KTM 250 Duke Standard

Autocar India

•3w

Between 160 and 200 Duke models, we'd steer you toward the 200 Duke because it seems like you're looking for a fun machine and since you already have a bigger machine at home, the 160 could feel a little bland as time wears on. The 200 Duke has a rev-happy nature like the 160 Duke and with its added firepower, it makes for a good second machine, especially considering that the price difference between the two isn't all that large. If we're being honest, you should actually also take a look at the 250 Duke because it is a genuine step up over the 200 and if you're going to keep the bike for a while, go the whole hog and get something that will keep you entertained for a longer period. In our experience, we've found the latest-gen 250 Duke to be a sweet middle child of sorts in the KTM lineup, which offers everyday versatility with engaging performance when you want it. Over the 200 Duke, the 250 also doesn't cost a lot more and we'd recommend you stretch your budget if you can and get the quarter-litre Duke if you can.Take a test ride of the 250 Duke to see if you resonate with this KTM bike and then make your decision.

Autocar India

•1d

Since you want a bike that you will be using through chaotic Mumbai traffic, we'd steer you toward the KTM 250 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. Owing to their more upright rider triangles, these bikes will feel easier to ride through traffic and at slower speeds. Of course, neither will have the outright shove of the manic 390, but the Guerrilla comes close. The 250 Duke, while an enjoyable machine, will feel a clear step down in terms of performance from the 390, although you will see good improvements in fuel economy. Instead of the RR 310, we'd recommend you look at the TVS Apache RTR 310, as it is closer in intent and form to the Duke, and with its upright ergonomics and well-judged suspension, it will suit your use case quite well.Take a test ride of these three bikes before you go ahead with your purchase.We'd also urge you to pressure the dealer to deliver the bike. A good plan of action would be to contact the authorised company helpline and expedite the process.

Autocar India

•7w

The Hero Xtreme 250R is a machine that came out just over a year ago, and so early into its lifecycle, Hero is unlikely to introduce major updates or changes. If you want something in a similiar displacement bracket, then your options are Bajaj Pulsar N250, Suzuki Gixxer 250 and KTM 250 Duke. Of these, the first two are more commuter-y in their performance and fuel economy figures. The KTM is a properly sporty and feature-rich product and will feel like a clear step up over other 250s. It, however, is a pricey product. A test ride of these 3 will help you decide which is the best for you.

Autocar India

•9w

We would recommend you go ahead with the KTM 250 Duke purchase as your first bike. It will be an easier and friendlier machine to learn on. The upcoming 350 Duke will likely be similar in terms of its throttle response and power output to the 390 Duke, which will make it a much faster machine and thus less suited to a beginner.

Autocar India

•13w

Since you are looking for a bike that is good for daily commuting as well as long rides, and are presently a Pulsar owner, a good upgrade option would be the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z. The NS400Z is a sporty machine that isn't too aggressive and will also be usable on a day-to-day basis, while entertaining you on longer journeys. It also has an excellent price tag, which means you will come in well under your budget. If you want to look elsewhere, options like the KTM 250 / 390 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 310 and Triumph Speed 400 are what we would recommend. The Speed 400 will be the best option inside city limits, but at high speeds, its engine feels a little strained. The Apache and Duke models are good all-rounders with genuine sporting intent and come with a host of techy and feel-good features. Take a test ride of the bikes mentioned above to make an informed decision about your next purchase.

Autocar India

•14w

The KTM 250 Duke you have shortlisted will be a good option to step up to, and with its less bodywork than your RS200, you'll likely not run into the same issue again. The quarter-litre Duke is also an entertaining and punchy machine that feels at home both inside the city and out on the highway. In a similiar vein, you could also consider the TVS Apache RTR 310, which will offer you more performance and features, although it will be a little more expensive to buy even in base trim. If you are instead leaning toward an ADV, then you should consider bikes like the KTM 250 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide what sort of bike is right for you and which one suits you best.

Autocar India

•16w

The omission of traction control on the Triumph Speed T4 should not be a concern because, given the performance ceiling of the bike, you'll rarely miss the system - if at all. The tyres, too, are commensurate with the Speed T4's performance and should be a non-issue. If you do want better tyres, you have a wide variety of aftermarket options which won't be very expensive either, so that should solve a potential issue for you.The stalling issues on the Triumph Speed 400 are restricted to isolated units and aren't very commonplace. If you buy a brand new bike that does have this problem, you should be able to get it fixed under warranty.The KTM 250 Duke is a much more sporty machine than the two Triumphs and has some features they don't, like a bidirectional quickshifter and a colour TFT display. It won't feel as quick or as effortless to ride as the Triumph 400s because of its smaller 250cc engine, but if you enjoy revving a bike out to its limit and want to have that sort of experience, this might actually work in your favour.Do bear in mind that the KTM will feel a little cramped if you are above 5'10", and the Triumph 400s also have better suspension comfort. We'd recommend taking a thorough test ride of all three before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•16w

Since you have mentioned that this will be your first bike and you'll be spending most of your time within the city, the TVS Apache RTX 300 isn't the ideal candidate for you. It is quite a tall and substantial motorcycle with decently punchy performance too and wouldn't be the most welcoming machine inside the tight confines of a big city, especially so for a new rider.If you are in the market for an ADV, we'd instead recommend the Hero Xpulse 210, which will be lighter, more manageable and friendlier for a newbie to motorcycles.If you decide you want something sporty, then the KTM 250 Duke would be a great option to start with. It has energetic yet friendly performance, great handling and features and will also be decently fuel efficient when ridden sensibly.Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one suits your riding style best and feels the most comfortable.

Autocar India

•18w

The KTM 250 Duke you are considering makes for a great one-bike garage to handle city and highway duties both. It has a punchy - yet not overwhelming - amount of grunt, engaging handling and will also return good fuel economy. Coming to the Triumph Speed T4, depending on how you ride, you should see decent fuel economy even inside city traffic. Since the bike is made by Bajaj, it shouldn't be too expensive to maintain. The advantage of the Speed T4 over the Duke will be its more effortless performance and more comfortable seating and suspension. And since you are shopping in this space, the TVS Apache RTR 310 is also worth taking a look at. The RTR 310 is a feature-rich machine with good performance and handling. Also, we will recommend you get the variant with the quickshifter as it is still priced sensibly, and this feature will enhance the riding experience. Since these are different machines in the riding experience they deliver, we'd recommend a test ride of all three before you decide.

Autocar India

•17w

The TVS Apache RTR 310 will be a good step up from your current Apache RTR 180. The RTR 310 is a sporty machine with good performance and handling, which doesn't feel overly stiff or uncompromising and makes for a good all-rounder. As you have pointed out, there have been sporadic issues with TVS' aftersales. But if you are prepared to deal with them - and it does seem like your heart is set on the Apache - then you can go ahead with the RTR 310.If you are open to looking at other brands, the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, Triumph Speed 400 and KTM 250 Duke all make for genuinely capable alternatives, with the Bajaj and Triumph also offering you quite a bit more performance. We would urge you to take a test ride and speak to your nearest dealer for aftersales of each bike so you can make a more informed decision.