The KTM 160 Duke is a naked streetfighter and the successor to the 125 Duke, which was discontinued in India. On the other hand, the XSR 155 is what Yamaha calls retro sport motorcycle as it shares its chassis and engine with the popular R15 and MT-15. The 160 Duke makes use of a 164.2cc single-cylinder engine that produces 19hp at 9,500rpm, 15.5Nm of peak torque at 7,500rpm, and is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. Meanwhile, the XSR 155 gets a 155cc, single-cylinder engine putting out 18.4hp at 10,000rpm, a peak torque of 14.2Nm at 7,500rpm, and mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

Yamaha XSR 155 real-world mileage

The XSR 155 was able to achieve 51.7kpl on the highway and 50.3kpl in the city.

We first ran the Yamaha XSR 155 on the highway for a little over 50km, after which it needed 1.1 litres of petrol for the tank to be filled up again. Therefore, we arrived at a very respectable highway fuel economy of 51.7kpl. Once that was completed, we headed to the traffic-riddled streets of South Mumbai, ran the XSR for just under 50km, after which the bike needed 0.96 litres of petrol to top up the tank. Thus, we arrived at a really good city fuel efficiency of 50.3kpl.

KTM 160 Duke real-world mileage

The KTM 160 Duke managed 45.2kpl out on the highway and 38.7kpl in the city.

For this test, we ran the KTM 160 Duke on the highway for 56.5km, after which the bike needed 1.25 litres of fuel to fill its tank again. Therefore, we arrived at a highway fuel economy number of 45.2kpl for the 160 Duke. Once that was done, we ran the bike through the roads of Mumbai for 47.7km, after which the fuel tank needed 1.23 litres. Thereby, we achieved a city fuel efficiency figure of 38.7kpl.

Yamaha XSR 155 vs KTM 160 Duke fuel economy analysis

The Yamaha XSR 155 achieved a higher overall mileage figure than the KTM 160 Duke.

The 160 Duke is a nimble machine with a potent engine, and it is fun to ride in the city. For our city fuel efficiency run, we were cruising while keeping a steady pace, making adequate gearshifts, and not unnecessarily revving out the bike. Meanwhile, out on the highway, we kept a speed of around 70-80kph and were in sixth gear for most of the time. If we take an average of the city and highway efficiency figures, the Duke gave us an average of 41.95kpl. It we compare the weight of both bikes, the 160 Duke is 10 kilograms heavier than the XSR 155 which has a kerb weight of 137kg. The Yamaha XSR 155 engine has had a reputation for being really fuel efficient, and compared to the MT-15 and R15, it is the lightest bike of the lot. The 6-speed gearbox has well spaced gears and that allowed us to keep the engine in its sweet spot when cruising on the highway at the 80kph mark. Taking an average of the city and highway fuel economy, we got an average mileage of 51kpl, making the XSR the more fuel efficient machine of this test.

Autocar India’s fuel-efficiency testing

Our fuel-efficiency testing routine starts by first brimming the tank and ensuring the bike is running the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures. The bike is then ridden on fixed city and highway routes, where we maintain average speeds that best mimic real-world scenarios, as well as keeping speed limits in mind. The payload on the bikes is kept constant by balancing rider weights and ballast, ensuring consistency across different vehicles and riders. At the end of the test cycle, the fuel tank is once again filled to the brim, giving us an accurate figure of how much fuel has been consumed against the trip meter reading.