Yamaha FZ25 vs TVS Apache RTR200 vs Bajaj Dominar 400 vs KTM 200 Duke: Spec Comparison Review

The Yamaha FZ25 is Yamaha's first naked offering in the 250cc segment and the most powerful locally-manufactured Yamaha in India. The FZ25 carries forward the design language of Yamaha's popular FZ series. Additionally, it also gets Automatic Headlamp On (AHO), LED headlamp and tail lamps, along with an all-digital LCD instrument console. The bike is priced at Rs 1.20 lakh (ex-Delhi) which makes it the most affordable 250cc bike available in India. At that price range, the FZ25 faces competition from TVS Apache RTR 200, Dominar 400 and KTM 200 Duke. We have compared these bikes to see how the FZ stacks up against its rivals.

Engine - 

The Yamaha FZ25 is powered by a fuel-injected, 249cc, single-cylinder air-cooled engine that makes 20.9PS at 8000rpm and a peak torque of 20Nm at 6000rpm, mated to a five-speed gearbox. The motor is not a high power and torque developing unit but is tuned to deliver a relaxed and comfortable riding experience in city traffic and highway conditions. The TVS Apache RTR 200 is powered by a 197.75cc mill which develops 20PS and 21PS at 8500rpm for the carbureted and fuel injected versions respectively, while the peak torque output is same at 18.1Nm at 7000rpm for both the variants that are mated to a five-speed gearbox. The Bajaj Dominar 400, on the other hand, gets a 373.3cc motor based on the 390 Duke which develops 35PS at 8000rpm and a peak torque of 35Nm at 6500rpm. The KTM 200 Duke is powered by the 199.5cc mill which produces 25 PS at 10,000rpm and a peak torque of 19.2Nm at 8000rpm. Both, the Dominar 400 and 200 Duke, get six-speed gearbox unit.

Features -

The FZ25 gets beefy telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock suspension unit at the rear. Braking is taken care of by a 282mm disc at front and a 220mm disc at the rear, while the bike gets MRF tyres. ABS has not been offered, to keep costs in check. However, it gets an all-digital LCD instrumental cluster, LED headlamps and taillamps. The Apache RTR 200 gets two engine variants - carburetted and fuel injected. It also features two tyre options, with the TVS rubber being standard and softer compound Pirelli tyres as an option. 

Additionally, the Apache RTR 200 also gets an all digital LCD instrumental cluster which boasts gear indicator, lap time indicator, top speed recorder, time indicator, service reminder, two trip meters, a short time indicator and a few more. It also gets LED pilot lamps and tail lamps. 

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On the other hand, the Dominar 400 has got a lot of firsts in its segment as far as features are concerned.Features like the dual channel ABS, full LED headlamp, slipper clutch are what are on offer. Moreover, it also gets features like the full LCD display and high operating altitude ability. The bike gets a 320mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear, telescopic suspensions at the front and a gas-charged monoshock unit at the rear while running on MRF tyres. The KTM 200 Duke gets a completely digital LCD instrument cluster and radial MRF tyres. The bike gets upside down forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear. Braking is handled by a 300mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc at the rear.    

Dimensions and cycle parts – 

While the FZ25 gets a diamond frame, the RTR 200 gets double cradle split synchro stiff frame, the Dominar 400 sits on a beam type perimeter frame and the KTM 200 Duke gets a steel trellis frame. The FZ25 has a 1360mm wheelbase while the TVS Apache RTR 200, Bajaj Dominar 400 and the KTM 200 Duke get 1353mm-, 1453mm- and 1367mm- long wheelbases respectively. The Dominar has the longest wheelbase here and the Apache RTR 200 has the shortest.

The 200 Duke, FZ25 and RTR 200 weigh exactly the same at 148 kgs, while the Dominar 400, at 182 kgs, is a whopping 34 kgs more than the other three bikes in the comparo. Though the weight of 200 Duke, RTR 200 and FZ25 are identical, the power to weight ratio of the 200 Duke makes it the most aggressive motorcycle of the trio. All the bikes feature disc brakes on both ends, while the Dominar 400 has the largest 320mm dia front disc and also gets ABS as an option. The FZ25 gets the biggest tank with 14 litres of fuel capacity while the 200 Duke, Dominar 400 and Apache RTR 200 get 11 litres, 13 litres and 12 litres of fuel storage respectively. 

Pricing -

The FZ25 is priced at Rs 1.20 lakh, the Apache RTR 200 at Rs 95,000  (FI), the Dominar 400 at Rs 1.50 lakh (ABS) and the 200 Duke is priced at Rs 1.44 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi). 

The Dominar 400 is the most expensive bike in the segment but it is also the most powerful, feature-laden and technically advanced motorcycle in the quad. The Yamaha FZ25, on the other hand, is the most powerful locally manufactured motorcycle by Yamaha in India and considering factors like the price at which it is offered, FZ1 inspired styling, comfortable riding position and smooth engine, it certainly makes a strong case for itself in the competition.

The 200 Duke and RTR 200 are smaller capacity motorcycles in this comparo, but are extremely value-for-money offerings from KTM and TVS. Both the bikes are excellently engineered products and if you have the extra cash to shell out, it’s definitely the KTM you should consider. The 200 Duke is capable of delivering the best performance and dynamics in the comparo and it gets the best cycle parts too.