KTM 250 Duke

The KTM Duke lineup has built a reputation of fun and desirable machines for the youth of today. The KTM 250 Duke was launched in the Indian market in 2017 and has come a long way since then. The 250 has carved out its own place perfectly between the calmer 200 Duke and the manic 390 Duke, while offering much more performance and features than the smaller 160 Duke. We spent a considerable amount of time with the 2024 new generation Duke 250 to bring you a detailed review.

The styling of the updated KTM 250 Duke has drastically changed; it is now a substantially larger motorcycle than before with the design now quite similar to the new 390 Duke. It gets a 15-litre fuel tank with sharp tank shrouds jutting out on either side. The split seat set up is larger and the pillion seat is raised higher up than before. The front end gets sharp LED DRLs and the rear end is sleek. It gets an underbelly exhaust unit to keep the look as compact as possible. Even though this is a larger motorcycle, it has a reduced kerb weight of 163kg meaning that it is 8kg lighter than the previous-gen model, giving it a better power-to-weight ratio. 

Colour Options

Currently, there are 3 colour options to choose from including Electric Orange, Atlantic Blue and Ebony Black. Our favourite colour scheme is Ebony Black as the 250 looks menacing while cruising at night.

Build Quality

This generation model has a clear step up in fit and finish. The panels feel tighter, switchgear is more tactile, and the new split trellis frame along with the die-cast aluminium subframe adds a premium feel. Although the NVH is not the best, the attention to detail in this Gen-3 Duke 250 is much better than the previous generations. It surely is one of the best-built motorcycles in its segment.

Convenience Features

The updated model now gets the same 5-inch TFT display from the Duke 390. There is a lot of information available and it is well laid out on this screen. It also supports Bluetooth connectivity, has two riding modes: Street and Track, a lap timer, turn-by-turn navigation, music control and more. The inclusion of a slip and assist clutch, quickshifter+ and ride by wire screams premium in this segment.

Safety Features

The KTM 250 Duke gets an all round LED lighting, a hazard light switch and dual-channel ABS as standard. The rear ABS can also be switched off for the rear wheel, hence engaging Supermoto mode. The motorcycle also sports disc brakes on both front and rear wheels adding an extra layer of safety.

Rider Comfort

Ergonomically, the new 250 Duke is a comfortable bike to get astride. I was placed sitting into the motorcycle and there is a fair amount of space to move around. While the international spec model gets a seat height of 820mm, the India-spec model gets a seat height of 800mm so it is easily accessible to shorter riders. The footpegs are set in a sporty manner towards the rear and the wide handlebar keeps a rider upright.  We felt little to no fatigue after covering a good amount of kilometres which makes it great for short tours on the highways. KTM offers 20mm spacers so that taller riders don't feel crammed in. The padding on the seat is a bit on the harder side, which some might find painful. However, a harder seat provides more comfort on longer distances.

Pillion Comfort

The pillion seat comfort is decent for short rides only. The split seat design looks cool but the rear seat is set a bit high and compact. The grab handles are integrated and usable, but long-distance pillion rides are still not ideal on such a motorcycle.

The 249cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor has also been updated. It now has a larger airbox, increased compression ratio, and a larger radiator. This motor churns out a max power of 31PS at 9,250rpm and a peak torque of 25Nm at 7,250rpm.

City Performance

In the city, the bike feels much more refined compared to before thanks to all the updates. There is a surge coming in at around 7,000rpm after which it rushes to the 10,000rpm redline. It is also a much better motor to live with in the city on account of how tractable it has become. We were able to do speeds as low as 35kmph in 4th gear and also chug along at around 55kmph in 6th gear. The clutch action is light and the gear shifts are slick - perfect for city riding.

The new Quickshifter+ straight from the new 390 Duke works nicely although it is extremely sensitive and the slightest touch from your riding boots to the lever will cut power. This system is switchable so it can be turned off while riding around in the city and quickly switched back on when hitting the highway or a set of twisties.

Highway Performance

Cruising on the highways at 90-100kmph is effortless, with enough top-end to push past 130kmph. It does feel slightly strained if constantly revved to the redline, but the power is more than adequate for weekend highway rides. The new model is lighter, thus feels extremely nimble and stable when cruising at higher speeds. Overall, it is a very fun and exciting motorcycle to ride in all road conditions.

