KTM 160 Duke

Picture this, you are a college-going kid or freshly out of college, and you want to buy your first premium sporty 160cc motorcycle that is feature-loaded, gets premium components, while not denting your wallet. The only option you have is the Yamaha MT-15. That is, until KTM launched the new 160 Duke.

Now, as we see it, KTM wants to pull those customers away from the Yamaha MT-15 V2 and bring them into the KTM fold. But the real question is, does the 160 Duke offer the same excitement as the 200 Duke? And more importantly, should you pay Rs. 23,000 more and buy the 200 Duke instead? Let’s find out.

In terms of design, the 160 Duke bears a striking resemblance to the 200 Duke. You get the same sharp tank extensions, edgy headlamp design, and overall streetfighter stance that’s typical of KTM. The main difference lies in the paint schemes and the graphics. KTM has given the 160 its own set of decals to set it apart from the 200 Duke.

The quality levels are typical of what you have seen on KTM bikes. While there aren't any glaring issues, the finish on the handlebar and the quality of the gear and brake levers are not up to the mark. Otherwise, the switchgear feels tactile to operate, and the overall quality levels are par for the course.

The KTM 160 Duke gets a seat height of 815mm, which is 7mm less than the 200 Duke. The rider’s triangle is slightly leaned forward but still comfortable, thanks to the wide handlebar and slightly rearset footpegs. So overall, it strikes a nice balance between sporty and comfortable ergonomics. The seats are also spacious, and there's enough room to move around and find an ideal riding position.

In terms of features, the 160 Duke gets LED lighting, dual-channel ABS, LCD, and optional Bluetooth connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation and call and SMS alerts. However, the Bluetooth connectivity suite costs roughly Rs. 5,000 extra.

The motorcycle rides on 17-inch bionic alloy wheels, which are borrowed from the 250 Duke. It is underpinned by the same trellis frame as the 200 Duke, but KTM has reduced the metal thickness to make it lighter. However, KTM has assured that the chassis doesn't compromise on strength and rigidity. The original frame was an overkill for the 160cc segment, and KTM has simply optimised it for the 160 Duke. The chassis is suspended on 37mm WP USD forks and a preload-adjustable WP monoshock. Braking hardware consists of a 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc with switchable dual-channel ABS.

Powering the 160 Duke is a new 164cc, liquid-cooled engine that makes 18.74bhp and 15.5Nm of torque. That also makes it the most powerful motorcycle in its segment. But numbers aside, how does it actually perform in the real world?

The first thing you'd notice about this engine is its refined nature across the rev range. It's very non-KTM-like in that sense, as you always associate KTMs with their raw, buzzy engines like the one in the 390 Duke.

It also offers good low-end and mid-range grunt. This is helped in equal measure by the bigger 45-tooth rear sprocket that offers quick acceleration off the line. The shorter gearing helps with better tractability, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic. However, the shorter gearing comes at the cost of top speed. That said, the engine doesn't feel too stressed at speeds of around 80-90kmph.

As we mentioned, the engine feels refined across the rev range, but there's a hint of buzz above 7,000rpm. However, it never gets annoying and instead adds to its character.

KTM has done a commendable job with the 160 Duke's suspension setup. It offers an excellent balance between sporty and comfort. The bike rides over broken roads and potholes without letting any nasty jolts through. And neither does it feel too soft or squishy, which otherwise would have affected the handling.

Speaking of handling, the 0.5-degree sharper rake has made it even more nimble than the 200 Duke. It feels effortless and intuitive to change directions, which is great for beginners to get an understanding of the handling. That said, we wish KTM offered better tyres on the 160 Duke, as the MRF Zappers don't inspire a lot of confidence.

As for the braking performance, the front brake lacks the initial bite, thanks to the organic brake pads, but the progression and lever feel are consistent and well-judged. However, the rear brake on our test unit was almost non-existent. It lacked stopping power, and there was no feel or feedback from the lever.

To summarise, the KTM 160 Duke offers sprightly performance for a 160cc bike, a well-judged and comfortable ride quality and nimble handling. However, it falls short in the braking department, especially the rear brakes. Moreover, KTM could have priced it aggressively. Not to forget, the bike misses out on a TFT display, which the competition offers, and the optional Bluetooth connectivity costs Rs. 5000 over the ex-showroom price.

Now, to answer the question that we asked at the start of the review. Yes, the 160 Duke evokes the same levels of emotions and excitement as the 200 Duke. If you are on a budget, you can definitely buy the 160 Duke. But, if you can spend Rs. 23,000 more, I would suggest you buy the KTM 200 Duke as that motorcycle not only offers better performance, but more features and an overall better package.

Photography by Kaustubh Gandhi