KTM 250 Duke Expert Review

The 250 Duke gets sharp styling with an LED headlight, shorter tank extensions and new switchgear. It is available in Electronic Orange and Ceramic White. The matte white panels can stain easily.

The 250 Duke gets an 800mm seat height, making it more accessible to shorter riders. The seats remain firm, while taller riders may find the seat-to-footpeg distance cramped. A taller 820mm seat is available as an option.

The 249cc engine produces 31PS and 25Nm. It feels docile below 5,000rpm but becomes exciting above 6,000rpm. It reaches 100kph in 7.89 seconds and remains smooth up to 110kph. The bike returned 37kpl overall, with the 15-litre tank offering a range of over 400km.

The 250 Duke is light and nimble, with quick direction changes and strong braking performance. Its suspension is firm but absorbs most bumps well. It can handle gravel trails thanks to its 176mm ground clearance, although the suspension feels soft when pushed hard.

The bike gets a bidirectional quickshifter, Bluetooth connectivity and an LCD display. The Bluetooth system supports call alerts and music controls, while turn-by-turn navigation is planned through KTM's app. It also gets LED lighting and Supermoto ABS.

The 250 Duke offers strong performance, features and handling for the money. It is a fun and capable option for riders upgrading from smaller motorcycles and is a more affordable alternative to the 390 Duke.