Duke 125: Bookings for India’s cheapest KTM now open

India’s least priced KTM is just days away from launching and KTM dealers around the country have already begun taking unofficial bookings for the new motorcycle – the Duke 125. The KTM Duke 125 could rival the Yamaha R15 in terms of pricing, and is likely to command a price tag of around Rs. 1.3 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi.

This will not only make the Duke 125 the cheapest KTM to be sold in India but will also make the Austrian high performance motorcycle brand a lot more accessible to younger buyers seeking a fun yet powerful bike for city commuting.

As the picture shows, the Duke 125 will be a replica of its more powerful, larger sibling – the Duke 390. This similarity in looks is what KTM will be planning to cash in as a lot of people want the sharp, in your face styling of the Duke 390, but without the steep price tag of over 2.4 lakhs associated with it.

Also, the Duke 390’s 43 Bhp power output can be overwhelming for many, which makes the Duke 125’s relatively docile power and torque ratings a good entry point into performance motorcycling. Talking numbers, the Duke 125’s 125cc four stroke, liquid cooled and fuel injected single cylinder engine makes 14.75 Bhp of peak power and 11.8 Nm of peak torque. The gearbox is a 6 speed unit.

The motorcycle is expected to deliver mileage of about 40 Kmpl, which is nearly double as much as the Duke 390, and this will also be a major consideration for Duke 125 buyers, who are likely to be younger and more concerned about running costs for city commuting. As for other cycle parts, the motorcycle will be similar to the Duke 390.

This means you’ll get upside down front forks, a monoshock rear, LED lighting, disc brakes at the front and rear and a TFT instrument cluster. Instead of ABS, the motorcycle is likely to get combi-braking system to keep cost low. Weighing about 137 kilograms, the Duke 125 is lighter than both the Duke 200 and Duke 390, and will hit a top speed of 120 Kmph, which is more than adequate for what’s built primarily as a city commuter.