I were to drop the cc, I would go for either a R15v2 or FZ16. But the main thing that I'm attached to is the big tank on RS200, RC200. Yes I can go for the 2a bikes and have the bigger tank but that is roughly a year later. I would want a 2b bike with a big tank so when if I were to port over to 2a bike, I will not have difficulties being comfortable with a big tank bike.

 

see i told you so You will definitely have the itch to upgrade. Personally i feel that 2A bikes are the most ideal to ride in Singapore. For me, having a class 2 bike would be more like a luxury. I am going to take my class 2 next year but unlikely i will upgrade my bike because of the cost that is going to be involved haha

 

If you want something that feels similar to CB400 in terms of size, i recommend FZ16. FZ16 can go over 400km with a full tank. Good fuel consumption.

[lkm]

see i told you so You will definitely have the itch to upgrade.

 

LOL!! I think these discussions have made TS think really hard...

[sjyong]

LOL!! I think these discussions have made TS think really hard...

 

i told him so since my first reply to this thread

[reize]

If you want something that feels similar to CB400 in terms of size, i recommend FZ16. FZ16 can go over 400km with a full tank. Good fuel consumption.

 

Eh, not really, I had an FZ16 for over 3 years. Bought it brand new some more.

 

It's only 28kmpl during my first year, dropped to 23kmpl by my third year. Never gotten anywhere near 400km on a full tank even with reserve. At most hit like 300km.

[mdabdillah]

I had eyes on FZ16 too because of the fact the fuel consumption was quite good compared to the others. If money on petrol is an issue, I would definitely get that. But I'm the kind who sometimes would put appearance > quality. In this case, I want a nice bike, with a big tank(appearance wise) + sports look. My best bet would be a RS200 I believe. I've come to realized, RC200 for 2b is really out of the list already.

[lkm]

I had eyes on FZ16 too because of the fact the fuel consumption was quite good compared to the others. If money on petrol is an issue, I would definitely get that. But I'm the kind who sometimes would put appearance > quality. In this case, I want a nice bike, with a big tank(appearance wise) + sports look. My best bet would be a RS200 I believe. I've come to realized, RC200 for 2b is really out of the list already.

 

Now then the next question would be, What colour? Red, yellow or black? Heehee....

[silvermoon1407]

CB190R fuel economy is 45-55km/l x 12l

[silvermoon1407]

Eh, not really, I had an FZ16 for over 3 years. Bought it brand new some more.

 

It's only 28kmpl during my first year, dropped to 23kmpl by my third year. Never gotten anywhere near 400km on a full tank even with reserve. At most hit like 300km.

 

Did you not break in properly?