GaadiWaadi –
KTM 160 Duke certainly impresses in plenty of ways and appeals to riders wanting to own a motorcycle that is affordable as well as sensible
The KTM Duke family has always been about edgy styling, sharp handling and high-revving nature. The new 160 Duke enters the segment as the smallest Duke on sale but make no mistake – it is a true KTM in many ways than one. Based on the 200 Duke’s engine platform but reworked with lighter internals, the 160 sheds a kilo while maintaining KTM’s signature aggressive styling. The result is a motorcycle that feels refined yet playful and it will appeal to first-time buyers who prefer riding more in jammed-up traffic conditions.
Powering the bike is a 160 cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 19 PS at 9,500 rpm and 15.5 Nm at 7,500 rpm. Numbers aside, the engine is tuned to be both rev-happy and usable. The SOHC valvetrain has been optimised using lessons from the latest 250 Duke, giving it a free-revving nature as it climbs easily just over 10,000 rpm. The motorcycle sprints from 0 to 60 kmph in just 4.5 seconds but what impresses more is its tractability.
With 80 per cent of peak torque available below 4,000 rpm, the 160 Duke is surprisingly easy in stop-go traffic and doesn’t demand constant gear shifts to stay in the powerband. KTM has also worked on mid-range performance, a critical factor for overtakes. In roll-on acceleration, the 160 edges out its competition, primarily the Yamaha MT15 V2, by a healthy margin, clocking 30 to 70 kmph in 6.8 seconds in 4th gear and 9.1 seconds in 5th gear.
Also Read: KTM 160 Duke Launched In India At Rs. 1.84 Lakh
This is about 0.7 seconds quicker – making highway overtakes an easy task at hand. The inclusion of a slipper clutch reduces the risk of wheel hop during aggressive downshifts. Additionally, KTM has made the lever pull 22 per cent lighter which is a huge relief in heavy traffic. Cooling and reliability areas have been clearly addressed too. The 160 Duke gets a 49 per cent larger radiator surface area for better thermal management even in slow-moving city conditions.
I spent over four hours on the saddle and I can tell you that the heat dissipation is well contained. On the flip side, the seat, Additionally, KTM has equipped the naked with an 8Ah battery meaning stronger cold starts and reduced chances of battery drainage over time. The overall fuel economy has also been improved by 10 per cent and it should deliver over 40 kmpl in light riding conditions.
Also Read: Updated KTM 390 Adv X & Global-Spec Enduro R Launched From Rs. 3.03 Lakh
Underneath, the 160 Duke rides on a lightweight trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe. KTM has shaved weight from multiple areas: the new five-spoke wheels borrowed from the RC, hollow axles, lighter triple clamps and even cast pillion footpegs instead of fabricated ones. A revised steering geometry with a 12 mm shorter fork and a 0.5-degree sharper rake gives the 160 its nimble feel yet the suspension is tuned with a balance between comfort and firmness in mind.
With 47 mm of additional travel at the rear and 8 mm at the front compared to competition, the ride feels well balanced. On the ergonomics front, it offers a sit-in riding stance with an 815mm saddle height, a wide handlebar and a sculpted tank but the knee gripping could have been better with added padding. Despite the pillion seat made 10 per cent roomier compared to rivals in the 160 cc space, it does not offer much comfort on long rides.
Braking performance is another strong suit but it is not as sharp as its bigger siblings as I would have liked. The 160 Duke comes with dual-channel ABS, steel-braided brake lines and a large 320 mm front disc. Meanwhile, rear ABS can be switched off. The streetfighter also gets a full LED headlamp with hazard lights and a new LCD console with a dot-matrix section for detailed information. Borrowed switchgear from the third-gen 390 Duke feels premium while Bluetooth module unlocking navigation and call alerts is optional.
Out on the road, the KTM 160 Duke feels at home in the city and equally confident on highways. The engine revs willingly, vibrations are well contained and the chassis delivers both stability and agility in equal measure making the whole package very exciting for a lot riders in the affordable end of the spectrum as it costs Rs. 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom). Could not help but maintain 80 kmph cruising speeds as it is easy to get there.
What is more impressive is the climb from 90 to 120 kmph demonstrating its top-end characteristics. I managed to hit 124 kmph top speed repeatedly with ease and wished it could have gotten around 130 kmph at least as the powertrain was far more capable. With an average speed of 65 kmph showing on the screen on my 140 km ride with over 75 per cent on the highway, I got a mileage of 28 kmpl but as I said before, it can get past 40 kmpl on everyday rides.
So, should you buy the KTM 160 Duke? If you’re after an entry-level streetfighter that combines performance as well as refinement, razor-sharp styling, good build quality and premium features, this motorcycle makes a strong case for itself. KTM has delivered a motorcycle that is a certain stepping stone and for its price, an almost perfect package!
The post KTM 160 Duke First Ride Review – The Almost Perfect Package! appeared first on Gaadiwaadi.com – Latest Car & Bike News by Surendhar M.