With KTM pulling the plug on the 125 Duke in India, the 160 Duke is the new entry-level bike from the Austrian manufacturer here. At Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom), this streetfighter is aimed squarely at the Yamaha MT-15 Version 2.0.
The KTM 160 Duke gets a 164.2cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine making 18.74 bhp at 9500 rpm and 1.58 kgm at 7500 rpm. This engine is based on the Gen-2 200 Duke but has been underbored for this bike.
This bike shares its chassis with the 200 Duke, too. Although, unlike the bigger bike, the 160 Duke gets the five-spoke bionic wheels, and of course, the lighter 320-mm front disc brake. Suspension duties are handled by WP Apex USD forks at the front and monoshock at the rear offering 138 mm and 161 mm of travel respectively. The bike tips the scale at 147 kg (kerb).
KTM has equipped the 160 Duke with a 5-inch LCD console, complete with Bluetooth connectivity. Even the switchgear is shared with the latest Duke models. This bike also comes with dual-channel ABS with the option to switch off the system for the rear wheel.
The KTM 160 Duke is currently an India-specific model and with the debut of this naked motorcycle, the RC 160 will follow in the coming weeks. Should the Yamaha YZF-R15 V4 be worried?
