KTM Duke 200 - The Street Butcher!!!

Hi All, this is my first review of a bike. I may be a bit late in doing so as the new Duke 200 2017 has already come out but after taking a test ride and going through the specs, it is not much different than the outgoing model. So here we go...

Looks: (Score: 5)
If I am asked to choose a sub 200 CC bike among all the bikes in the world, I will always go for a KTM Duke 200. It looks stunning, chiselled and aggressive. No other bike comes close to it when it comes to sheer presence. You would definitely turn heads with this one. I am also going to add the exhaust note to this section. It is music to my ears. It sounds so different that it is recognizable from far away. Although this is very debatable.

Build: (Score: 4)
I own a KTM Duke 200 and I must say it has been built meticulously. The bike will not fall apart even if you do things which are not meant for. For Example: Taking it Off road at high speed. Jumping over the bumps and speed breaks. It will hold together no matter what. Although there are a few things, I wanted to see better.

The kill switch is RED. Why couldn't it be ORANGE? Is it not the theme on the bike too... ORANGE!!!!
The Rear View Mirrors: Too small and very loose.
The MRF tyres do the job but not confidence aspiring
The stock bike does not get adjustable Break and Clutch Leavers (Can get aftermarkets though)
Comfort: (Score: 3)
This part of the review will generate the least interest in the bike. This is an aggressive street bike hence a stiff suspension. The seat does not help it either. The new one has a better-padded seat but it may not help much. So long rides are going to be tiring and painful. That does not imply that you cannot go for longer rides, I do too. The riding stance is upright, which I like, as it gives you more control. The legs are bent backwards at the knees and would take some getting used to.

Service Cost: (Score: 3.5)
This is one more pain area that you college goers may stumble upon. You will get 3 free services. First at 1000Kms and the remaining two at intervals of 7500Kms or within 6 months. Although it is free, you still shell out 1500 to 1800 rupees. And after the free candy is over, you pay around 2500 for each without any other part replacement. Always go to an authorised service centre for any maintenance, it will come in handy in case of warranty or insurance claims.

Performance: (Score: 4)
The most anticipated part of any review is the part where we discuss performance. The bike performs great and is a real street butcher. Very seldom you will go over 60Kmph in heavy traffic and it will always put a smile on your face as it does that in less than 3 seconds. Being light has made sure that it is very agile too. My commute from home to work and vice versa is the best part of the day for me. On Highways, you can cruise at speeds within 70 and 90Kmph with ease. But after 90Kmph, it feels like you are forcing it to do that act. Once it reaches 120Kmph, the fizz is all but gone. But that does not make the pleasure of riding this bike any lesser. The breaks are good and progressive but the lack of ABS does impact the confidence.

Value for Money: (Score: 3.5)
For me, the bike is slightly overpriced. Given the fact that there are other bikes which give almost the same performance with more features for the lesser cost. The resale value of the bike is also not that great given the fact that most owners abuse it for stunting.

Verdict: (Overall Score: 23/30)
This is an exceptional bike for any beginner. It looks awesome, performs great and the build quality is beyond measure. Having said that, It also misses out on a lot of features like ABS, Slipper Clutch, Better Tyres. The price does not do any justice too.

If you are looking for a bike to give you that adrenalin rush you crave for this is the bike you need to buy. But if you do not want to feel out of power with safety as a deal breaker, go for a KTM Duke 390. You will not be disappointed. or you can also look out for the Bajaj Dominar to save a lot of hard earned money...

Please wear a Helmet and follow Traffic Rules...