2017 KTM Duke 200 Review
Bike Tested: 2017 KTM Duke 200; Road Test No. 892; Test Location: Chakan
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 1,69,489/-
Eager is the word that comes to mind when we think of the KTM Duke 200
For the country’s biker fraternity, the period between 2008 and 2012 was packed with a lot of excitement as several manufacturers went about testing the waters with promising products. KTM made a strong first impression with the Duke 200 at around the same time and grew from complete ambiguity to the leading position in the performance segment over the span of a decade. This year, the Austrian brand revamped its product portfolio where the Duke 200 continued without significant changes. Many believe that the baby Duke has lost its relevance with the arrival of the quarter-litre Katoom, or has it? A brief spin astride the 2017 Duke 200 was enough for us to provide a copper-bottomed verdict.
Motor Quest: Launched in January 2012, the KTM Duke 200 was the first product resulting from the Bajaj-KTM alliance. Based on user feedback, the Orange brand has been updating the Duke 200 time and again. But in a typical German fashion, the updates have been very minute save for the last one. Also the most affordable of the company’s five product lineup, the 2017 Duke 200 is sold through over 325 outlets spread across the country.
Trademark orange wheels play a vital role in uplifting the Duke’s character
Styling – Enthusiasts were madly in love with KTM’s design philosophy when it was launched in 2012. Pop colours and a brazen-faced stance engulfed in a street fighter silhouette ensured that the Duke 200 stood out from the crowd. KTM rolled out the Duke 250 and 390 with a sharper design language which is an evolution of the original design. The Duke 200, however, continues to stick to the 5-year old form with the changes being limited to an updated paint scheme and flashy orange rims. Integrating seamlessly with the tail section is the 10.2-litre fuel tank which gives the baby Duke a mature attitude. Although there’s no hiding the age of this motorcycle, it still remains an eye-candy with terrific road presence. Fit & finish remains top-notch, as usual.
One can only imagine the bang this loaded console would have created 5 years back!
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Referred to as the ‘digital cockpit’ in KTM terminology, the 2017 Duke 200 is endowed with the same all-digital unit which was first seen in 2012. Also shared with the more-expensive Duke 250, this light-sensitive display throws out a multitude of information – including the speedometer, tachometer, odometer, two trip meters, distance to empty, distance to service, time, gear position indicator, average speed, engine temperature and average fuel consumption – which results in a cluttered layout that makes it difficult to grasp data in one go!
Note the absence of headlamp switch from the right-side handlebar controls
Placed around the orange-backlit display are various warning lights and icons including side stand warning, neutral indicator, high beam indicator and an immensely helpful shift light. Sizeable buttons to fiddle with the display are aptly positioned on the left. Carried over from the outgoing model, backlit switchgear feels premium and intuitive to use. There are no rough edges and all wires are neatly tucked. As part of the 2017 update, the Duke 200 gets rid of the headlamp switch and receives AHO (all-time headlamp ON) functionality.
Wide rear view mirrors with chunky stems look as good as they function!
Ergonomics – For average heighted riders, the Duke 200’s riding position offers an exemplary blend of comfort and control. Tall saddle height and wide handlebars provide a commanding position while the rear-set footpegs allow for a slightly leaned-in posture which boosts confidence in corners. However, the footpeg positioning will play spoilsport in the case of taller riders where movement will feel restricted. While softer seat cushioning will make things slightly better for prospective customers, there is still a long way to go before the Duke 200 can be termed as comfortable for munching miles. Even though the split grab rails are well-built, that pillion seat is best left alone due to its size, or the lack of it!
BS4 update has had no effect on the power and torque figures
Performance – Acclaimed for its maddening rush of acceleration, the Duke 200’s 199.5cc motor pumps out 24.6 BHP of power and 19.2 Nm of torque. This liquid-cooled motor utilises a revised cylinder head and balancer shaft to pass through the BS4 barrier and the motorcycle gains 5 kgs in the process. Refinement levels have gone up and the Duke 200 feels smoother across the rev range. Instant power delivery ensures that acceleration through the initial gears is thunderous and requires well-timed upshifts to prevent hitting the abrupt 10,500 RPM redline.
