KTM 200 Duke

Expert Review by Maxabout

The 200cc naked street bike from KTM was introduced in the country in an attempt to cater to performance lover segment. The brand is known to produce highly sophisticated and differently engineered performance bikes. The KTM 200 Duke is no different. The 2017 edition of the entry-level street fighter has been launched with a few cosmetic changes. The 2017 KTM 200 Duke has been launched in India at an ex-showroom price of INR 1,43,500 (Delhi).

The new model disappointed a lot of KTM fans as they were expecting some major upgrades in terms of design and ABS for safety. But sadly, KTM India skipped all this and launched the 2017 BS4 model with new shades and graphics. The KTM 200 Duke proves to be a good product for brand loyalists and everyone who looks for the adrenaline rush in performance oriented bikes.

Dimensions & Weight

The new Duke is pretty much the same size. It has an overall length of 2002 mm and is 873 mm wide with a height of 1274 mm. The naked street bike has a seat height of 810 mm and delivers to a ground clearance of 165 mm. The bike is quite light with a wet weight of 148 kilograms, which is not much for a street bike in the segment.

Design & Style

The 2017 KTM 200 Duke retains the same design from the previous generation. It retains the underbelly exhaust instead of the side mounts as seen on the bigger models (250 & 390). The 200 Duke isn't much of a different piece when it comes to design and uses the same mould as found in the old models. The 200 Duke is far less bulkier than its elder siblings but gives you a sporty feel. It is a typical entry level KTM model which looks to provide a cost friendly model to the lovers of the brand. The black and orange paint job gives it a very premium brand appeal which KTM bikes are known for and suits the model well. The different thing about KTM is that their design is way different from options we see in Yamaha, Bajaj, Kawasaki etc.

Instrument Console

KTM bikes always get a fully equipped all-digital instrument console. This one on the machine is no different and displays digital trip meter, fuel gauge, speedometer, tachometer, and odometer. The console also gets the LED indicators which add to the utility and charm.

Engine & Gearbox

The small engine sized street fighter is powered by a 199.5cc liquid cooled engine which generates a maximum power of 24.6 bhp @ 10000 rpm and gives out a maximum torque of 19.2 Nm @ 8000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6 speed manual gearbox.

Top Speed & Performance

The KTM 200 Duke still utilities the highly refined DOHC engine which gives you an excellent throttle response. Also the bike has a perfect speed to gear ratio for excellent ride. The street bike is capable of making it to a top speed of 138 kmph and makes it from 0 to 100 kmph in about 9.2 seconds.

The bike is lightweight so it has a great power to weight ratio, much to the delight of the people going for an entry level Duke. The bike gets the best performance in the range of 4000 to 10,000 rpm. Being a KTM product the torque gives you a great push as you do not feel like switching so many gears due to the great response. 200 Duke proves to be a quality product.

Brakes & Suspension

The bike is equipped with a 300 mm front disc brake with 4 pot calliper and 230 mm rear disc brake with one pot calliper. The lack of ABS in such a premium bike which costs more than one lakh is a serious let down for the fans who look for the 2017 upgrade. KTM provides telescopic upside down forks suspension in the front and mono shock alloy swing arm on the rear end. The company provides 110/70 R17 front tyres and 150/60 R17 rear tyres.

Features and Comfort

KTM provides a very comfortable seat and ensures an upright driving position. The foot pegs are ably placed so that there is enough room for your knee while riding. Feature list on the bike is a letdown and the bike settles without an ABS. There is a digital instrument console but Duke 200 does not get LED headlamp or DRLs like KTM 390 Duke.

Variants & Shades

The single variant of KTM 200 Duke comes with standard specifications and minor upgrades. It is available in 3 regular shades of Orange, Black and White.

Pricing and Competition

The new KTM 200 Duke was the only worthy competitor in the 200 cc segment naked street bike but now it finds itself in a completely changed scenario. It has got some mention worthy rivalry from Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and Apache RTR 200. It is also to be noticed that the new 200 Duke is priced at INR 1,43,500 (ex-showroom Delhi). The cost is somehow justified that KTM is a very premium brand with better performance than its 200 cc rivals.

Verdict

Overall, KTM 200 Duke is for the fans of the brand who will settle for the least expensive offering from the Duke street bike range. Although it lacks the charm, something you find in the high end Duke variants, it still keeps up with good performance and standard looks. Now given the fact that the 200cc segment of naked street bikes is no longer a niche, the new bike is not a surprise. You can still buy a Pulsar NS200 or even Apache RTR 200 Fi in much less cost.

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