KTM is reportedly planning to bring the smallest Duke series motorcycle, the 125 Duke to the Indian market. The new bike, as suggested by a report from Overdrive, will launch in November 2018, which is when the festive season is at its peak. There is no statement from KTM about the Indian launch of the 125 Duke, yet.
Also read: Autologue X-Plorer bodykit makes the KTM 390 Duke touring-ready
In the past, KTM had stated that the 125 Duke would carry a high price tag and thus would not fit in the 125cc segment of the cost-conscious Indian market. Since then there has been a stream of reports that have said otherwise, but none of them proved to be right.
The KTM 125 gets the 1290 SuperDuke inspired design. Internationally, the motorcycle comes equipped with all the features that are seen on the 390 Duke. Thus, you would spot a full LED headlight and a TFT Display on the 125 Duke. Healthy performance numbers complement the styling.
The 125 Duke is propelled by a 124.7cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected engine that is mated to a six-speed transmission and is tuned to deliver 15 hp of maximum power and 11.80 Nm of peak torque. A 300mm single disc up front and a 230mm single disc at the rear provide the stopping power. Internationally, the motorcycle comes with a Bosch 9MB two-channel ABS. The Indian spec model may receive the relatively cheaper combi-braking system to comply with the new safety norms as ABS won't be necessary.
The 125 Duke also features LED blinkers, and LED tail light. WP upside-down Ø 43 mm telescopic forks at the front and a WP monoshock at the rear perform the suspension duties.
The 125 Duke is built around the same steel trellis frame with a bolted sub-frame that is seen on the 390 Duke. The differentiating factors are the “125” decals and the black alloy wheels (against orange units on 390 Duke) on the 125 Duke.
Also read: This customised KTM 200 Duke wears a retro attire [Video]
Does the motorcycle make sense in the Indian market? For 7.5 years now, the KTM 125 Duke is exported to international markets from Pune, India.
Yet, with features like full LED headlight, TFT displays, upside down telescopic front forks and a monoshock at the rear, the 125 Duke will be the most expensive 125 cc motorcycle in India. Going above the INR 1 lakh (ex-showroom) mark will put it against motorcycles with higher displacement – for example, the Apache RTR200 4V and the Yamaha FZ25.
[Source: Overdrive.in]