Being a naked motorcycle, it suffers from fatiguing wind blast at high speeds
The 2017 Duke 200’s acceleration is comparable to that of a 2-stroke motorcycle
Post 4500 RPM, there is a strong surge of torque and the RPM bar rushes to the redline in any gear at any speed. Nearing its top speed of 129 km/hr, the Duke 200 feels less punchier than before probably due to the increase in weight. Coupled with positive gearshifts and a light clutch lever, compact dimensions allow the Duke 200 to tackle city traffic without fuss. Underbelly exhaust continues to emit an unmistakable KTM tone transforming into a loud racket near the redline. Despite being packed with performance, the motorcycle isn’t exactly a fuel guzzler delivering over 30 kms to a litre.
Economical MRF tyres offer decent grip even when pushed hard
Riding Dynamics – With no change to the suspension, frame or braking setup, the Duke 200 continues to manifest rich dynamics in its latest avatar as well. Its trellis frame provides a substantial amount of feedback and immense flickability. Utilising 43 mm USD forks at the front and a monoshock at the rear, the motorcycle offers a firm ride on paved roads. However, ride quality deteriorates sharply on bad roads as the WP Suspension components are sprung on the stiffer side. This is where we felt that the open-cartridge forks of its siblings were more suited to our road conditions. Even though the brakes are powerful, weak initial bite from the front disc and lack of ABS is a letdown.
Even when compared to the Duke 250, the Duke 200 takes the cake when it comes to fun!
Verdict – Without a doubt, the KTM Duke 200 has all the integrants of an entry-level performance motorcycle. It’s fast, it’s fun and it’s fairly practical. Enthusiasts can lay their hands on the Duke 250 by paying a Rs. 30,000/- premium but the quarter-litre Duke doesn’t offer the same rush and frantic power delivery as experienced astride the Duke 200. Moreover, this little monster fits the bill well as a daily ride because of its usable power and reasonable fuel efficiency. That makes it relevant when compared to its siblings. However, all good things come at a price. Asking price of this orange hooligan has seen a 25% hike since launch and the value-for-money tag went out of the window a long time back. Keeping its lack of ABS aside, the Duke 200 is very close to being the best 200cc motorcycle on offer today. But only when we limit the comparison to the 200cc class, which is definitely not the case!
Heating problem is well under control on the Duke 200
What’s Cool
* Powerful 200cc motor offers terrific performance
* Satisfactory fuel efficiency, better refinement levels
* Sure-footed handling, feels agile around corners
* Instrument console is loaded with information
* Good part quality, fit & finish levels are top-class
What’s Not So Cool
* 5-year old design has started to show its age
* Stiff suspension setup makes for a bone-jarring ride on bad roads
* No ABS
* Lacks the value-for-money factor it was once known for
Alternatives: TVS Apache 200, Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
Styling of the 2017 Duke 200 remains unchanged to differentiate it from the Duke 250
2017 KTM Duke 200 Specifications
* Engine: 199.5cc, Liquid-Cooled, 4-Stroke, Single-Cylinder
* Power: 24.6 BHP @ 10,000 RPM
* Torque: 19.2 Nm @ 8000 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed Manual
* 0-100 km/hr: 9.41 seconds
* Top Speed: 129 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 30-34 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Trellis
* Suspension: 43 mm Upside Down Forks (Front), Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/70/17 (Front), 150/60/17 (Rear), MRF Revz
* Brakes: 300 mm Disc (Front), 230 mm Disc (Rear)
2017 KTM Duke 200 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2002 mm x 873 mm x 1274 mm
* Wheelbase: 1367 mm
* Ground Clearance: 165 mm
* Seat Height: 810 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.2-litres
* Kerb Weight: 148 kgs
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