5 things to know about the KTM 250 Duke

The KTM 250 Duke represents the company's assault in the rapidly growing Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh price bracket. This segment attracts buyers who want a motorcycle for everyday use but are ready to pay extra for a premium offering, one which stands out from the crowd. Here are five things you should know about the new KTM 250 Duke -

New age styling

While the 2017 KTM 200 Duke retains the older design, the 250 Duke has been designed along the lines of the Austrian manufacturer's new design language. This not only gives the bike an aggressive look, but also distinguishes it from its two other siblings. The sharp body lines, edgy headlamp with LED strips and the upswept exhaust accentuate the raw appeal of the 250 Duke.

Powerful engine

The 248cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder on the 250 Duke is a downsized version of the 390 Duke engine. It deliver 30bhp and 24Nm of torque through a six-speed gearbox. A slipper clutch is offered as standard.

Sophisticated cycle parts

Like the rest of its siblings, the 250 Duke rides on suspension bits supplied by WP Suspension, KTM's subsidiary. The front end gets 43mm open cartridge inverted forks while the aluminium swingarm is linked to a preload adjustable monoshock. Braking hardware consists of a 300mm front disc and 230mm rear disc with ByBre callipers. However, ABS is not offered, even as an optional extras.

Attractive pricing

The 250 Duke has been launched at a lucrative price tag of Rs 1.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This positions the 250 Duke in the middle of the 200 Duke and the 390 Duke. It is marginally more expensive than the KTM RC200 supersport bike, though both these bikes attract a different set of customers. 

The competition

With this attractive pricing, the 250 Duke has an edge over the Mahindra Mojo and the Benelli TNT 25, the two other streetfighters in the category. The Royal Enfield Himalayan on the other hand, is relativle more affordable at Re 1.6 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). However, both the 250 Duke and the Himalayan merely share the same price bracket and have different target audience altogether.