KTM launched the Duke 390, Duke 200 and the newest to the lineup, KTM Duke 250 today and while the previous two have more changes in the flesh, Duke 250 is an all new killing machine in KTM’s sub-500cc series.
2017 KTM Duke 200 is priced at Rs 1,43,500, the Duke 390 has a price tag of Rs 2,25,730 and the all new KTM Duke 250 has been launched at Rs 1,73,000 (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi).
KTM has attracted millions of people to their showroom with Duke 200 and Duke 390 as they are the best value for money sub-500cc motorcycles in India, giving both daily commute and track like performance with the throttle. There haven’t been many companies to compete the KTM lineup when it comes to sales charts either and the recently updated RC 200 and RC 390 models have further increased the style quotient in the lineup.
There were two things that never hit the right strings with consumers when it came to the KTM bikes, the loud underbelly exhaust system and the 10.5-liter fuel tank. However, with the RC update, the former had been done away with and 2017 Duke update has come up with a larger tank.
After overcoming the two major problems, let’s see what these single-cylinder beasts have to offer as a whole package.
2017 KTM Duke 390 (Those bifurcated headlamps with LEDs will just blow your mind)
The 2017 KTM Duke 390 will come with the same 373.2cc, single -cylinder, 4-stroke Liquid cooled engine, churning out 42HP of peak power and 37 Nm of peak torque. While the powertrain is mated to an updated six-speed transmission, the engine has been certified as BS-IV compliant, same as RC 390.
The biggest and the most important changes in 2017 Duke 390 are in the design department. Taking inspiration from the KTM 1290 Super Duke, the new 390 Duke comes with a new bolt-on rear subframe, a larger fuel tank (13.5 L) and steeply rising body lines that have taken the naked superbike looks to the highest level. Orange has been used more on the frame, with white color being infused in the graphics. The 2017 Duke 390 will come with a high-tech TFT display, which is a segment-first. Moreover, it features an optional MY RIDE multimedia interface that allows you to link your smartphone with the more meaner mid-engined bike, which will be connected to the TFT display.
The new bodywork and addition of a conventional exhaust system have increased the weight by 10 kg and Duke 390 now weighs 149 kg. It sports the new 43mm WP upside-down separate function forks and the suspension travel has been decreased to 142mm from 150mm, diminishing the wobbly feeling on bumpy roads. Further, the ground clearance has also been increased to 185mm from 170mm, in order to prevent the belly from scrapping.
The 2017 KTM 390 Duke gets a larger 320mm front disc brake in the front, another segment first and the single-piston floating calliper 230mm rear disc brake has been carry forwarded in the bike with the dual-channel ABS. The clutch and brake lever are now adjustable.
2017 KTM Duke 250 (The Game Changer)
Earlier, the Duke 250 was exported from India to other international markets, but this KTM has realized the opportunity and has launched the 2017 edition here, which is actually a very big surprise as we never expected the 250 to come any sooner than 2018.
The 2017 KTM 250 Duke reflects the same styling as the new 390 Duke, however, LED headlamp and TFT screen have been saved for the big brother. It rather features an updated LCD console to keep the cost as low as possible for the Indian market.
A 248.8cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled engine powers the KTM’s wild-card, giving out 30PS of power and 24Nm of peak torque. The body frame and parts are similar to the 2017 390 Duke except for the front disc brake, which has a 300mm diameter. The color scheme is also more inclined towards white, as opposed to Orange in the bigger displacement bike.
The new Duke 390 brings more of performance without a premium price tag or power of the 390, offering just the right balance between both the worlds and the model should find a lot of takers in the Indian market. Its rivals include the Benelli TNT 25, Mahindra Mojo and Yamaha FZ-25.
2017 KTM Duke 200 (As flawless as ever or not so?)
The Duke 200 still comes with a 199.5 cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled engine, producing 25PS of peak power peak torque of 19 Nm which is mated to a six-speed gearbox. It also retains the wheelbase of 1367 mm, still measures 2050 mm in length, 730 mm in width and 810 mm in height and has a ground clearance of 178 mm, fuel efficiency being 35 Kmpl.
The engine is now BS-IV compliant and the wheels color theme has been turned to Orange to give it a more sportier look. The 2017 KTM 200 Duke has been launched with a new LED headlight, an updated digital instrument cluster along with inverted front forks and mono-shock at the back, coupled with both front and rear disc brakes.
However, the exhaust system is still the underbelly one and fuel tank capacity remains the same in 2017 KTM Duke 200 and it looks like the company is not will to experiment with an already high-selling product.
Moreover, we are expected an all new, next generation KTM Duke 200 in 2018 and this might be the reason behind only the visual changes in the current model.
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