2017 KTM Duke 250 Review
Bike Tested: 2017 KTM Duke 250; Road Test No. 868; Test Location: Chakan, Mumbai
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 2,03,986/-
The Duke 250 sits between the energetic Duke 200 and the frantic Duke 390
Motorcycles are all about performance, especially those with a displacement of 200cc and above and as they say, there is no replacement for displacement. When we pitted the KTM Duke 200 against the Honda CBR250R in a quarter-mile drag race, to our surprise, the Japanese faired bike beat the Katoom. Now the Orange brand has launched the Duke 250 in India which is a stepping stone from the Duke 200 and also its long-term replacement, selling 586 units in September 2017. Priced at a Rs. 30,000/- premium over the Duke 200, the Duke 250 offers a whole lot more, or does it?
Motor Quest: Launch of the supermoto Duke 620, also known as the Duke I, marked the origin of the KTM Duke series in 1994. However, it was the partnership with Bajaj Auto in 2007 which entitled the Austrian manufacturer to dive deep into the sub-400cc segment worldwide. The made-in-India first-gen Duke 250 was not considered for India but two years down the line, KTM took our auto industry by surprise by bringing in the second-gen 2017 Duke 250.
Styling is sharp and quite aggressive when compared to the Duke 200
Styling – Taking design inspiration from the fire-breathing 1290 Super Duke, the Duke 250 comes engulfed in the 2017 Duke 390 skin. Thanks to the superfluous design elements by quarter-litre motorcycle standards, this one will come across as an arresting proposition for posers also. From the burly metal tank to the sculpted tail section, the 2017 Duke 250 carries the persona of its elder sibling really well. All the new-age KTM elements – including the exposed Trellis frame, minimalistic graphics, side-swept exhaust, LED daytime running lights, revised rear-view mirrors, sleek LED indicators and angular tank shrouds – shoehorned into a striking street-fighter design make this motorcycle a masterpiece on our roads.
Wider rear-view mirrors protrude out to offer sufficient view of the action behind
Unending similarities with the 2017 Duke 390 mean that it passes off as one in the eyes of a casual observer. There are a few differentiators, though. For starters, the headlight unit misses out on the split-design and makes do with a regular halogen lighting setup. The alloy wheels and main frame are finished in a mellowed down shade of black and the use of neon orange has been tastefully applied to the sub-frame and the body panels. Speaking of panels, we were amazed by their overall quality and exemplary fit and finish levels.
The digital LCD console displays a sea of information
Instrument Cluster and Switchgear – Keeping in mind the elitism of fellow 2017 Duke 390 possessors, the company has employed a compact digital console on the Duke 250. This is the same orange-backlit unit we’ve been seeing all these years but comes with the addition of a ‘Kill Switch’ indicator and a real-time fuel efficiency counter. Displaying information is child’s play for this console as it throws out a magnitude of data from time, temperature and gear position to speed, distance to empty and service reminder. Quite aptly, they’ve provided a shift light also since the digital tachometer is pretty difficult to read. While this unit goes well with the theme of the motorcycle, the 5.0-inch TFT cluster from its elder sibling with connectivity options would have been a welcome inclusion. Backlit switchgear is also carried forward from the Duke 200 and we have no complaints with its quality or feel.
The seating position is better suited to attacking corners than munching miles
Ergonomics – The erstwhile Duke series has won accolades for its committed riding position, more so when we bring its faired RC sibling into the picture. KTM has tweaked the riding position ever so slightly with this generation of the Duke, as the saddle height has seen an increment and the footpegs are more rear-set, resulting in a slight forward-bent position for the rider. The wide handlebar, as always, remains within easy reach of the rider and the keyhole now sits closer to the tank. The dedicated position does take away the comfort factor of an upright posture but enhances confidence on corners by leaps and bounds. Mind you, the new position isn’t as tiring as it looks and the Duke 250 still remains a good companion for those longer stints. Courtesy these new split seats which offer more seatbase area and a substantial amount of cushioning. They are well-finished too and offer good support to both the occupants which wasn’t the case earlier. Of special mention are the grab rails which offer the best of form and function.
The BS4 compliant engine tips the scales at 37.2 kgs
Performance – In the past, KTM has proved its mettle with numerous products that offer oodles of performance. The 248.8cc single-cylinder mill of the 2017 Duke 250 is no different! This liquid-cooled motor is a downsized derivative of KTM’s 373cc powerplant and generates 29.5 BHP of power and 24 Nm of torque. As compared to export-spec Duke, power is down by 1 BHP but that’s about it. This powerplant is as eager as other KTM engines we have tested in the past. While the responsiveness and grunt in the latter half of the rev band is satisfactory by quarter-litre standards, the low-end performance is nowhere close to even the Duke 200. The Duke 250 lacks the urgency of the Duke 200 but thanks to the healthy spread of torque, it comes into its own past 5000 RPM. From that point onwards, the throaty tune from the exhaust only adds to the experience!
