After long waiting for a good launch finally got KTM Duke 200; did some homework and booked it.
I’ve always been a Scrambler zealot. Duke 200 doesn’t accurately fit the category but it does borrow much of its technicals and visual from the Off-Road segment. Nevertheless, KTM is well-know for Off-road biking and MotoSports.
Duke 200 is a new-born of partnership between KTM, world’s no. 1 off-road bike makers, and Bajaj Auto, an Indian pioneer for economy and performance biking. The Duo has done a remarkable job of putting together their expertise, KTM with their almost a century of tough biking experience and Bajaj, impartially, best in offering performance with economy.
Yes, for all the readers from Europe, US and Australian continent. It is an irony ! here in India, unfortunately, fuel cost is higher than around the world. Infrastructure, traffic congestion and poor income to inflation growth have deterred the development of Performance biking. Hence, Performance and Economy go hand-in-hand here for mass-selling.
After some research and personal interview with the owners Joined the Owner’s Club!
Within a week or purchase finished 800 km mark and every ride is reassuring me to have made a right GO. Perfect if not better than perfect!
Currently I’m maintaining the initial REV limit [of 7500 RPM] and speed [50 – 70 km] as suggested by the KTM. And It is ridiculous to follow these instructions as the need-for-more element never dies at any stage of riding. Albeit, following these protocol will pay off well in a long run. This is form my personal experience, bought Bajaj Pulsar 180 in 2001 and even today can touch a speed limit of 110 to 120 km without any vibes or stability issue.
You can, however request to disable any restriction before delivery.
At every shift, throttling and curves you can feel what the Duke is designed for. Even at low revs and speed, adrenaline is instantaneous and intravenous, right from first burst. Response at low-gears especially is a blow-out.
Coming to the features and performance, Duke packs good power, stability, gear ration, electronics, significant digital information and indicators.
Another good feature is a Side-Stand shift. Shifting from Neutral with side stand engaged kills the engine.
Now the CONs, RPM and mechanics runs the engine hot in no good time, 10-15 mins per say of city riding. But this is the case for tropical Mumbai weather, may be this isn’t the worry for cold climate. To add to disadvantage are bad traffic & road conditions in Metro India.
It’s also a stiff ride, seating is rigid only wish if design could be a little more curved on the rider’s edge, i.e. the base and support. Shock-absorbers, principally rare mono-shock is hard for uneven road or any bump.
Nonetheless, Duke still feel like a must-have for people who are Motosports enthu. It’s a Active Ride.
Stiff ride means you have to be alert and uniformly in contact with the machine which is a turn-on for anyone looking for an adventure ride rather than just a swift cruise.
There is some slackness with Chain, very annoying. Service Technician informed it to be expected and fixed during the first service. Paint in the alloys and few movable wear n’ tear components looks as if under budgeted. Again I believe it has to do with the Indian scenario where Two-wheeler insurance packages are still at infancy and inappropriate, hence to cut the short run maintenance and replacement cost.
Once over these issues everything else is well-built from visual appeal to performance maximisation. It is much more than just a style statement. But certainly not for anyone who takes a good care of spine and enjoys a long, high-speed and comfortable cruise.
It can be a perfect street and touring companion if you’re an adventurer machinist, love to interact with it, prefer Performance over a some-what discomfort. And finally, after a long, tough ride you still say, “Hell Ya! let’s do it again in a more tough conditions.”
Duke is a ride that you want to run at the peak, twist, corner, then will be compelled to shift to low gears and enjoy the revs again. But it demands your full attention, and understanding of it.
KTM India [Mumbai] have formed a good team. Sales and Technical staff are always available to help you out on pre and post sales queries so if you have any doubt about KTM product then just request for whatsoever details required with KTM Showroom people. My queries regarding long trip precautions were well attended and feed with personal contact numbers and liberty to call even at nights in case of a breakdown.
Replies are usually instant but occasionally may take some time for response. But improvement is a process and believe that in time and with customer feedback system should be ultra-responsive and quick.
Economy reported by few of the Indian Duke 200 owners is as high as 42 kmpl & above. Top speed is locked to 134 kmph but people have mentioned to reach 145/150 kmph.
Getting my first service done on 22nd of this month and then will gradually test, learn & reach the peak of it. Also looking forward to a scheduled winter bike trip to South Indian peninsular region, distance to cover will be about 4,500 km, and later some off-road biking too.
This is the ride I’m sure will not be able to keep idle for long duration !!
Kudos Bjaja-KTM… waiting for Duke 390 & 690 test ride.
Later blog to come on Duke 200 for Street biking.

J'Space 