KTM 250 Duke - Top 5 things you need to know

KTM pulled off quite a surprise with the launch of the KTM 250 Duke today. The 250 Duke is the newest entrant in KTM India's Duke range which now makes it a naked party of three. We list out 5 features you should know about it if you are on the lookout for an entry-level sports bike below Rs 2 lakh.

1. Design-

The 250 Duke gets new bodywork similar to the 2017 390 Duke, something the 200 Duke misses out on. The design language makes the 250 Duke look sharp and taut. The body panels are shared with the 390 Duke, with the different headlamp design and black frame and wheels (390 Duke gets orange frame and wheels) being the only changes. The Super Duke R inspired bodywork makes the 250 Duke the hottest looking 250cc bike in the market.

2. Cycle parts-

The 250 Duke comes with a revised frame that features a new bolt-on subframe that promises to deliver better mass centralisation and that should translate to better road manners. Suspension components are similar to the 390 Duke. The 250 Duke gets top-spec WP components in the form of 43mm open-cartridge forks up front and a WP monoshock at the rear. It does miss out on the 390 Duke's sticky Metzeler tyres and instead comes shod with MRF Revz C1 tyres that also do duty on the Bajaj Dominar 400. On the braking front, the 250 Duke comes with a 300mm front disc radially clamped with ByBre callipers and a 230mm rear disc. ABS isn't available even as an option which is quite sad as the model exported overseas gets it.

3. Motor-

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Powering the 250 Duke is a 249cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single that makes 30PS @ 9000rpm (5PS more than the 200Duke) and 24Nm of torque. Kerb weight is a scant 161kg and that gives the bike a power-to-weight ratio of 186.33PS per ton. The Benelli TNT 25, in comparison, makes 179.55PS per ton. The 6-speed transmission comes with a slipper clutch, a class-first. 

4. Price-

The 250 Duke is positioned right in the middle of the price gap left off by the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke.  While the 200 Duke retails at Rs 1.43 lakh (ex-Delhi) and the 390 Duke retails at Rs 2.26 lakh, the 250 Duke is priced at Rs 1.73 lakh (ex-Delhi) which allows prospective KTM buyers divided between the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke an easier way out. Despite offering better spec and features than the competition, KTM has managed to price the 250 Duke well. This is due to the fact that KTM was already manufacturing the 250 Duke from the Bajaj plant in Chakan, Pune, for export. The local manufacturing allows KTM to price the 250 Duke so competitively.

5. Competition check-

The 250 Duke faces competition in the form of the Benelli TNT 25 and Mahindra Mojo which are priced at Rs 1.84 lakh and Rs 1.69 lakh respectively (both prices ex-Delhi). While the 250 Duke sits between the two, it does offer a lot more in terms of style, performance and features. While the KTM 250 Duke makes 30PS, the Benelli TNT 25 makes 28.55PS and the Mahindra Mojo makes 27.19PS. The 250 Duke gets top-spec cycle parts in the form of WP (White Power) suspension and ByBre (Brakes by Brembo) brake components. When it comes to tyres, though, the 250 is the least specced of the three. The Mojo gets Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres while the TNT 25 gets Metzelers as an option. While both the TNT 25 and the Mojo get dated-looking instrument clusters, the 250 Duke features an updated all-digital instrument console that is the most comprehensive here. Also, of the three, it is KTM that has been able to establish a better brand value in India.