KTM 125 Duke

The KTM 125 Duke promises to provide the full KTM experience of its bigger capacity siblings but in a package that is more accessible for first time riders. But is it worth considering for your next purchase in the highly-competitive sporty 125cc segment?

The KTM 125 Duke has the typical KTM design language that we are familiar with. It looks exactly like the KTM 200 Duke with the sharp design lines, exposed subframe and the tank extensions. The design still commands quite a presence on the road and the Electric Orange and Ceramic White colour schemes compliment it very well. 

The KTM 125 Duke gets an LCD instrument console that displays the speedometer, odometer, tripmeter, fuel level, distance-to-empty and other regular readouts. It misses out on Bluetooth connectivity. The headlight is a halogen unit with LED DRLs, and the taillight and turn indicators are both LED units as well. While this is a decent list of features, it falls short when compared to the features some of the other sporty bikes in the 125cc segment get like the TVS Raider 125 and the Hero Xtreme 125R. 

The 125cc Duke gets the most advanced suspension setup in its class: a 43mm WP inverted fork and a WP monoshock with 10-step preload adjustability. The setup is a bit on the stiffer side and while it aids in spirited riding through corners, you might feel a bit uncomfortable going over speed bumps and potholes. Also, the 822mm seat height might make riding the bike in everyday conditions an uncomfortable experience for shorter riders. 

The 124.7cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 14.5PS at 9,250rpm and 12Nm at 8,000rpm has a linear power delivery and is very refined. It provides smooth acceleration, even till its redline which is over 10,000rpm. Even though it is a 125cc engine but being a KTM, you can reach speedometer indicated speeds of 105-106kmph without much stress. 

The KTM 125 Duke’s chassis with split-trellis frame carried over from the KTM 200 Duke gives the 125cc streetfighter great handling characteristics. It is very agile and leans into corners very easily. It also remains quite stable through the corners and the chassis provides ample confidence to pick a line and come out of the corner without breaking a sweat. The agility also helps in navigating city traffic scenarios as well.

The KTM 125 Duke does provide the full KTM experience of thrilling performance and sporty handling characteristics in a more accessible 125cc package. If you’ve ever wanted to own a KTM but the power and performance figures of its bigger capacity siblings seem a bit too much, then you can consider the KTM 125 Duke. Otherwise, because of the very expensive price tag (Rs 1,78,892 ex-showroom) for a 125cc bike and the lack of features compared to its rivals, you are better off with a TVS Raider 125 or a Hero Xtreme 125R.