Hyosung RT 125 D: Can the maverick offering play the numbers game?

It was 2011. Hero split from Honda and launched its first motorcycle, the Impulse. It was a very good bike – comfortable, easy to ride and quite practical, especially in the Indian context wherein most small towns have poor road conditions.  But, it failed.

Come 2014, DSK Hyosung will attempt the same. Not the split, but introducing an on/off road motorcycle in India like the Impulse. For DSK Hyosung, it won’t be about making a statement. The Pune based bike maker wants to expand its portfolio. From being a maker catering to just high-end motorcycles from the GT 650R to GT 250R and the GV 650 Aquila Pro, DSK Hyosung now wants to go mass market. But, the company realises doing another Splendor or Discover or Shine isn’t the answer; it needs to bring in something fresh, something out of the ordinary and new to the table. And this where the RT 125 D comes in.

The RT 125 D as is visible in the picture is an offbeat looking motorcycle. With its tiny fuel tank to the long seat and an upswept exhaust, it looks more off-road than commuter. And its chunky rear tyre and the exposed frame near the neck area make it look… well, how should we say this… less normal perhaps. It’s clearly a motorcycle that commands a double take.

However, the different look doesn’t translate into a different or unusual or uncomfortable seating position. With its upright handlebar, neutrally placed footpegs and relatively low and wide seat, it won’t be any different to ride than any other 125cc motorcycle.

Yes, the RT 125 D is in fact a 125cc motorcycle; a 124cc motorcycle to be precise. And one that uses a single cylinder layout to pump out a handsome 13.5PS (for the engine capacity, mind). The only other 125cc motorcycle in the country with similar power figures in the Bajaj Discover 125ST, and we love the Bajaj’s wonderfully peppy nature. The RT 125 D doesn’t weigh a lot either; at 124kg it is again only as heavy as the Discover 125ST and the other truly popular motorcycle in this engine capacity group – the Honda CB Shine.

This should put the RT 125 D in a good position to target the commuter. But, would the commuter actually warm up to it? Now, we saw what happened with the Hero Impulse. One of the main reasons for its failure was its unique appeal, no matter how friendly. And to appreciate that appeal one had to get on the bike and ride it, and ride it for some distance. But, that never happened. Lack of communication on Hero’s part is to blame here. You see, the Indian commuter is risk averse. He isn’t willing to experiment. And with the RT 125 D not only does he have to accept a new type of motorcycle but a new brand in this space as well – Hyosung. But, if DSK Hyosung is able to convince this buyer to buy the RT and in a sizable number, we as a motorcycle market would have progressed a great deal. But, it will be an uphill task.

If DSK can’t get the commuter on board, it still has two sets of buyers who would need less cajoling - the female rider and the young, college going crowd. The female rider for one will love the fact that the RT looks so different from all the other manageable 125cc that their carpenters to office boys to family drivers ride. They will also appreciate the light weight and the low seat height. As for the college student, if a bike looks cool, is fuel efficient and it can take a few of the friends around, it’s half the battle.

Communication apart, the price of the RT 125 D will also decide its future in India. Could it come with a price tag rivaling the Discover 125 ST? If so, I’d give it thumbs up straight away. But, the chances are, it won’t. And its relatively high price tag might just prove to be the RT 125 D’s biggest folly for the commuter community might not warm up to it at all. And if it’s the women and students that DSK Hyosung is happy to address, well then, that’s not really going mass market, is it now?