KTM 160 Duke: 3 reasons to buy and 2 to skip

The KTM 160 Duke is designed to offer the familiar thrill of a KTM in a compact, entry-level package. With its lightweight chassis, punchy engine and premium features, it makes for a fun and practical ride. But like any bike, it has its compromises. So, before you make a decision, here are three reasons to consider the 160 Duke, and two reasons you might want to think twice.

Reasons to buy the KTM 160 Duke

1. Spacious ergonomics and practicality

The KTM 160 Duke, based on the brand’s Gen 2 platform, offers an open and spacious riding triangle that works well even for taller riders. At just 147kg, it’s also quite light, making it an excellent city bike that feels flickable and easy to handle in traffic. And if you decide to head out on a slightly longer ride, you’ll stay comfortable thanks to its spacious ergonomics.

2. Rev-happy KTM engine

Powered by a 164cc liquid-cooled single producing 19hp and 15.5Nm, the 160 Duke is the smallest-capacity and least powerful model in the manufacturer’s current line-up. However, in typical KTM fashion, this engine is incredibly fun, especially when ridden hard. KTM has also given the bike shorter gearing, with a 45-tooth rear sprocket (compared to 42 teeth on the 200 Duke), meaning you hit the power band quickly in every gear.

3. Premium features for the segment

For the price, the 160 Duke offers impressive componentry borrowed from larger KTM models. You get an LCD screen, supermoto ABS, a slipper clutch, and full-LED lighting. The LCD screen can be paired with an optional Bluetooth module that enables smartphone connectivity. 

Reasons not to buy the KTM 160 Duke

1. Limited top-end performance

The same super-short gearing that makes the 160 Duke so engaging in the city becomes a limitation on highways. During our first ride, we found that the bike hit the redline too quickly in every gear, with a top speed hovering around the mid-120s kmph. If you frequent the highway or care about outright top-end performance, the gearing compromise might feel restrictive.

2. Expensive in its class

The 160 Duke is a relatively pricey machine at Rs 1.85 lakh. Its closest rival – and the bike it was designed to take on – the MT-15, costs Rs 15,000 less, priced at Rs 1.70 lakh. For budget-conscious buyers, the jump in cost may be hard to justify, especially when the same price band also includes more powerful and larger-capacity options, such as the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V.

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