KTM 250 Duke vs Bajaj Pulsar N250: Image Comparison

KTM India recently updated the 250 Duke with the same TFT screen as its elder sibling, the 390 Duke. So now how does the 250 Duke compare against the Bajaj Pulsar N250? Lets us take a detailed look at them:

Design

The updated KTM 250 Duke gets the same steel trellis frame as the one on its elder sibling, the 390 Duke. Its styling is now quite aggressive thanks to the ‘Duke 250’ graphics on the tank. The updated version is now equipped with a new LED headlight surrounded by floating LED daytime running lights (DRLs). The alloy wheel design is inspired by the KTM 390 Duke as well. It is offered in three vibrant colour choices: Ceramic White, Electric Orange and Atlantic Blue. 

The Bajaj Pulsar N250 is built on a diamond frame and looks quite sporty thanks to its tank extensions and the split LED DRLs which look similar to the Yamaha MT-15. The alloy wheels look quite nice and so does the bronze-coloured engine cover.  

Engine

The KTM 250 Duke gets a  250cc single cylinder liquid-cooled engine which makes 31PS at 9,250rpm and 25Nm at 7,250rpm and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox along with a bi-directional quickshifter.

The Bajaj Pulsar N250 gets a 249.07cc air/oil-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 24.5PS at 8,750rpm and 21.5Nm at 6,500rpm. This engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox along with a slip-and-assist clutch.

Underpinnings                                                                                                     

The KTM 250 Duke gets a USD fork and a preload-adjustable monoshock. The brakes consist of a 320mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends. The bike tips the scales at 162.8kg kerb and has a seat height of 800mm which can also be increased to 820mm by purchasing the accessory seat from KTM itself. The fuel tank capacity is 15-litres. 

The Bajaj Pulsar N250 also gets a telescopic fork and a monoshock. Braking is taken care of by a 300mm disc up front and a 230mm disc at the rear. It gets 17-inch wheels at both ends, and a fuel tank capacity of 14 litres. It has a seat height of 800mm, ground clearance of 165mm and a kerb weight of 164kg.

Features

The KTM 250 Duke is the more feature-rich bike of the two. It gets a 5-inch TFT screen and LED DRLs from the 3rd generation of the 390 Duke.. The new TFT screen comes with switchable rear ABS, a lap timer, new switches, a type-C charging port, Bluetooth connectivity, two riding modes: Street and Track, and even a lap timer. it also gets turn-by-turn navigation and call/SMS alerts. 

The Bajaj Pulsar N250 gets an LCD screen along with Bluetooth connectivity for calls and SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation. The console also shows speedometer, odometer, fuel level, distance to empty, mileage, and an USB charging port. It gets ABS modes: Road, Rain and On/Off Road, and switchable traction control (which can only be switched off in On/Off Road mode).

Verdict

The KTM 250 Duke gets more features, makes more power, gets better equipment and is sportier than the Bajaj Pulsar N250. And obviously, the Duke’s prices are higher too. The KTM costs Rs 2,45,115 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and the Bajaj Pulsar N250 starts from Rs 1,51,901 (ex-showroom, Delhi), almost Rs 1 lakh less than the KTM! If you are someone who is looking for a value for money option and would not mind a little less performance, then the Bajaj Pulsar N250 is the right fit for you. If you are someone who wants the latest tech on their motorcycles, more power and would not mind spending a little extra, look no further than the KTM 250 Duke.