New KTM 200 Duke ABS Vs Used KTM 390 Duke: Which One To Buy

We compare a brand new KTM 200 Duke with a used KTM 390 Duke to find out which one offers better value for money

With ABS and CBS set to become mandatory on all new two-wheelers from April this year, manufacturers have been scrambling to update their motorcycles and scooters with the much-needed safety feature. This has led to a substantial increase in the prices of popular models. KTM’s entry-level offering - the 200 Duke - is a fine example of this. The addition of a single-channel ABS from Bosch has led to a price hike of a little over Rs 8,000 compared to the non-ABS model. The bike now costs Rs 1.84 lakh (on-road Delhi), which is quite steep for a 200cc bike. After all, you can get your hands on a Bajaj Pulsar NS200 or a TVS Apache RTR 200 4V with ABS for much lesser. 

But if you are hell-bent on getting a KTM, you could consider buying a used, first-gen KTM 390 Duke for the same price, or much lesser in some instances. That’s a lot more bike for a whole lot less. Makes you sit and wonder, doesn’t it? At present, you could buy a used first-gen 390 Duke for as low as Rs 95,000 and a maximum of around Rs 1.5 lakh from the used two-wheeler market. Heck, you could use the cash you save for riding gear or performance parts for the bike.

The best part is that both the KTM 200 Duke ABS and the first-gen 390 Duke are identical in terms of mechanical equipment. For instance, suspension duties on both bikes are handled by upside-down forks and a monoshock at the rear, both from WP. The braking setup on both bikes are similar too - a 300mm disc brake paired to a four-pot caliper up front and a 230mm disc with a single-pot caliper at the rear. While dual-channel ABS is offered as standard on the 390 Duke, the 200 Duke makes do with a single-channel unit. 

The two also feature the same orange-backlit digital instrument console that displays a host of information, including real-time fuel efficiency, average fuel efficiency, service indicator, distance-to-empty gauge and a clock, amongst others. Aside from the paint scheme, it’s really hard to tell the two apart. Moreover, while tyre sizes are basically the same, the 200 Duke comes shod with MRFs while the 390 Duke comes with stickier Metzeler Sportec M5 tyres. 

The other difference between the siblings is their power output. While the smaller Duke’s 199.5cc, single-cylinder engine puts out 25.1PS at 10,000rpm, the bigger 373.2cc engine belts out 43PS at 9,500rpm. Similarly, the former dishes out 19.2Nm at 8000rpm while the latter generates 25.8Nm at 7250rpm. 

Both share a 6-speed transmission that misses out the slipper clutch seen in the second-gen 390 Duke. The 2015 390 Duke even received updates such as updated fork seals, a redesigned radiator fan for better heat dissipation, a narrower and more comfortable seat, softer palm grips and a softer suspension to deal with Indian road conditions. So, if you are looking at getting a used 390 Duke, we suggest you get this version, provided you find a good deal. Also, thanks to a lower price tag for a used bike, you won’t have to shell out much to get the 390 Duke insured. 

Having said that, there are a couple of drawbacks when it comes to buying a used bike. For starters, used bikes may not have a valid warranty package. Hence, you’ll have to spend a few bucks on repairs sooner or later. Additionally, owing to the wear and tear of the bike, it might be less “environment-friendly” when compared to a brand new bike. But all things considered, the pros of buying a used KTM 390 far outweigh the cons. And if you’re hungry for more power, the 390 is an absolute no brainer! However, the advantages of a new bike are hard to negate as they’re not only more reliable, but you can avail the standard warranty as well as zero debt insurance. In the end, it all boils down to what you want from your motorcycle.