The 2018 KTM Duke will soon join its siblings, the Duke 250 and 390, in featuring a brand new exhaust that exits from the right side rather than being located under the engine. The new exhaust design will change the exhaust note of the Duke 200 and will also help it comply with tightening emission norms. The Duke 250 and 390, launched a couple of years ago, already come with these changes. The Duke 200 with the new exhaust was shown at the Indonesia International Motor Show 2018 (IIMS).
Bajaj Auto builds the Duke 200, along with the 250 and 390 motorcycle models, in India, at its Chakan factory. India is the global production hub for these motorcycles, which are sold around the world. Considering that the upgraded Duke 200 has been showcased in Indonesia, it’s only a matter of time before the new exhaust makes it to the Indian version of the bike as well. Will the prospective Duke 200 owners be happy? It’s hard to say considering the fact that the Duke 200 will no longer have a distinct exhaust note, which was loved by some and hated by others.
Coming to the motorcycle itself, the Duke 200 is the least priced KTM sold in India, and sells for Rs. 1.5 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi. The motorcycle features a 200cc, four stroke engine with liquid cooling and fuel injection. It has a peak power output of 25 Bhp while peak torque is rated at 19 Nm. A 6 speed manual gearbox is standard. Upside down front forks and a monoshock rear make for suspension bits, and the motorcycle gets disc brakes on both the front and the rear wheels.
While ABS is currently absent, KTM will soon add standard ABS on the motorcycle considering the fact that ABS will become mandatory on all 125cc+ bikes sold in India from April 2019. The Duke 200 is known for its hooligan nature. A sweet handler, the motorcycle loves to be revved and delivers power quite sharply. It has a top speed of 135 Kph, and is quite quick to reach that figure due to short gearing. The motorcycle is light, and a great entry-level tool for those who want to get into sportsbikes.
Via BikeAdvice