KTM Duke 200 - Features, Overview and Price.

KTM is Europe’s second largest motorcycle manufacturer and dominates the off-road segment across the world. KTM debuts in India with its premium streetbike brand: the Duke. The Duke 200 is a naked sports bike and was unveiled on 24th January 2012. It became the flagship model of Bajaj auto and is available at 34 Bajaj pro-biking showrooms across India. Previously the Duke 125 version was launched in European countries. The KTM Duke 200 is an extraordinary bike which not only offers glamorous looks but it will also be a style icon on Indian roads. The Robust and macho looks of this bike is very attractive.

This bike is a naked sport model and is packed with best components which features unmatched performance and style when compared to other bikes in this category. The Duke 200 is really an awesome bike which is the best in all aspect ratios whether its power : weight, performance : fuel economy, specifications : cost, comfort : appearance etc,  surely it overcomes all debates. As an introductory offer the KTM Duke 200 is priced very low so its the right time to move on.

Okay, lets see an overview of the different features concealed in this bike,

In terms of dimensions it provides plenty of space and freedom of movement. The gathered seating position supports relaxed touring equally as well as committed cornering. Large contact surfaces ensure optimum control and perfect feedback. The seating is very comfortable and the foot pegs are positioned in a great way for better maneuverability.

The KTM duke is powered by 199.5 cc DOHC, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, fuel injected engine. It provides the best power to weight ratio when compared to any other bike of 25 BHP at 10000 RPM. The low and mid range torque is excellent. One remarkable feature about its torque is that you can ride this bike in the 6th gear from 30km/hr and accelerate to its top speed of 136km/hr without any snatching or protest from the engine. The fuel injection system is from Bosch's electronic fuel injection. The engine is liquid -cooled, 6-speed transmission system with wet multi-plate clutch. It also features best fuel economy which returns 30-35 kmpl. The acceleration of 0-60 km/hr comes at 3.30 seconds.

The two overhead camshafts in the new 200 Duke's cylinder head actuate four valves by means of cam levers. This design is not only extremely reliable, but the cam levers are coated with ultra-hard carbon which minimizes friction and also releasing even more power. It also maintains perfect valve timing. The pulsar 200NS version uses only SOHC (Single Over Head Camshaft) for valve terrain.

The KTM Duke 200 also features the widest tyres when compared to its competitors - Honda CBR 250, Honda CBR 150 & Yamaha R15. It enables better handling, style and sporty performance. The elevated rear end allows better cornering at high speeds. The brakes are from the world's best brake system manufacturer - 'Brembo'. At the front, a radial four-piston brake caliper bites onto a 280 mm brake disc.

The KTM Duke 200 also features large swing arm, mono suspension and exhaust muffler positioned at centre. The compact, three-chamber silencer is positioned close to the machine's overall centre of gravity. All these features provides better handling and good traction control.

The chassis is perfectly designed to deliver excellent stability and performance. The exceptional feature of this chassis is it uses a trellis frame. A trellis frame is Similar to the beam frame, connecting the steering head and swing arm pivot point directly as possible. The frame is made up of a large number of short steel tubes welded together.

The 200 Duke is equipped with high-quality upside-down fork which is the first of its kind when compared to its competitors – in other words, real racing equipment that guarantees highest levels of stability and precision.

The instrument console is fully digital displaying the vehicle speed (speedometer), engine RPM (tachometer), gear shift count, trip meter, odometer, fuel level indicator and engine temperature indicator. It also displays a welcome note and other warning notes at the start up.

KTM's unique styled headlight offers good look and increases the overall styling. Lightness, Maximum riding fun, powerful propulsion, optimum user value, Featherweight chassis with high-quality components and first-class brakes. Loaded with the all new four-stroke single-cylinder & fuel injection, six-speed transmission and low fuel consumption. Precisely what you'd expect from a genuine KTM.

Price on-road

I personally enquired about the price details from the Bajaj probiking showroom recently at Adyar - the only probiking showroom in Chennai. The on-road price comes close to 134k, which includes all the taxes and some common accessories like number plate, tank cover etc. The delivery of the bike is done at 20-24 days prior if the order is being placed. An initial amount of 74k is being charged for taking the bike in due payment method.

 200 DUKE: A POWERFUL INITIATION - TECH SPECS

ENGINE 

Design : Single-cylinder, 4-stroke, spark-ignition engine, liquid-cooled
Displacement : 200 cm³
Bore :  72 mm
Stroke : 49 mm
Starting aid : Electric starter
Transmission : 6-speed, claw shifted
Engine lubrication : Forced oil lubrication with 1 rotor pump
Primary gear ratio : 22:72
Secondary gear ratio : 14:43
Cooling system : Liquid cooling system, continuous circulation of cooling liquid with water pump
Clutch : Clutch in oil bath / mechanically operated
Ignition system : Contactless, controlled, fully electronic ignition system with digital ignition timing adjustment.

CHASSIS 

Frame : Tubular space frame made from steel tubes, powder-coated
Fork :  WP Suspension 4357
Shock absorber : WP Suspension 4618 EM
Suspension travel Front : 150 mm
Suspension travel Rear :   150 mm
Brake system Front : Disc brake with two-pot brake caliper
Brake system Rear :  Disc brake with one-pot brake caliper, floating brake discs
Brake discs - diameter front : 300 mm
Brake discs - diameter rear :  230 mm
Chain : 5/8 x 1/4” (520) O-Ring
Steering head angle :  65°
Wheel base : 1,361±15 mm
Ground clearance (unloaded) : 170 mm
Seat height (unloaded) : 810 mm
Total fuel tank capacity approx : 10.5 l
Unleaded premium fuel (95 RON)
Weight without fuel approx : 125 kg

 

  

Max speeds in each gear,

(as noticed while testing - all approx)

1st gear - 40km/h
2nd gear-60km/h
3rd gear-80km/h
4th gear-100km/h
5th gear-116km/h
6th gear-136km/h

All the above figures are at 10000rpm where it hits the red line

100km in 6th gear @ 7000rpm

Roll on figures (approximate):

0-60km/hr (in sec)

KTM200 – 3.33

CBR250 – 3.67

R15 – 5.41

0-100km/hr (in sec)

KTM200 – 9.21
CBR250 – 10.09

The KTM Duke 200 is an ultimate bike and is a blend of ultimate performance, style that comes with a decent price.