KTM's Duke Range: A Personal Connection

Some riders view KTM's Duke range as the street-oriented side of the Austrian brand's lineup. However, for others like myself, it holds a more personal significance. In the Philippines, the Duke series introduced me to European motorcycle technology. My first "real" bike was a first-generation 200 Duke, which was priced similarly to a Japanese naked bike in the same class (around $3,000 USD).

This affordability was not a coincidence. At that time, Bajaj only had a minority stake in KTM, but because it managed the production of the smaller Dukes in India, riders like me could actually afford one.

Now, we have the 160 Duke, which feels like the spiritual successor to the old 125 and 200 Dukes. It is equipped with a 164.2cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine producing 19 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 11.4 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 rpm. The bike features KTM's familiar split trellis frame with a cast swingarm, WP Apex upside-down forks, WP monoshock, 320mm front disc, 230mm rear disc, dual-channel ABS, and an off-road mode. Additionally, it comes with a 5-inch LCD display with smartphone connectivity, navigation, and call and music controls.

While the specifications are impressive, the significance of the 160 Duke lies in what it represents. KTM is refocusing on small bikes, making them a central part of its lineup. This shift is attributed to Bajaj, which recently invested 800 million euros (about $875 million) in KTM, taking majority control and emphasizing the importance of smaller displacement models.

In markets like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia, where motorcycle enthusiasm is high but purchasing power is limited, the 160 Duke could become an aspirational machine. It signifies a new direction for KTM's smallest bikes, giving them the attention they deserve.