A test mule of KTM Duke motorcycle was recently seen on NH4, near Talegaon, Maharashtra. The video description says that the bike is the KTM 125 Duke that will be launched in the Indian market this year. However, regular readers would know that KTM has given the 125 Duke a complete makeover to resemble the 1290 SuperDuke.
Also read: KTM 790 Duke still under evaluation for Indian launch - Report
The styling of the test mule, on the contrary, is identical to the previous-generation model. So, will the India spec model use the old design of the motorcycle to keep the costs low? Alternatively, is the motorcycle in the video NOT the 125 Duke, but instead the ABS variant of the 200 Duke that is being tested before launch?
The curious bloke on the Hero Splendor asks the KTM test rider whether the motorcycle is indeed the 125, to which he gets a single word reply – "125".
The current generation, Euro-IV compliant 125 Duke, similar to the 390 Duke, uses a side-mounted exhaust. The test mule in the video, on the other hand, was seen with an underbelly unit. In KTM’s current Duke product portfolio, the 200cc variant (except Indonesia where it was seen with a conventional unit) is the only model that comes with an underbelly exhaust. The 200 Duke is not available with ABS yet. However, with the new safety norms just months away, KTM might be readying the model to comply with the new regulations.
Apart from the addition of ABS, the rest of the specifications would remain identical. Thus, expect to see the same 199.5cc liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 4-stroke engine that is paired to a six-speed transmission, and tuned to develop 26 hp of maximum power at 10,000 rpm and 19 Nm of peak torque at 8,000 rpm.
Watch the video of the KTM Duke test mule below:
Meanwhile, the KTM 125 Duke India launch is reportedly scheduled this month and we would not have to wait long for this mystery to be solved. The 125 Duke will come equipped with a 124.7cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that will deliver 15 hp of maximum power and 11.80 Nm of peak torque. The engine will be mated to a six-speed gearbox.
