KTM 125 Duke vs Lexmoto RSS 125 Street: Compared In 10 Pics

How do these two power-packed 125s compare?

The KTM 125 Duke is one of the most popular performance-focused 125cc bikes the world over. However, it faces tough competition from the British brand Lexmoto, and its latest offering the RSS 125 Street. Today, for convenience sake, we compare it with the India-spec KTM 125 Duke. So how do they stack up? Let’s find out:

Looks 

The KTM 125 Duke looks properly modern, with a sharp design, lots of angular edges, and of course a liberal splash of KTM’s signature orange hue. The Lexmoto RSS 125 Street, meanwhile, has a retro charm to it, with a round LED headlight, large tank, easy-to-reach handlebar and flat, single-piece seat.

Engine and performance

Being performance-focused offerings, both bikes sport liquid-cooled 125cc units. However, the KTM makes marginally more power (14.5PS to the RSS’ 14.2). And at 159kg (kerb) it’s 4kg lighter than the RSS 125, which should theoretically translate to better performance as well. 

Underpinnings

KTM’s combo of a USD fork with the trademark split trellis frame, is a step above the Lexmoto’s conventional fork and tubular steel chassis. And while both feature disc brakes front and rear, KTM edges ahead by including ABS as standard. 

Features

This is one criteria where Lexmoto makes up for lost ground: an LED headlight (as the India-spec Duke makes do with a halogen unit), though both bikes get LED indicators and taillights. Additionally, while the 125 Duke still gets an LCD instrument console, the RSS 125 gets a TFT unit. The international-spec KTM 125 Duke, though, features a TFT console, as well as an LED headlight identical to that on the KTM 390 Duke.

Price

The Lexmoto RSS 125 costs GBP 2899.99 (or about Rs 2.89 lakh) while the KTM 125 Duke is a lot more affordable (relatively) at Rs 1,78,041 (ex-showroom, Delhi). And in any case, considering that Lexmoto doesn’t have an India presence, the KTM 125 Duke, the bikemaker's most afforadable offering in India, makes sense for those looking for a premium, performance-oriented 125cc bike.