KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- The first 125cc bike to receive single-channel ABS
- More powerful than the N150 and the FZ
- Carries over the same engine and suspension setup
- One expects dual-channel ABS at Rs 1.80 lakh (ex-showroom)
The smallest Duke in our market wasn't exactly what we were used to seeing in the 125cc segment until a few years ago. There has certainly been a rise in the 125cc performance commuter segment, and the KTM 125 Duke happens to be the among the more expensive 125cc options out there.
Before taking a look at how the KTM 125 Duke has evolved over the years, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community for the latest and hottest automobile news!
KTM 125 Duke Old Vs New: Design and Brief History
The 125 Duke made its debut in 2018, with a price tag of Rs 1.18 lakh (ex-showroom). The 125 Duke bore the same design as the 200 Duke back then, with only the graphics being the differentiating factor and it became the first bike to 125cc to be equipped with single-channel ABS. It bore the same compact dimensions and the front-biased, muscular stance; the very formula that made the OG 390 so successful.
The 125 Duke received an update sometime in 2020, bearing the newer, sharper design of its bigger siblings. It does miss out on a LED headlight, making do with a halogen setup instead, and it also carries on with the same digital LCD cluster. While not particularly high-tech, it's a good reminder of the old days.
Also read: KTM 200 Duke Old VS New: How Major Is This Update?
KTM 125 Duke Old Vs New: Engine and Hardware
In its first-generation guise, the 125 Duke was powered by a 124.7cc liquid-cooled engine, producing 14.3bhp at 9250rpm and 12Nm of torque at 8000rpm, paired to a six-speed transmission. This powertrain setup continues to be present even today, in the same state of tune. However, the newer bike is built on a different split-trellis frame with a bolt-on rear sub-frame.
The suspension and braking setup, has been carried over from the older bike though. It gets the same 43mm WP USD forks up front, a 10-step adjustable monoshock at the rear, while braking bite comes via a 300mm disc with a radially-mounted calliper, along with a 230mm disc with a floating calliper. The new 125 benefited from a larger 13.4-litre fuel tank, and also saw a 11kg increase in kerb weight, with the bike now weighing 159kg.
Also read: Royal Enfield Continental GT: Old Vs New
KTM 125 Dukke Old Vs New: Features and Equipment
The 125 Duke is meant to be the entry point into KTM's world of orange madness, and it is not really packed with a lot of equipment. It carries on with the same orange-backlit LCD instrument cluster, which shows you information such as a gear shift indicator, two trip meters, a digital clock, and service alerts to name a few.
Verdict
The 125 Duke comes across as a tempting package in the 125cc segment, offering similar levels of power to some 150cc motorcycles (more in some cases). Backed by the excellent chassis and suspension setup from the 200 Duke, the 125 Duke proves to be a hooligan that can be easily tamed. However, its steep pricing causes may cause a huge dent when it eventually comes to putting that money down.