The Duke 250 is agile and changes direction at the drop of a hat!
There is no looking back once you cross the 5000 RPM mark on the Duke 250
The Duke 200 had already set the benchmark very high in terms of performance. Going by that cracker of a machine, we had expected a bit more from the 2017 Duke 250. With a 0-100 km/hr sprint record of 8.7 seconds, this is no out-and-out performer and there is no huge improvement in the top speed as well. On the other hand, what has improved is engine refinement and that signature KTM harshness is nowhere to be seen! Nevertheless, this is not to be confused with engine vibrations which do creep in as you approach the redline. The 6-speed gearbox comes with slipper clutch to assist downshifts and is a joy to use. This tranny is definitely the best in business and does its task very well. Fuel efficiency hovers around the 30 km/l mark. Asserting the tourer-friendly nature is the fuel tank which now gulps in 13.5-litres of petrol to give a substantial range.
This quarter-litre machine takes on corners like nobody’s business
Riding Dynamics – Standing firm on its improved split Trellis frame, the 2017 KTM Duke 250 comes with terrific handling and dynamics. To tackle diverse Indian roads, the motorcycle is equipped with WP Suspension hardware which comprises of open-cartridge upside down forks at the front and a monoshock unit at the rear with adjustable preload. While there is an underlying stiffness to the ride, the Duke feels totally at home going over bad roads or doing some extreme lean angles. The motorcycle throws minimal tantrums in corners and, coupled with its tamer power delivery, is more forgiving too. The changed riding position also plays its part in improving flickability of the motorcycle.
Open-cartridge WP USD forks make a huge difference in handling and stability
The Duke 250 is much more forgiving than its elder sibling due to lesser performance
Despite its higher price, heavier weight and stronger powertrain, the entire braking hardware on the Duke 250 is carried over from the 200cc counterpart. This also means that ABS has been coolly given a miss. Disc brakes, measuring 300 mm at the front and 230 mm at the rear, are not upto the task. Make no mistake, the Duke 250 stops in time without any drama. But definitely not with the same amount of feel and confidence you expect when shelling out two big ones. Bite from the front end is lacking and so is the rider’s confidence because under the helmet, you know that there is no electronic aid watching your back! In another cost-saving attempt, rubber has been downgraded from the super-sticky Metz to the mediocre MRF Revz.
New exhaust ensures that the Duke no longer sounds like a chainsaw!
Verdict – When it was launched in 2012, the Duke 200 took the market by storm. Back then, there was nothing like it on our roads and more importantly, it was affordable which the 2017 KTM Duke 250 sadly isn’t. At this price point, lack of ABS is an absolute bummer. The flagship Duke 390 is Rs. 50,000/- away and every single penny of the premium is totally worth it. Not only is it superior in both acceleration and top speed, the Duke 390 comes with a host of improvements such as ABS, better tyres, LED headlight and a brilliant TFT cluster which is much ahead of its time. Thus, the 2017 Duke 250 feels slightly overpriced for what it offers over the Duke 200 at a premium of Rs. 30,000/-. If you observe carefully, the Duke 250 sits in no man’s land. It is not drastically fast, it is not loaded enough and it is not cheap either! If you want a performer, the quarter-litre FZ packs enough punch. For snob value, there’s a more affordable KTM at your disposal. However, if you want a strong dose of both, the real orange hooligan awaits you!
Sleek headlight unit houses a conventional halogen reflector setup
Whats Cool
* Striking design and top-notch quality all around
* Improved engine refinement and exhaust note
* Brilliant handling and on-road behaviour
* Seats are bigger and better
* Instrument cluster is loaded to the brim with information
Whats Not So Cool
* Lack of ABS
* Onset of vibrations at the top of the rev band
* Average stopping power
* Not an outright performer when compared to its siblings
* Costly for what is not a major improvement over the Duke 200
Alternatives: Honda CBR250R, Yamaha FZ25, Benelli TNT 25
The licence plate mount sticks out, literally, on an otherwise impressive design!
KTM Duke 250 Specifications
* Engine: 248.8cc, Liquid-Cooled, 4-Stroke, Single-Cylinder
* Power: 30 HP @ 9000 RPM
* Torque: 24 Nm @ 7500 RPM
* Transmission: 6-speed with slipper clutch
* 0-100 km/hr: 8.71 seconds
* Top Speed: 138 km/hr
* Fuel Consumption: 27-32 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Frame: Split Trellis
* Suspension: 43 mm WP Open-Cartridge USD Forks (Front), WP Monoshock (Rear)
* Tyres: 110/70/17 (Front), 150/60/17 (Rear), MRF Revz
* Brakes: 300 mm Disc (Front), 230 mm Disc (Rear)
KTM Duke 250 Dimensions
* Length x Width x Height: 2026 mm x 836 mm x 1267 mm
* Wheelbase: 1357 mm
* Ground Clearance: 185 mm
* Seat Height: 830 mm
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.4-litres
* Kerb Weight: 161 kgs
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