Suzuki Gixxer 250 vs KTM Duke 200
The KTM Duke 200 has finally moved on from its old styling for 2020 and now looks much similar to its elder siblings. The Gixxer 250, however, came in 2019 and hasn’t changed much largely because it was an all-new bike by Suzuki then. Now, we know many of you will ask in the comments about why we’re comparing the Suzuki Gixxer 250 with the KTM Duke 200 instead of the KTM Duke 250 and it’s a valid question.
The answer is the price. The prime basis of the spec comparison is the price range of the motorcycles. Even the power difference between the Gixxer 250 and Duke 200 is marginal, which makes this comparison a tad more valid from the consumer point of view. So, how does the updated Duke 200 fare against the value-for-money Gixxer 250? We help you clear the air as we put the Suzuki Gixxer 250 vs the KTM Duke 200.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Design
Looks are subjective, and you will probably be inclined towards one or the other depending on personal taste. With that out of the way, let’s get into the details. The Duke 200 has received a major aesthetic update for BS6 and it definitely works in favour of it. It ditches the old design as seen on the Duke 125 and now looks much more like the Duke 250 and the Duke 390. The new headlamp is straight out from the previous-gen Duke 250 while the tank, plastic cowls, the tail light and the sub-frame all come from the 390. It definitely looks much, much better than the previous-gen bike, especially in white.
Coming to the Japanese weaponry, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 is relatively sober-looking than the Duke 250. It doesn’t get a flashy paint job, coloured frame, coloured alloys, or even any graphics as such. Moreover, the headlamp on the Gixxer is somewhat round which makes it look old but it is a full-LED setup as compared to the Duke’s halogen setup, thus offering more practicality. We also think the alloy design of the Gixxer is a little better than the Duke 200. To sum it up, the Duke 200 definitely edges the Gixxer 250 in the design department, thanks to its sharp styling and whacky paint job. We think the Gixxer will appeal to customers who are in their 25-30s while the Duke 200 is your typical flashy show-off college bike!
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Features
On the feature side of things, there isn’t a world of difference between the two offerings. The list for the Duke 200 includes an LCD display, LED indicators, LED DRLs, LED tail lamp, dual-channel ABS, WP Apex USD front forks and rear suspension. Suzuki has also put good features in the Gixxer 250. It gets an LCD display, LED tail light, LED headlamp, dual-channel ABS, SOCS (Suzuki Oil Cooling System) and Suzuki’s Easy Start System. However, the Suzuki lacks USD forks and LED indicators. The LCD display on both bikes is impressive and shows decent information but the Suzuki’s display is better to look at while the Duke’s speedo looks dated now. Overall, both motorcycles are good in terms of features but the KTM Duke 250 feels a tad more premium.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Performance
As you’d expect the extra 50cc of the Suzuki Gixxer 250 makes all the difference here. Let’s talk numbers. The Suzuki Gixxer 250 gets a 249cc single-cylinder SOHC mill which makes 26.13 BHP at 9300 RPM and 22.2 Nm of torque at 7300 RPM. On the other hand, the Duke 200 gets a 199.5cc single-cylinder DOHC mill that makes 24.6 BHP at 10,000 RPM and 19.5 Nm torque at 8000 RPM. However, the main difference lies in the state of tune.
The Duke 200 has always been a punchy and short-geared motorcycle and it still is. It has become more subtle and calmer for BS6, though. The Gixxer is relatively tall-geared and doesn’t run out of RPM every other minute like the KTM. Thanks to the marginal tall gearing and the extra 50cc, the Gixxer edges the Duke 200 in a top-speed run easily as well. Both get a 6-speed gearbox and miss out on a slipper-clutch, though. Lastly, the Duke’s fuel tank is 1.5-litres more than the Gixxer, hence it will provide a better range.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Ergonomics
The BS6 update has made the KTM Duke 200 likeable yet a tad unsuitable for Indian public. Allow me to explain. The Duke 200 gets a sub-frame similar to the one on the elder Dukes and this means that the rider’s seat offers much more room to move around and even the pillion seat is more accommodating than the previous model. But it has come at the cost of seat height. The seat height of the Duke has increased and riders of average height will suffer to get both feet down.
This is where the Gixxer 250 comes in. Offering a lower ride height, it is more suitable for the Indian masses. Also, the BS6 update has increased the weight of the Duke 200, making the Gixxer 3 kgs lighter than the 200. While both motorcycles offer similar riding triangles, the Duke 200 is minutely front biased, while the Gixxer feels more commuter-y. To conclude, we think the Gixxer 250 is the more versatile choice between the two.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Handling
As we said, the KTM Duke 200 is more front biased than the Gixxer 250. This corresponds to sharper riding dynamics and a better front end feel overall. But what helps the KTM Duke 200 really shine is the suspension and the super-capable Trellis frame. The WP Apex front and rear suspension is much more premium than the conventional telescopic forks and monoshock on the Gixxer. Although the Gixxer is not miles below the Duke in terms of handling, the Duke 200 is the better handling motorcycle here. Both come with the same MRF tyres and even the sizes are exactly the same, though.
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Vs KTM Duke 200 Verdict
As we said, the main basis of this comparison is the price range. The Suzuki Gixxer 250 costs Rs. 1,97,060/- while the KTM Duke 200 costs just over Rs. 2 lakhs at Rs. 2,08,277/- (both prices on-road, Mumbai). For the extra 10 grand, you get sportier dynamics, more premium hardware and a better-looking motorcycle. But as they say, there’s no replacement for displacement! The Gixxer has better performance figures, decent equipment, is the more versatile of the two and honestly, doesn’t look half bad as well. You can probably get swanky graphics for the money you’re saving (if you’re into that kind of stuff). In conclusion, we’d choose the Suzuki Gixxer 250 if we had Rs. 2 lakhs to spare.