KTM 250 Duke: Mileage

In the city, we were able to get a respectable mileage of 30kmpl, while on the highway we got approx. 35.66kmpl. Overall, these are great mileage figures for a sporty 250cc motorcycle. On a full tank, riders can expect a riding range of around 450kms.

The agile handling of the Duke 250 can be largely attributed to the lighter unsprung mass - newly designed bionic wheels, a hollow front axle, and a disc rotor that is mounted directly on the wheel. Compared to the previous model, this one has a slightly shorter wheelbase as well. The suspension setup is on the sportier side and when it comes to handling, this really impresses with how it carves up corners while providing the rider with a lot of confidence. It is effortless to correct your line mid-corner thanks to its nimble nature and it flicks over from one side to another in a flash. 

Tyres

The grip offered by the W-rated, MRF Steel Brace tyres is phenomenal. They are extremely grippy even in tight corners and zipping through twisty turns induces confidence.

Brakes

The brakes do a superb job to get the Duke to stop; the feel at the lever is decent and it stops at an instant with good calibration from the ABS unit. Experienced riders can switch off the rear wheel ABS to enter the Supermoto mode - perfect for some off-roading fun.

Ride Quality

Riding the new Duke 250 feels great with the heaviness of the older generations now gone. The machine feels lighter, punchier and induces more confidence while tackling corners. Most of the power is concentrated on the top-end but the mid-range on this has improved quite a lot (all thanks to the larger airbox). It really shines in that 4,000 to 7,000rpm range and still wants to be revved even further.

KTM has reduced the sprocket size on the rear wheel and thus it feels way calmer on the highways. This Duke now flaunts the new LC4c motor which provides 1PS more power and 1Nm more torque than before. A big upgrade is that now the 250 comes with a SOHC (Single Overhead Camshaft) engine compared to the DOHC (Dual Overhead Camshaft) engine on the previous generation. However, we still felt a decent amount of vibrations in the foot pegs at higher speeds.

This suspension setup is tuned for a firmer ride but has more compliance than the older model. The 43mm WP Apex inverted forks are non-adjustable while the offset monoshock unit is preload adjustable. It tackles bumps, bad patches, and even small potholes with composure. However, it still leans towards the sporty side so don’t expect commuter-like plushness. Out on highways and twisty roads, the setup feels just right for a sporty bike, while on broken city roads, it does feel stiff.

The slipper clutch is a huge blessing in stop-go traffic and ensuring negligible strain on your wrists. KTM Dukes are infamous for heating up in traffic and the rider feels the hot air on their legs. Heat dissipation on the Duke 250 is much better now thanks to the larger radiator. The increased fuel tank capacity of 15 litres, which is the same as that of the 390 Duke, will let your ride long distances without having to frequent the fuel stations.

In the 250cc segment in India, the 250 Duke is the most powerful motorcycle, and with electronic assists like the Quickshifter+, it has become an even more engaging bike to ride. It is a machine that is a great beginner’s tool with its linear and tractable motor as well as its confidence-inspiring nature when it comes to handling. Interested customers might as well shell out a little more money and get the 250 instead of the 200. The KTM 250 Duke is matured and it shows. It retains the aggressive, engaging KTM DNA but it is packaged in a more refined, and versatile avatar. It doesn’t overwhelm like the 390 Duke, nor does it underdeliver like some other budget 250cc options. If you want a bike that looks premium, rides sharp, and offers a thrill of performance, this is what you should check out.

Variants 

There is only one variant of the KTM Duke 250 priced at Rs 2,12,196 (ex-showroom). There are no "X" or "S" trims available here, everything’s included.

The 250 Duke goes up against the likes of the Suzuki Gixxer 250, Hero Xtreme 250 and Bajaj Dominar 250. The Suzuki has a smoother engine, is more comfortable, but lacks the excitement that the KTM can deliver. The Xtreme 250 is priced much cheaper than the KTM, has sharp styling and is equipped with a lot of modern features. And finally, the Dominar 250 is a heavier bike which is more touring oriented, slower and again, not as engaging as the Duke to ride.