KTM, an Austrian company, is a well known champion when it comes to manufacturing off road motorcycles. This company has also dominated the off road motor sports events. This is the first street bike from this company and is jointly developed along with Bajaj Auto, an Indian motorcycle company which now has more than 39 percent stake in this European firm.
125 Duke having single cylinder technology was first introduced in few European markets about one year ago. It immediately went on to the top and became a leader in its segment. Hence, it isn’t really surprising that they have now brought out the 200cc variant which was widely expected.
Aggressive, lean, and butch – this striking 200 Duke shows its KTM genes very proudly. Predominant colors are trademark orange and black and the steep creases and sharp angles are the striking features in terms of design. All the parts have been kept minimal because of which it lives up to the ‘ready to race’ tag. The scales are tipped at just three hundred pounds.
Mudguard on the front is quite sporty and it is bolted above slim-spoke and elegant alloy wheels. The sump is guarded by bikini fairing and the engine is exposed between the steel-trellis of the motorcycle frame. Below this, there is the stubby exhaust box.
Below headlight, there is auxiliary chin set light and over this, there is a digital compact instrument cluster. I was struggling to find the cascading, tiny rev counter and the other info that was relayed by dinky read out. The only thing that is displayed prominently is the speed. It is pretty legible.
2012 KTM 200 Duke has an illuminated switch gear which works with the crisp clicks and there are also a comfortable set of the functional mirrors and levers. 2.8 gallon (10.5 liter) fuel tank is recessed deeply and it gives your thighs a snug feeling. Saddle is pretty roomy with good padding but the same doesn’t hold true for pillion seat which is compromised. The alloy split grab bars have slender tail lamp and behind this, there is lengthy mud guard along with number plate holder. Rear tire hugger is a bit awkward looking but I liked the clear lens, sleek turn signal indicators. The overall quality of the plastic and rubber parts is pretty good.
2012 KTM 200 Duke has a 199.5cc single cylinder 4 stroke engine having over square arrangement with 49mm stroke and 72mm bore. The design is totally modern with liquid cooling, fuel injection and pair of cams driving valves quartet. The drive goes through six speed compact gearbox and then chain.
2012 KTM 200 Duke emits a deep exhaust rumble post firing up. The clutch is progressive and well weighted and the gear shifts along with a precise action. The response of the throttle is immediate and pretty decisive from the big 38 mm throttle body but I did see the fuel getting unsettled between narrow range just over idle to the 3000 rpm mark. The throttle had to be played with for keeping the revs up and for firing engine smoothly.
When revved higher, this mill gives a wide power band having excellent mid range and a top end muscle. 200 Duke comes with addictive surge of power which is delivered smoothly and kicks in strongly from the mark of 4500 to 7000 rpm before it transforms in to the manic mode when it rushes for crashing in to a redline 11,000 rpm. KTM has a 25 horsepower peak at mark of 10,000 rpm.
2012 KTM 200 Duke revs up with plenty of gusto, missing the flashing warning shift light and smacking in to rev-limiter is pretty easy especially in first 2 gears. Rider gets to keep in meaty part of power band by upshifting about 10k of rpm with the revs dropping to about 8,500 for next gear. The 14.0 ft-lb claimed peak torque is achieved at 8000 rpm.
All KTM Singles that we tested earlier were suffering from the power vibe infested deliveries. However, the counter balanced engine of 200 Duke really amazed me with the silky power delivery. The sweet revving capabilities of the 200 impressed me a lot and I totally believe in the Bajaj’s claim of 3.3 seconds 36mph (0-60kph). 0 to 62.5mph (100kph) takes about 9.2 seconds.
I tested this bike on Chakan test track of Bajaj in the top gear and got 84.5 miles per hour or 136kph on speedometer with nothing held in reserve. To sum up, I would say that the KTM 200 Duke is a pretty enthusiastic bike with more refinement included.
This bike has deployed a pretty chunky WP 43mm inverted fork having 140 mm of travel. Swingarm having cast alloy supports linkage free mono shock with travel of 150mm. The braking performance is solid and is provided by ByBre system having calipers that are engineered by Brembo from Italy but is built in India for the domestic market. Radially mounted four piston front caliper bites 280 mm disc and both this and rear caliper are controlled through lines that are steel braided for delivering a reassuring and sharp feel.
Riding position of 2012 KTM 200 Duke is comfortable, upright and pretty good for your everyday use. There is wide handle bar which gives you excellent leverage. The quality of ride is pliant and yet firm enough to give you sporty handling. This bike gives you a nimble and light feel and steering is always done in neutral manners. The rear and front tires are from MRF (an Indian radial company) and they give you ample grip. The bike is pretty stable at all kinds of speeds along with superb cornering manners and brakes give you reassuring and powerful bite.
To conclude, I would say that the 2012 KTM 200 Duke is a kinda special bike and is very comfortable for everyday use as wlel. Bajaj and KTM have found a sweet spot for themselves here. It has everything that you’d need of becoming 200cc best-in-class motorcycle.
KTM has set a target of selling about 25k-30k units in India in the first year, says Stefan Pierer, the KTM Chief Executive Officer. Unfortunately, KTM North America, doesn’t have any plans of bringing this bike to America. A 350cc version might come in 2012 though.