KTM 160 Duke: The king of city roads, which will change the definition of your riding

Do you also want to stand out from the crowd that is seen in traffic jams every morning and evening? Is the adventurer in you looking for a bike that not only meets your everyday needs but also creates the excitement of going on a mountain road on the weekend? If yes, then KTM 160 Duke is probably the first and last choice you should think about.

Today we are going to talk about KTM 160 Duke, which brings Austria's 'Ready to Race' philosophy to Indian roads. It is not just a bike, but an attitude. A streetfighter that is ready to take the 160cc segment by storm. Let's go into detail without wasting time and know what is special in this bike.

Design and Look

Like an Animal that Has Landed from a Spaceship

The KTM 160 Duke makes its mark at first glance. This bike looks as if it has come straight out of a science fiction movie. Sharp creases, aggressive styling and that raised rear section... wow! This bike turns people's heads without even starting it.

The most attractive thing is its LED headlight. It is not just a headlight, but the face of the bike. The LED DRLs (Daytime Running Lamps) that run during the day not only increase safety, but also give the bike a premium look. At night, these lights illuminate the road as if it were stadium lights.

There is a 10.1-litre fuel tank, which is made of steel. It is designed in such a way that the knees fit well while riding. This bike comes in three great colour options - Electronic Orange, Atlantic Blue and Silver Matic Matte. Orange is the identity of KTM, but the blue and silver options are also no less attention-grabbing.

Engine and Performance

Small Package, Big Bang

Now let's talk about the heart... i.e. the engine. The KTM 160 Duke has a 164.2cc single cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. This engine produces 18.73 bhp of power and 15.5 Nm of torque. Looking at the numbers, one can guess that this bike is one of the most powerful bikes in its segment.

This bike runs like a train in city traffic. The engine is so refined that you will not feel vibrations. Its performance in the low-end and mid-range is excellent. KTM claims that this bike gives 80% torque below 4000 rpm. The meaning is clear - you will not need to change gears frequently in traffic.

There is a 6-speed gearbox, which also has a slip-and-assist clutch. Due to this, the clutch becomes light and also if you downshift hard, the rear wheel does not lock. You can easily drive comfortably in the sixth gear at a speed of 40-50 kmph in the city.

And yes, talking about mileage, KTM has claimed up to 40 kmpl. However, in the real world you will get mileage between 31-37 kmpl, which is absolutely fine considering its performance.

Features and Technology

Where This Bike Leaves Its Competitors Behind

If you are thinking that since this is an entry-level bike, it will have fewer features, then you are wrong. The KTM 160 Duke has all the features that are not usually found in this segment.

First of all, let's talk about the 5-inch LCD instrument cluster. This unit shows everything - speed, RPM, gear position, fuel level, trip meter, average and instant fuel efficiency, distance to empty and engine temperature. The display is of a slightly old design, but is easy to read.

The biggest thing is dual-channel ABS. Not only this, Supermoto mode is also provided in it. On turning on this mode, the ABS of the rear wheel is turned off, so that you can do the desired skidding. This feature is a boon for those young riders who do stunts and riding for fun.

For braking, there is a 320mm disc in the front with a radially mounted 4-piston caliper. There is a 230mm disc at the rear. The brakes are from ByBre (Brembo's Indian company), which is synonymous with quality.

Talking about the suspension, there are 37mm WP USD (Upside Down) forks in the front and WP Apex monoshock at the rear which has the facility of preload adjustment. This setup is not available in any other bike in this segment.

If you want, you can also take the option of Bluetooth connectivity by paying an additional cost of about ₹ 5,000. With this, you will get navigation, call alerts and message notifications on the instrument cluster itself.

Ride and Handling

Amazing Agility in the City Streets

This bike weighs just 147 kg. Meaning, it is light and very agile. It does not get stuck in traffic. You can easily pass through the vehicles. The steel trellis frame has further improved its strength and handling.

The riding position is absolutely sporty, but not so awkward that your back starts aching. The handlebars are a little wide, which keeps the control good. The seat height is 815 mm, which is perfect for most riders. Yes, tall riders may have to sit a little bent.

The suspension is very balanced. It easily tolerates small potholes on the road, but it becomes very tight on curves. You can take the desired lean angle, the bike will support you.

But every coin has two sides. The rear brake in this bike is a little weak. It has to be pressed with a lot of force. The front brake is good, but even that has less initial bite. Perhaps this is due to the organic brake pads.

The second drawback is MRF's Zapper tyres. These tyres are fine, but they do not give confidence in wet roads or fast riding. The good thing is that the tyres can be replaced. When the stock tyres wear out, you can get better quality tyres installed.

 Competition

Who is the Competitor in the Market?

The 160cc segment is very competitive in India. The biggest rival of KTM 160 Duke is Yamaha MT-15 V2. Yamaha's bike is slightly more refined and has a better power-to-weight ratio. But KTM has a great treasure of features - dual-channel ABS, supermoto mode, and better braking. Also, the pillion seating is better in KTM.

Apart from this, bikes like TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar NS160 are also available in the market. TVS offers glide-through technology and riding modes, while Pulsar is known for its reliability and low price. But KTM 160 Duke makes its identity different with WP suspension, more power and brand value.

Talking about the price, it is about ₹ 5,000 more expensive than the top variant of Yamaha MT-15 V2. But the features and performance it offers justifies the extra price.

Conclusion

Who is This Bike For?

So the question at the end of the day is—should you buy the KTM 160 Duke?

Yes, buy it if:

You want a premium, feature-packed bike.

The racer in you is alive and you prioritize performance.

You commute daily in the city but also want to enjoy riding on weekends.

You love the KTM brand name and its image.

Look at other options if:

Your budget is a little tight.

You want a very quiet and simple bike.

You only put fuel efficiency (mileage) above everything else.

 Final Verdict

The KTM 160 Duke is not just a bike, but an experience. It is the perfect bike for youngsters who are going to get their first premium performance bike. Yes, it is priced a little high and is a little weak in some aspects like the rear brake. But the adrenaline rush it gives you is far more valuable than the price.

So if you are bored with the 'average' and want something 'extra ordinary', then the KTM 160 Duke is waiting for you. Go ahead, book a test ride and feel for yourself how this bike has set new standards in the 160cc segment.