2021 KTM 125 Duke: Same Price, Other Options

Find the updated KTM 125 Duke a bit too expensive for its class? Well, it is. Here are some other options to consider

The 2021 KTM 125 Duke was recently launched in India. It may have sporty bodywork and the works but at Rs 1,50,010, it is quite expensive for its class, notwithstanding the fact that it is still the most affordable KTM in India. If the baby Duke is not up to your tastes, you can choose from a variety of more powerful, more feature-packed options for less or around the same price. Here’re our picks:

Yamaha R15 V3 - Price: Rs 1,49,000

The Yamaha R15 V3 is one of the most value-for-money faired bikes in its segment, priced at Rs 1,49,000. It packs a bigger, more powerful engine that churns out 18.6PS and 14.1Nm. Apart from being more powerful, the R15 V3 is also packed with modern features like Variable Valve Actuation (VVA), LED headlamp and a proper dual-channel ABS. The VVA technology helps in maintaining a balance of low-end grunt and top-end drive.

The only grinch is that some might feel the riding position a bit too committed for everyday use. So, overall, the Yamaha R15 V3 is perfect if you want corner-carving performance with an aggressive stance to match. It’s a great learner’s bike to hone your skills on the racetrack too.

Yamaha FZ25 - Price: Rs 1,52,100

For those who feel the Yamaha R15 V3 a bit too extreme, enter the Yamaha FZ25. At Rs 1,52,100, it is just around Rs 2,000 more than the KTM 125 Duke and offers a much more torquier engine and butch styling to match. Its 249cc air-cooled engine with oil cooler may not be as sophisticated as the 125 Duke’s liquid-cooled unit, but it generates a rather decent 20.8PS of power and 20.1Nm of torque. Despite packing a bigger engine, it is lighter than the Duke by 6kg, at 153kg kerb.

If you’re looking for a sporty motorcycle with good low-end grunt and comfortable ergonomics, the Yamaha FZ25 is hard to ignore. And like the R15, this motorcycle gets dual-channel ABS for better safety.

Hero XPulse 200 with rally kit - Price: Rs 1,51,730

If playing in the dirt is more your style, then the Hero XPulse 200 is by far the most affordable option out there. It undercuts the new KTM 125 Duke by a whopping Rs 36,220. And if you spend Rs 38,000 over the price of the XPulse 200, you can get the Rally Kit, which includes a pair of longer-travel, adjustable suspension, Maxxis offroad tyres, bench seat, handlebar risers, extended gear lever (to go with off-road riding boots), and extra ground clearance (275mm). 

These upgrades should make it a lot more capable off the road. At just around Rs 1,700 over the baby Duke, the Hero XPulse 200 with the rally kit is the most wholesome offroad-centric package one can get on a budget. However, do note that the new seat is 878mm tall, a whole 55mm more than the standard seat. So, shorter riders may not find it all that easily maneuverable, especially with the rally kit. 

Royal Enfield Bullet 350 ES - Price: Rs 1,42,705

The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is one of the most iconic retro motorcycles in the country. The ES variant is priced at Rs 1,42,705 and is the second most affordable Royal Enfield bike in India after the Bullet 350. This variant comes with aesthetic upgrades like a matte-black powertrain finish, all-black bodywork with coloured fuel tank, and premium 3D tank logo. 

Its 20.07PS and 28Nm motor may be more powerful and torquier than the KTM 125 Duke but its character is quite relaxed and isn’t anywhere nearly as high-revving as the baby Duke’s heart. This coupled with the  comfortable riding posture and spacious seat makes it a great bike to travel long distances albeit at a leisurely pace. If ‘dug-dug-ing’ around town is your thing, then look no further than the Bullet. 

Yamaha MT-15 - Price: Rs 1,43,900

The Yamaha MT-15 is essentially the more comfortable, more practical version of the R15 V3.0. It shares the same engine and underpinnings as its faired sibling but its rear sprocket is slightly larger, which favours acceleration at the cost of outright top speed. This coupled with the upright ergonomics and single-piece seat make it ideal for the city. 

Yamaha offers a variant with customisable colours. You can choose between a number of colour options for the body panels as well as the wheels. This unique variant is priced at Rs 1,43,900, which is still a whole 6,110 less than the KTM 125 Duke, which is available only in two colours: white and orange.

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.