KTM 125 Duke, 200 Duke, 250 Duke, 390 Duke Family Explained

We discuss the details, intent and competitors of the Duke family tree

With the launch of the new KTM 125 Duke, KTM India now has four naked bikes in its portfolio. The other three members of the Duke family are the 200 Duke, 250 Duke and 390 Duke. Here we discuss the mechanical details of the bikes and their intended audience. Let’s start with the newest and smallest one first.

125 Duke:

The 125 Duke is intended for newer and younger enthusiasts and riders eager to get into the KTM fold but are intimidated by the performance of the bigger Dukes. It gets a smaller 124.7cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor that makes 14.5PS at 9250rpm and 12Nm at 8000rpm, and has a six-speed gearbox. It shares its bodywork, features and underpinnings with the 200 Duke. Underpinings include a trellis frame, 43mm front upside-down forks and rear monoshock. It also gets fat 110/70 R17 front and 150/60 R17 rear profile MRF Revz tyres. Braking is via 300mm front and 230mm rear discs by ByBre. All this kit pushes pricing up to Rs 1.18 lakh (ex-showroom, Pune). While the 125 Duke competes with 160cc bikes like the TVS Apache RTR 160 and Bajaj Pulsar NS160, it should offer better dynamic ability with a tamer but distinctly KTM motor.

200 Duke:

This one has been a favourite among KTM enthusiasts. In fact, hardcore KTM enthusiasts love it even more than the KTM 390 Duke due to its performance at low speeds as well. Its rorty 199.5cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder motor makes 25.1PS at 10,000rpm and 19.2Nm at 8000rpm. This motor revs up quickly and ensures that you stay in the meat of the powerband. Accompanying this eager motor is the sharp chassis that makes the 200 Duke an engaging machine. KTM recently launched the ABS-equipped version (Rs 1.6 lakh) which is around Rs 8,000 more than the non-ABS 200 Duke (Rs 1.52 lakh). Its competitors include the TVS Apache RTR 200, Bajaj NS200, Hero Xtreme 200R and Yamaha FZ 25.

250 Duke:

This is the most civilized Duke in this list. The motor’s refinement and linear power delivery feels less KTM and more Honda-like. That said, the 248.8cc motor is quite a performer. It makes 30PS and 24Nm or torque. Its six-speed gearbox gets a slipper clutch. 

The 250 Duke shares the 390 Duke’s frame and bodywork with the exception of the headlamp and instrument console. It gets 43mm WP upside down ‘open cartridge’ forks and rear WP monoshock. It uses MRF REVZ tyres similar to the ones on the 200 Dukes but with a softer compound for better grip. Brake setup is similar to the 200 Duke but surprisingly, it does not get ABS even as an option. The 250 Duke is priced at Rs 1.8 lakh (ex-Delhi) and competes with the larger Bajaj Dominar 400 and Mahindra Mojo 300 XT.

390 Duke:

The 390 Duke remains the best value for performance among bikes below 600cc. It comes packed with kit and a single-cylinder motor that can teach other big bikes a thing or two about performance. The bike features a sharp design and looks more appealing than the other bikes here. It gets an LED headlamp and a full-colour TFT screen. Its 373.2cc liquid-cooled motor makes 43.4PS and 37Nm of torque. The motor features ride by wire for precise power delivery. 

It gets the same suspension setup as the 250 Duke but gets stickier and more premium Merzeler Sportec M5 tyres. Braking too gets a boost with a larger 320mm front disc and 230mm rear disc. It also gets dual-channel ABS setup with 3 modes: On, Off and Supermoto. Supermoto mode deactivates ABS on the rear wheel for supermoto-style riding. The 390 Duke competes with the BMW G310 R and Kawasaki Z250.