KTM 160 Duke Expert Review

The 160 Duke shares its Gen 2 chassis architecture with the 200 Duke, giving it a familiar KTM look. Its sharp and compact styling makes it look purposeful without being too aggressive. Build quality is good, with neatly finished bodywork and very little exposed wiring. It also gets full-LED lighting and a well-laid-out LCD display.

The 160 Duke has a spacious and open riding position, which makes it more comfortable for taller riders than the newer 250 and 390 Dukes. Its 815mm seat height is manageable for most riders, while the riding triangle works well for everyday city use. The bike also feels light and easy to handle.

The 164cc, single-cylinder engine produces 19PS and 15.5Nm. It is tractable and docile enough for city riding but becomes more exciting as the revs rise. The short gearing makes acceleration fun, although the engine reaches the redline quickly in each gear. Its performance is well suited to riders looking for a sporty entry-level motorcycle.

At 147kg, the 160 Duke is 12kg lighter than the 200 Duke, which makes it light and flickable in traffic. It handles unpredictable city roads well and remains fun on winding roads. The suspension is well judged, while the 320mm front disc and four-piston radial caliper provide strong and progressive braking performance. The chassis also inspires confidence while cornering.

The 160 Duke gets a slipper clutch, Supermoto ABS, full-LED lighting and Bluetooth connectivity for its LCD display. However, Bluetooth requires an optional module costing more. The bike uses a familiar KTM switchgear setup that is intuitive and feels well made. Its braking hardware and ABS setup also add confidence for newer riders.

The 160 Duke costs only a few thousand rupees more than the discontinued 125 Duke. For the extra money, it offers more performance, better hardware and additional features. It is a fun and approachable KTM for riders who want sporty performance without stepping up to the more powerful 200, 250 or 390 Duke.