The KTM bike makers have teamed up with Bajaj India ltd to bring to India an array of sports bikes for the throngs of bike enthusiasts deprived (till now) of the international bike standards. The Bajaj team announced that even though the partnership has been acknowledged by both parties, the bikes are going to sport only the KTM biking logo since it’s a world renowned sports biking brand, and it wouldn’t do any good for the brand nor the product to tag Bajaj Ltd along with it. The spokesperson had announced that it has the consent and confidence of Bajaj in this strategic outing. However, Bajaj is contributing in other fields, a lot more conspicuously than the previous; it has offered KTM to use their pro biking showrooms across India to showcase the Duke 200. Bajaj showrooms and dealers have taken whole heartedly to KTM’s inclusion in the business family. KTM has announced that the acclaimed sports biking giants are here to stay and bring out three more bikes in the next few years and plans for a long term stay in India. It seems KTM is looking to tap into the thriving Indian market of sports biking.
Now moving onto the Duke 200 to give the bike enthusiasts an insight on how the bike faired on the Indian roads! The bike romping on a 200cc liquid cooled engine and pumping out 25bhp and weighing in at 136 kg is a force to reckon with. The dead pan smashed in headlamp for a face, an all muscle bold orange chassis and the aggressive front forks, and a steep rear fender makes for a mean look. This hunk is something that you can truly feast your eyes on.
Though most exhausts manage to get feeble squirms out after ignition, the KTM manages a resounding grind raising a few eyebrows at the offices of emission norms. The engine responds excellently to the throttle jolting up quite a power surge upon ignition. For a bike with a section rear tyre it gives a remarkable maneuverability. Making tight corners on this beast seems like cakewalk and puts others in its category to shame. But this is due to the brilliant engineering of the tall handlebar and the seating position. The bike with its hefty body does peg quite a high mark on the speedometer, striking 134kmph with ease. The bike handles quite well in the 6000-7000 rpm range but gets a bit shaky around the threshold of 10000 rpm.
The bike is trusted with a fairly good pair of discs which gives great grip on even slush. The only notable negative is that the bike doesn’t live up to the fuel economy it promises. Even with on board computers estimating a 20 kpl, it almost always, irrespective of terrain conditions cannot notch it above 15 kilometer per liter. Though previously slotted as a remarkable phenomena but it doesn’t peak such fantastical levels at our review.
Now to break it down for you,
The looks: the idea of a deep orange chassis with embossed ‘KTM’ in bold white letters might make you flinch but on the bike it just works. The robust shape takes from a cheetah stalking its prey. The front view poses quite an intimidation, with the alienist feel to it. The bike makers have impregnated the bike with a mean street fighter look with its wheel base extending beyond the tail, the wide tank and the under engine scoop. With a style quotient that goes through the roof, you can sure bet on getting those eyeballs popping as you whiz down the dirt roads.
The performance and handling: the bike punches a mean 184 Ps/ton, (power to weight ratio). This would mean that the bike notches up the speedometer within a few seconds giving it one of the best pickups. The bike starts up at a smooth 40kmph in its first gear. If you are a bike enthusiast and have some clue about biking specifications that should be indication enough that it’s a great buy.
And as for comfort, there’s nothing like it. The hydro formed handlebars, the backlit digital display on your screen, all of which requiring the least amount of thumb movement, what’s there not to like? On comfort levels and ergonomically the bike fairs equally well, as it does in most other categories.
All in all the KTM Duke 200 is going to be a great buy for anyone who is ‘ready to race’ .But before we round up, we would like to share this piece of trivia. The name of the bike as we have mentioned a dozen times by now is Duke 200. Now why duke? Back in 1993 when the KTM bike makers were in the process of zeroing in on a name, the former Sales and marketing head, Mr. Cesh ran his finger down the list and finally choosing the name ‘duke’ from all others. And since this bike is going to be a pure street motorbike the KTM team decided on keeping the history alive by naming it such.
