KTM Duke 200

The KTM Duke 200 is an iconic motorcycle that started the orange madness in India, but since its launch in 2012 the bike remained more or less unchanged. Now with the second generation Duke lineup, the KTM 200 Duke has got a much needed update, both in terms of design and features. Here’s how it feels in the real world.

Design

The design of the Duke 200 now makes it look similar to the 1290 Super Duke R, with the new LED headlight and tank extensions. The bike still retains the old console that we have seen on the first generation 200 Duke. The new subframe is a bit longer and with its addition, the bike has received a new seat and feels larger as a whole, giving it a commanding presence on road.  

The exhaust is still an underbelly unit and the bike and KTM has provided a small protective bash plate as well. It doesn’t cover the exhaust components fully and the bike’s ground clearance has taken a hit.

Engine, Mileage And Performance

The engine used is the same 199cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine that we saw on the 1st Gen Duke 200, it produces 25PS and 19.2Nm torque. The engine still retains the rev-friendly, peppy nature that we associate with the 1st gen 200 Duke. Vibrations are an issue beyond 6000rpm, and the high strung motor makes the vibrations known at the pegs and fuel tank. 

Handling And Ride Quality

The 2nd gen 200 Duke has undergone a bit of changes in terms of its underpinnings, now the bike’s weight has gone up by 9kg, bringing the kerb weight to 159kg. The seat height has gone up by 5mm bringing it to 823mm and the ground clearance has gone down by 20mm, so it's now 155mm. The increase in seat height will make the bike a bit harder to handle for shorter riders, as getting both feet planted is now not easy. This will be a problem in stop and go traffic conditions.

But the increased size of the bike has also brought a more spacious seat which allows riders to shift around the saddle. The increased weight can be felt when switching directions but the addition of wider handlebars has offered greater leverage, thus minimizing the effects of the added weight.

Comfort

The addition of the longer subframe has given the KTM Duke 200 a larger seat. The seat is well-cushioned and has enough room for larger riders to move around as well. Another additional plus point of the new seat is that it is able to absorb a bit of vibrations that come from the engine so the rider doesn’t feel anything on their bum.

Features

The KTM 200 Duke comes with the same LCD instrument console we have seen on the smaller 125 Duke. It gives standard readouts like speed, fuel levels, rpms and odometer and trip meters. But it can be a bit hard to read in direct sunlight and the rpm levels on the tachometer can be a bit hard to read while riding as the numbers are too small. Other features include dual-channel ABS.

Verdict

The KTM Duke 200 is the most powerful bike in the 200cc segment, making it a good choice if you are looking to buy a performance oriented naked. It may not be super rich in features, but you might not miss it considering its exciting performance.