It is the KTM 250 Duke – the new addition to the KTM lineup that sits between the 200 and the 390. It is built like a Duke 390 but gets a smaller motor and fewer things off the equipment list.
The design of the new Dukes is edgy and the 250 Duke does keep you busy. It looks striking up front with the beefy forks, fat tyre and the tank shrouds shouldering the SuperDuke-inspired headlamp defined by the LED daytime running lamps (there’s no LED headlamp, mind). As you move to the side, the headlamp rakes back and the tank shrouds follow suit riding up the upswept tank. The liquid cooled mill lurks underneath wrapped in the exposed black trellis frame. The grey crankcase has a belly pan.
The rear subframe is now bolt on and is highlighted in orange. It cuts into the upswept tail cowl that houses the step-up split seat. It might still be on the stiffer side for your everyday commute but the new seat is a little more forgiving than before. The stubby tail gets a new tail lamp design and the number plate mount hangs further behind. Unlike the previous Dukes, the 250 gets a side exhaust and it does sound nice. The catalytic converter is still under the belly and the lightweight aluminium end can makes sure the mass centralisation isn’t off by much.
While the other Dukes get orange wheels, the 250 Duke stands out with black. The rim gets a dash of orange and the two liveries of the KTM 250 Duke mixing orange and white add to the drama of the minimalist design.