2021 Honda CB125R vs KTM 125 Duke: Image Comparison
Old meets new in this clash of design philosophies
Old meets new in this clash of design philosophies
Here in India we associate 125cc motorcycles with boring old commuter roles, but KTM broke new ground when it launched the 125 Duke. The bike was recently updated to feature the trademark Super Duke design language so now it looks as sharp as it feels. Around the same time, Honda unveiled its neo retro CB125R overseas. Here’s how the two bikes compares in pictures:
While the KTM looks rather cutting-edge with its sharp and shouty design, the Honda harks back to the past with a classical round headlight and a clean, uncluttered look.
While not quite the LED unit seen on the 390 Duke, the little 125 has received this meaner, more aggressive looking hexagonal headlight. The CB125R does get LED illumination as well as some very neat LED DRL inserts within its round headlight shroud.
Both bikes feature pretty high-tech motors with liquid-cooling and a 4-valve DOHC setup. But it’s the Honda with its 14.96PS power figure that manages to edge out the KTM’s 14.5PS.
Digital instrumentation is present across the board, but while the Duke has to soldier on with the same LCD unit that we’ve been seeing on KTMs since 2012, the CB125R’s display features a crisper, cleaner layout.
On the suspension front, it’s once again the Honda that trumps the KTM. Yes, the Austrian comes with an upside down fork, but it can’t match the 41mm Separate Function Big Piston Fork from Showa seen on the CB125R. This is the same fork used on the CB650R! Both bikes get a preload-adjustable shock at the rear.
It’s a closely fought battle in the braking department. The Duke’s 300mm/230mm disc combo is slightly larger than the CB’s 296mm/220mm, but the Honda makes up for it with a IMU-assisted ABS, while the KTM has to make do with a standard single-channel system.
KTM 125 Duke User Reviews
Service cost 2k aa jata hai, best oil 7100 good mileage, good performance 800 tank full ho jata hai, 45 ka average aram sa de deti hai 200cc ka compare kare to 125 cc best hai, har chiz bs top speed 135 hai 200 ki top speed 150 tak jati hai, itna hi fark hai bas power dono me same hai, aur average bhi acha de deti hai, 10 second me 70 sa 80 speed pakad lati hai. Read More
I got this bike back in 2019 when it was launched, I was beginner so my first choice was a bike with moderate power and torque and good ride comfort. So, I went through lot of options, FZ l, Apachi 160 and 200 , Classic 350 and Duke 200. I got my eye on FZ as it was very much beginner Friendly and it was pocket friendly too. I decided to book FZ but on the same day KTM dropped this Pocket Rocket duke 125 and obviously for me it was a show stopper, without any second thought I went through the specs sheet and boy oh boy it felt just like a match made from heaven. I went to showroom the very next morning and just booked my duke 125 and after a month I got the delivery and till after after 7 long years, I have regretted for one single day. Good quality and best feeling riding this Pocket Rocket. Total in 7 year's, I have rode 51,000 kms on odo where I have only used it for ride propose and not for commute purpose. The best thing about this is the ride comfort because of the posture and ride quality. I have done Pune - hyderabad - Pune in 24 hrs with 4 hrs of sleep. I have rode on different terrains and in every seasons and it has never disappointed me in any given situation. I love riding it everyday with or without luggage. It feels fun to ride. Of course, I recommend it to every college boy with no riding experience to start their journey with this bike as it offers good amount of power and torque and would help you to be a good and safe rider with it's features. It will fall you in love with the motorcycle world and also take you to the places you thought of riding once in your collage days. It also offer mileage of 40 kmpl which is also good as a beginner. It will help you understand many concepts of motorcycle rider which will help you in future when you upgrade to a high cc. Read More
KTM DUKE is my favourite bike this bike is comfortable to ride and highllight as a premium, ideal for new rider waiting for experience offering sharp looks excellent handling tech like a TFT Display act. Duke 125cc is the sharp handlling for riders, offering a premium, agile city ride with sharp great look and refined performance first class like a big bike in small package though its engines feel under powered on road KTM Duke 125 cc is highly recommended as a premium, Stylish beginner bike for city commuting ktm feel worth decent power for it class but is main drawbacks are higher price for 125cc ktm bike is comfortable for city rideRead More
This bike is verry good. I love this brand My favourite bike KTM Duke 125 beacouse this bike is past brand in indian 125 cc segment liquid cool engine i gone to buy this brands bike beacouse this is my dream brand KTM . this bike provide by mileage 45 to 50p kmpl This bike price in India 2.8 lack .Read More
This bike is verry good. I love this brand My favourite bike KTM Duke 125 beacouse this bike is past brand in indian 125 cc chekment liquid cool engine i gone to buy this brands bike beacouse this is my dream brand KTM . this bike provide by mileage 45 to 50p kmpl This bike price in India 2.8 lack . Read More