Has KTM gone overambitious with the Rs 1.5 lakh pricing for the 2021 125 Duke? We take a closer look at some other motorcycles around the price range to tell you what each one offers, and if the baby Duke is worth the money.
Two years after its debut, KTM has given the 125 Duke a substantial update. Now, priced at Rs 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom), the baby Duke demands roughly Rs 8,000 more than the BS6 model launched earlier in the year. But more importantly, the 2021 125 Duke carries a price tag that is Rs 32,000 more than its price in 2018, making it quite an expensive proposition, especially for a 125cc offering.
In fact, its Rs 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom) price tag opens up some unignorable options for the buyers. Before we delve into those options and what they offer, let’s first take a look at what the 125 Duke is all about.
2021 KTM 125 Duke
Price: Rs 1.50 lakh
Aside from the 1290 Super Duke R inspired styling, the all-new 125 Duke is also based on a new trellis frame. Powering the 125 Duke is the same 124.71cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor that develops 14.3bhp and 12Nm. The highlight of the 125 Duke, however, is that it comes fitted with upside-down forks at the front, making it the only offering in the price range (with the exception of the newly launched Honda Hornet 2.0) to offer the feature. Braking duties are performed by a 300mm disc brake at the front and a 230mm unit at the rear, with the safety net of ABS only on the front wheel. It is also worth noting that the 125 Duke has been fitted with a halogen headlight unit with a Daytime Running Lamp.
Now, that you know broadly what the KTM 125 Duke offers, let’s take a closer look at what else you can get in the same price range and what these motorcycles have on offer.
Yamaha YZF-R15:
Price: Rs 1.48 lakh
At the current price range, the Yamaha YZF-R15 – although of a different body style – is the most direct competitor to the 125 Duke. For almost the same kind of money, you get a motorcycle that makes 18.37bhp and 14.1Nm from a 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor. Aside from the output, the R15 also has the advantage of an LED headlamp. The R15 does, however, miss out on the upside-down forks and gets the more ‘regular’ telescopic forks at the front. Additionally, the Yamaha offering also gets marginally smaller discs – 282mm at the front and 220mm at the rear. That being said, it does get dual-channel ABS.
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
Price: Rs 1.31 lakh
If you are seeking more bang for your buck, then you can also have the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V at almost Rs 19,000 less. As the name rightly suggests, the RTR 200 4V comes fitted with a 197.75cc single-cylinder engine that produces a considerably higher 20.54bhp and 17.25Nm. It must be noted here that the RTR 200’s motor is oil-cooled, unlike the 125 Duke and the R15, which are both liquid-cooled. Just like the R15 though, the RTR 200 gets smaller brakes at both ends but with a dual-channel ABS. The biggest advantage of the TVS offering is the list of features it has on offer. The Apache gets a Bluetooth-enabled instrument cluster with a SmartXConnect app, which offers a ton of features, including turn-by-turn navigation, race telemetry, and lean angle mode. Additionally, it also gets a slipper clutch and three riding modes – Sport, Urban, and Rain – and LED headlight and taillight. The Apache does miss out on the upside-down forks, though, and comes with a 5-speed transmission.
Bajaj Dominar 250:
Price: Rs 1.65 lakh
For those willing to stretch their budget over Rs 1.5 lakh would also want to consider the Bajaj Dominar 250. Just like the older and more powerful Dominar, the 250cc offering offers great value for money. Powered by a 248.8cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the Dominar 250 is good for 26.63bhp and 23.5Nm. Based on a perimeter frame, the Dominar comes with USD forks but marginally smaller ones, at 37mm, and a monshock at the rear. Braking hardware is identical to that of the 125 Duke but with dual-channel ABS. The Dominar 250 also gets LED headlamp and slipper cutch but misses out on the fancy tech-laden features like the Apache.
Also Read:
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V launched with ride modes and new features
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