KTM has launched the all-new 160 Duke in India, positioning it as its most affordable naked streetfighter and claiming it to be the most powerful bike in the 160cc class.
- 160 Duke’s 164.2cc liquid-cooled engine makes 19hp and 15.5Nm; kerb weight is 147kg
- The naked streetfighter comes in 3 colour options – Orange, Blue and Silver Matte
Most powerful 160cc bike in India
The KTM 160 Duke uses a 164.2cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that appears to be based on the 200 Duke’s unit, producing 19hp at 9,500rpm and 15.5Nm at 7,500rpm – figures the brand says are the highest in the 160cc segment. At just 147kg (kerb), KTM also claims that the bike has one of the best power-to-weight ratios in its class.
Chassis, suspension and brakes
Underneath, the 160 Duke carries KTM’s split trellis frame, paired with a WP Apex front fork and a monoshock. Braking is handled by a 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc. The bike rides on 17-inch alloys wrapped in 110-section front and 140-section rear tyres. It gets a 5-inch LCD display and LED lighting, and the headlight seems to be identical to that of the erstwhile 390 Duke and the current 200 Duke. This continues the theme of the 200 Duke serving as the base for the 160 Duke’s engine, underpinnings and design. The 160 Duke uses the same bionic alloy wheels as the RC line-up and most of the Bajaj-made Duke models.
Pricing and rivals
Priced at Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the KTM 160 Duke will go up against its chief rival, the Yamaha MT-15, which costs Rs 1.70 lakh-1.81 lakh. On paper, it offers a slight power advantage over the Yamaha while sitting below the 25hp KTM 200 Duke in the brand’s line-up. Bookings are open across KTM dealerships and online.
Vishal Venugopal
Azaman Chothia
