KTM 125 Duke: Who Is It For?

The newly-launched KTM 125 Duke falls in a segment populated by commuter motorcycles. So who exactly is the target audience?

With the introduction of the smallest Duke in KTM’s lineup, the Austrian bike manufacturer has completed their naked lineup as far as the affordable performance segment is concerned. But the 125cc segment in the country currently has only six other motorcycles- the Bajaj Discover 125, Bajaj V12, Hero Glamour, Hero Super Splendor, Honda CB Shine range and Yamaha Saluto 125. All six are commuter motorcycles, which makes the 125 Duke stand apart with its performance-oriented design and dynamics. So fuel efficiency is certainly not what KTM had in mind with this motorcycle.

Its power output - 14.5PS and 12Nm - is more in tune with 160cc naked bikes than 125s. However, the equipment level exceeds that of its rivals thanks to the inclusion of a trellis frame, WP USD forks and a monoshock. You even get a 300mm front and a 230mm rear disc with a single-channel ABS. Additionally, it also gets an info-laden instrument cluster which shows data like average efficiency and range, among other run-of-the-mill readings. Among its competition, the Yamaha YZF-R15 V3 is the only other motorcycle to have a cluster as detailed as this one. However, the R15 is not exactly a direct competitor as it is a faired motorcycle. There are no other naked 150cc bikes with a liquid-cooled engine and sporty underpinnings either. This leaves the KTM 125 Duke the only other alternative.

A couple of years ago, it would’ve been unthinkable to launch such a premium, performance-oriented 125cc motorcycle in India. But KTM India now believes that buyers who want everything that a KTM Duke has to offer but might find a 25-horsepower motorcycle (like the 200 Duke) a bit too intimidating exist. This 125cc bike will let such buyers get their hands on a KTM Duke that’s a lot easier to manage. Factor in the general perception that higher capacity motorcycles are less fuel efficient, the 125 Duke suddenly starts making more sense in a mileage-conscious market such as ours.

With motorcycles getting more expensive and the new five-year mandatory insurance rule, the 200 Duke nudges past Rs 2 lakh (on-road) in various cities. Hence, the 125 Duke’s Rs 1.18 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag should let buyers hop onto the KTM bandwagon at a more reasonable price point. Interestingly, when KTM launched the 200 Duke in India, it cost Rs 1.17 lakh (ex-Delhi). So the 125 Duke essentially keeps inflation in check at the cost of displacement.