Stainless steel silencer with regulated
catalytic converter
Steering head angle / Trail
65° / 100 mm
Seat Height
810 mm
Fuel Capacity
11 Litres
Dry-Weight
126 kg
DUKE PLUS
2011 has been a special and
extremely successful year for KTM – especially thanks to the launch of the 125
Duke. At 9,000 units sold, the new bike took off like a rocket into its highly
competitive segment.
The logical next step for KTM is to
expand the Duke range even further with a 200cc version in the upcoming model
year. The successful recipe of a fully-fledged, great-looking motorbike also
holds for the 200 Duke – and at a highly attractive price
point.
The main difference is a larger
displacement, expanded to 199.5 cc by a new cylinder with a 72 mm bore and 49 mm
stroke. Complementing these are a newly developed cylinder head and valves, as
well as new intake and exhaust systems specially designed by KTM for the 200.
These developments increase power to a strapping 19 KW (26 hp) besides giving it
a beautifully rounded power curve, highlighting once more the sporting DNA of
this state-of-the-art single cylinder design. While the 125 Duke offers an
excellent performance for its class, the 200 Duke has the punch of a real
motorbike, not the least due to its very low weight of
only 127 kg. The powerful new engine is backed by the well-known trellis frame,
as well as outstanding suspension and braking components. This makes the 200
Duke essentially KTM – simply one of the best small sport bikes for any day of
the week.
A Duke loves company. Less than a
year after the introduction of the 125 Duke, KTM expands the segment with an
equally attractive 200cc version rated at 19 kW (26 hp) of power. That makes the
Duke 200 a hot item for all those who want the benefits
of 2011’s best-selling 125, combined with the performance of a dynamic little
motorbike.
Its handling is as impressive as its
serious looks – typical KTM. The only really small thing is its price. The
success story continues
- Powerful braking system developed
in co-operation with Brembo
- Comprehensive multi-functional
cockpit
Review
Certainly the best in-class power-to-weight ratio
of 184PS/tonne has a lot to do with the way the bike lurches forward in each
gear with the enthusiasm of a 16 year old as well as the fact that the torque is
evenly spread out through the 6-speed transmission to present the 200 Duke with
incredible roll-on acceleration at any point of time. With a slightly taller
first gear complimented by short second, third and fourth gears, the 25PS of
power and 19Nm of torque flowing seamlessly through the rev-range are extremely
well calibrated for enthusiastic riding making this orange bloke one hoot to
ride. Also, one of the chief reasons why the KTM 200 Duke feels so energetic and
eager to be revved is because of the superbly configured electronic fuel
injection system, which provides excellent throttle response to the slightest
input from the right wrist.
Riding through some of the fastest sections on the test-track, the KTM 200 Duke
held onto the lines with razor-sharp precision aided by top quality suspension
bits from WP on both ends doing a fantastic job of providing accurate feedback
about what is going on between the tyres and the road. Even at speeds upwards of
130km/h, the 200 Duke required only a faint encouragement to turn and it swiftly
changed its direction devoid of any unsettling behaviour. The company has been
able to manage this kind of handling prowess and dexterity thanks to the
well-engineered mass centralization by keeping all the chunky components (airbox
unit, exhaust system) closer to the Centre of Gravity (CoG) of the machine, thus
presenting the bike with a light front-end that allows for quicker yet stable
initiation of turns while the 1367mm of wheelbase coupled with fat sticky radial
MRF tyres on both ends awarding the KTM 200 Duke with necessary stability at
speed.
So we have a motorcycle that makes enough horsepower to keep the throttle wrist
happy all the time and has handling to go with it that leaves a wide grin inside
the helmet. However, the KTM 200 Duke is a street-naked motorcycle that will
truly shine in real-world conditions and not on a test-track like what we had.
Head to the nearest hills or then take it out on the crowded city streets
dodging traffic and going past vehicles like an orange flash of lightening. The
KTM 200 Duke comes closest to what every hardcore biker in this country has been
waiting for – a stylish yet practical machine that is quick, agile and loaded
with state-of-the-art equipment. And thanks to Bajaj Auto’s expertise at
low-cost manufacturing, we know for sure that once officially launched in
January 2012, this will be one hell of a cracker at one hell of a bargain!
