KTM Duke 200 Review

[Prabhat]

300 Lbs

It's a pig

My 690 is 309 lbs.

( 60 Lbs lighter than Honda CBR 250R )

can't ya get a liter bike for that weight?

I think, you are talking about dry weight. Dry weight of Duke 200 is 275 Lbs.

 

[cdlabate]

Seems just about everyone who owns the big brother 990 would love to own and thrash the hell out of this cute little bike.

 

[SLOspeed]

good luck convincing a beginner to get a 125. They're all convinced that they need a liter, minimum.

It is because it is too small to take on the freeway that it is a better learner's bike. The freeway is a dangerous place for someone lacking riding experience. For someone with experience the bigger bikes would be sweet for around town, and for having plenty of fun.

 

[combatorange]

This is the sexy version of a Ninja 250 that would solve all my problems. Mainly that Ninjas are ugly

 

[bluenoser]

That one two five Duke is a good looking bike. Just the sort of ride we need here in the States for learners. The Aprilia RS4 is another good choice.

Too bad we have that pesky thing in America called "freeways" that are needed to get from pt A to pt B.

This is the sexy version of a Ninja 250 that would solve all my problems. Mainly that Ninjas are ugly

I foresee that if the KTM 200 starts to get any traction, Kawi will strip off the plastics on the Ninja 250 and nakedize it into a Z250.

 

[sliverstorm]

good luck convincing a beginner to get a 125. They're all convinced that they need a liter, minimum.

That's only because everyone knows that to survive on a bike, you need to be able to break the sound barrier at-will. Everybody knows brakes, smart riding and thinking ahead have nothing to do with avoiding crashes

 

[Lunch Box]

Seems just about everyone who owns the big brother 990 would love to own and thrash the hell out of this cute little bike.

Add me to that group. I can't wait to see one of these in person. Talk about a fun little thrasher bike!

 

[fast4d]

it won't happen because the $ it cost to pass smog/dot here in CA.

 

[ToraTora]

Compensation

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[ToraTora]

Slaying the Super Slab

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[sliverstorm]

Okay SD, why do you have the opinion that you need such a big first bike?

I'm against newbs starting on 600 supersports, but I think calling a 350 "such a big first bike" is a little unreasonable.

If it's a I4 tuned like a race bike (see the 90's CBR250RR) then sure, but a 350 streetable single isn't going to break 30hp.

 

[ToraTora]

Bigger is Always Better (in little minds)

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[ToraTora]

More Compensation

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[Stormdragon]

Okay SD, why do you have the opinion that you need such a big first bike?

Well you'll notice I said:

optimal size in a single

I think a 350 single would give someone great torque, without the usual complaint of not being able to get up to speed on the freeway without being run over. In fact, I think a 350 single would be a superior learner bike to a 250 four, which is what an awful lot of people start out on in tiered license countries.

Lets remember that it's not so much the actual displacement of a bike that is the issue for a beginner, as much as how the power is delivered, where the power band starts, how the steering geometry is set up, and how the suspension is set up. You put a beginner on a race bike, even if it's a 125, and the beginner will have a harder time than if he/she started on something with more relaxed geometry, and a wider, softer powerband.

 

[Prabhat]

I don't think Duke 125 is coming to USA. It's specifically made for Europe as they have regulations for learners bike (below 15 BHP/125 cc ). It's not even being launched in India.

Duke 200 beats CBR 250R in performance tests. If CBR 250R can be ridden on freeways, so can Duke 200.

 

[Gary J]

It could be argued that the most significant reason these bikes exist at all is directly due to the legislation put forth in parts of Asia and Europe.

^ Agree 100%

In the range of "smaller displacement" (400cc's or less) motorcycles, historically there have been MANY different brands and models that have come to exist. Few have been successful in USA markets.

In most cases the motivation driving their existence was not the Manufacture saying - "hey it'd be cool to offer a smaller sized model of this same bike" - but instead driven by the need for providing a bike that is purchasable by riders within the tiered licensing restrictions of various countries around the world.

If all tiered licensing systems around the world were to completely disappear, I suspect a large percentage of the "smaller displacement" bikes that exist today would also disappear; with only their larger-engined counterparts being offered.

Line a Duke 200 (priced at $6,000?) up alongside a Duke 690 (priced at $8,000?) on a showroom floor here in the USA (where no tiered licensing exists), and the dust will quickly get very thick on the unsold 200's (unfortunately, based on history).

 

[sliverstorm]

That's a common claim, and yet when people post such claims it is only based on "opinion"--what are the reasons why you think a 350 is a little enough first bike?

For example explain to me why the MSF should replace all of their bikes with 350s.

Why do you think it is too big?

I never said the MSF should replace their bikes with 350s. A 250, or hell even a 125 is enough for tooling around a parking lot at less than 40mph.

 

[JO EBRMC]

If Honda dealers can't keep CBR250s on the floor why wouldn't the Duke 200 sell?

 

[theAmazingKickstand]

cuz a small ktm would cost $7500 and granade in 1500 miles

 

[JO EBRMC]

Since it is built in India, I'd imagine it would be fairly cheap. Perhaps more than the CBR but I'd be willing to bet there are a lot of people who would pay a bit more for a significantly better looking bike.

But yes, KTMs teach normal people how to rebuild motors.