Best bikes to consider instead of KTM 200 Duke

The 200 Duke was a special motorcycle for KTM India as it marked the start of the Austrian brand’s journey here. The naked streetfighter saw strong sales for the company, but then it started to look a bit dated and in need of an overhaul. This is exactly what KTM did last year by releasing virtually a new generation of 200 Duke. It is based on a new split trellis frame, has a design inspired by the 1290 Super Duke R and has a larger fuel tank than before. And of course, it still has the energetic single cylinder engine and uses impressive suspension and braking hardware. But the 200 Duke has certainly gotten more expensive in recent years and may not seem like the ideal purchase for people looking for a motorcycle on a budget of around 2 lakh. If you’re one of those folks who are leaning towards buying a KTM 200 Duke but aren’t quite sure, here are some other bikes you can buy in a similar price range.

For reference, KTM 200 Duke has 25 hp with 19 Nm at pressure and will cost you 1.86 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Gixxer 259 is powered by an oil-cooled 249cc single cylinder that develops 26hp and 22Nm in combination with a six-speed transmission. And while the performance numbers aren’t stellar, the Gixxer 250 certainly shines with its handling dynamics. It rides on a telescopic suspension with mono-shock absorber and swingarm while the braking tasks are performed by disc brakes at each end with dual-channel ABS. Another reason to buy the Gixxer 250 may be its aggressive design and all-LED lighting. When it comes to functionality, the bike has a fully digital LCD dashboard which offers all the necessary information such as speed, trip odometer, tachometer, odometer, clock, fuel consumption, etc.

Suzuki Gixxer 250 performance specifications: 26 hp, 22 Nm
Suzuki Gixxer 250 price in India: ₹ 1.73 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Husqvarna and Vitpilen are visually among the most distinct bikes you can find in a budget of around 2 lakh. The minimalist styling and neo-retro design cues set them apart from the rest of the KTM despite the mechanical similarities. The Husqvarna twins are based on the 250 Duke and use KTM’s 248.8cc engine which develops 31hp and 24Nm. The lightweight construction makes the Husqvarna 250 a very agile motorcycle and performance is further enhanced by impressive hardware – WP Apex 43mm USD with mono shock and disc brakes with dual channel ABS. The motorcycle comes with an LCD dashboard which offers all the necessary information such as speed, tachometer, trip odometer, gear position indicator, etc.

Husqvarna 250’s Performances: 31 hp, 24 Nm
Husqvarna 250 price in India: ₹ 2.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Dominar 400 is not a streetfighter but rather a tourer. And although sales are not soaring, the Dominar 400 is still very popular in the country, thanks to the liquid-cooled unit’s specifications of 73cc, 39.5hp and 35Nm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and also receives a standard slip clutch. What further makes the Dominar 400 a worthwhile buy is the hardware – 43mm inverted forks and monoshock while braking functions are provided by 320mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes with Dual channel ABS. And when it comes to features, the Dominar flagship has a fully digital instrument cluster that offers information like speed, trip odometer, odometer, clock, fuel consumption, and more.

Bajaj Dominar 400’s Performances: 39.5 hp, 35 Nm
Bajaj Dominar 400 price in India: ₹ 2.12 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The new Classic is as different from the KTM 200 Duke as it gets. Still, the new iteration might be a suitable purchase for you if you want a bike that’s suitable for long journeys and can handle rough terrain with ease. The new Classic is powered by a 349cc air-cooled engine capable of delivering around 20hp and 27Nm of maximum torque. This powertrain is offered in combination with a five-speed gearbox. One of the biggest highlights of the new Classic is the instrument cluster – a semi-digital and tripper instrument cluster for turn-by-turn navigation.

Performances of the Royal Enfield Classic 350: 20 hp, 27 Nm
Royal Enfield Classic 350 price in India: ₹ 1.84 lakh to ₹ 2.15 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)