We break down the acceleration, roll-ons and braking of the KTM 160 Duke, which is now the most affordable Duke model on sale in India.
The KTM 160 Duke is a naked streetfighter and the successor to the 125 Duke, which was discontinued in India. Its engine makes 19hp and 15.5 Nm, and compared to the 200 Duke, the bike has shorter gearing with a 45-tooth rear sprocket.
KTM 160 Duke: Acceleration
Testing of the 160 Duke was conducted on a somewhat damp road during the monsoon
| Acceleration |
|---|
|
| 0-40kph | 2.28s |
| 0-60kph | 4.59s |
| 0-80kph | 7.84s |
| 0-100kph | 14.59s |
The motorcycle launched well off the line, despite the damp conditions, and even got its front wheel in the air as we tried to get the best launch. With the super-short gearing, we had to make shifts quickly, as the bike hit the redline really fast. We noticed that up until 80kph, the bike feels punchy, but it takes a little longer than expected to get to 100kph.
KTM 160 Duke: Roll-on acceleration
The 160 Duke’s 164.2cc single-cylinder engine makes 19hp at 9,500rpm and 15.5Nm of peak torque at 7,500rpm.
| Roll-On Acceleration |
|---|
|
| 20-50kph (2nd Gear) | 2.77s |
| 30-70kph (3rdGear) | NA |
| 50-80kph (4th Gear) | 5.50s |
In our second-gear run, the bike accelerated from 20kph to 50kph in 2.77 seconds. Because of the short gearing, it was not possible to complete the third-gear run. The bike touched an indicated 71kph as the third gear maxed out, but that was not the true speed, which is why it did not complete the 30-70kph run. In our final run, the bike achieved the 50kph to 80kph sprint in 5.50 seconds. Overall, the bike has punchy performance and is easily able to make quick overtakes in the city.
KTM 160 Duke: Braking
Just like you’d expect from a Duke
Braking on the 160 Duke felt confidence-inspiring enough, and the bike came to a halt in a controlled manner. The front brake lever provides sharp feedback, and ABS intervention was minimal, reducing stopping time and making emergency halts easier. The bike also gets a supermoto mode, which allows experienced riders to switch off ABS at the rear.
KTM 160 Duke: Specifications and price
The 160 Duke is now the most affordable bike in the Duke line-up, with an ex-showroom price of Rs 1.70 lakh.
| Specifications and price |
|---|
|
| Engine | 164.2cc, single-cyl, liquid-cooled |
| Power | 19hp at 9,500rpm |
| Torque | 15.5Nm at 7,500rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Fuel capacity | 10.1 litres |
| Kerb weight | 147kg |
| Brakes (F/R) | 320mm disc / 230mm disc |
| Tyres (F/R) | 110/70-17 / 140/60-R17 |
| Price (ex-showroom) | Rs 1,70,545 |
With the new GST rates, the bike is more affordable and presents good value-for-money for the performance it offers.