KTM 125 DUKE

KTM 125 DUKE TEST RIDE & REVIEW

SIMILAR TO KTM 200 DUKE

The KTM 125 Duke is smaller in all dimensions when we first look onto this KTM, especially from the side angle. The front LED headlight boasts unique shape and design which is an unconventional one. There is nothing striking thing in the rear whether being the tail light, side indicators and large nameplate board. The design is a lot cleaner now and the ‘Duke’ sticker work is more on the funnier side. KTM decided to stick onto the underbelly exhaust instead of side slinging one to bring more cleanliness to the overall motorcycle.

While looking on from the side, orange coloured alloy wheels is really a contrasting one while the engine cowl and underbelly exhaust are the other noteworthy things. This design is very much similar to the earlier KTM 200 Duke. The exposed frame around the engine adds a premium feel to the KTM 125 Duke. There are three colour options available in the form of white, black and orange. The build quality of the overall motorcycle is top notch, premium and there are no issues whatsoever.

TOP END PERFORMER

This 124.7cc liquid cooled, four valve, DOHC mill pumps out 14.7PS of power @ 9,250rpm and also spits out 12Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. In the lower rev range, the engine feels short on power and lacks punch. However, the sound from this 125cc mill is loud enough but deepness and bass are not that much compared to elder siblings. As the revs pass the 7000rpm, the really fierce and intense character is exhibited by the engine lasting up to the around 10,000rpm mark. Mileage figures are really impressive even with such performing engine. It returns 40-45km/l in cities and 46-51km/l in the highways.


Still, the engine takes time to get past 100km/h mark which is clearly evident after 80km/h and lags behind some of the 160cc’s performance. The feedback from the clutch is perfectly weighted, light and simple to operate. The KTM 125 Duke comes mated with a 6-speed gearbox with claw shifting mechanism providing precise and accurate gearshifts. The gear ratios are on the shorter side and so the rider has the option to go pass through gears in a quick manner.

AGGRESSIVE ERGONOMICS

The KTM 125 Duke uses an impressive steel fabricated trellis frame, which is very lightweight, rigid and offers great strength. The front section features WP upside-down forks and linkage-free mono shock suspension is used at the rear which is also from the experts WP. The ride quality is slightly stiff and does the job decently in undulated and worst Indian roads. While on crowded cities, astute manoeuvring and decent kerb weight make matters ease. When taken onto highways or for long hauls, the aggressive ergonomics like rear set foot pegs, wide handlebars make it tiring and less pleasant to ride.


The riding posture is very sporty with footpegs set in a really backward position. Wide tank knee recesses provide adequate and good grip for thighs but it is cramped for tall riders. Tube type wide handlebar is light and gives the rider an ample amount of feedback. The Brakes offered on Duke 125 is from the Brembo subsidiary-Bybre with front containing the 300mm disc with two-pot brake calliper while 230mm disc brake with one-pot brake calliper at the rear. Bite and feedback from the brakes are good enough along with the addition of Bosch single-channel ABS.

STUFFED WITH FEATURES

Four-valve, DOHC liquid-cooled engine, Single channel ABS, Multi-information display with real-time mileage indicator, Underbelly exhaust, WP suspension system, Inverted forks, Trellis frame, Bybre brakes and MRF Revz Tyres are the features offered by.