EXCLUSIVE: KTM 160 Duke India Launch Date Revealed

Back in March we broke the news that KTM is developing a new range of 160 cc motorcycles. Now we have got confirmation that the KTM 160 Duke will be launched in August itself. Unlike the erstwhile KTM 125 Duke which was a global product, the KTM 160 Duke is an India-specific product and will not be exported. This hints to the fact that the KTM 160 cc platform was more of a Bajaj Auto initiative and not something the boffins at Austria had planned for. The KTM 160 Duke’s sole intention is to make an impact in the popular 160-200 cc motorcycle segment and it will compete against the recently updated Yamaha MT-15 Version 2.0, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, Honda CB Hornet 2.0. 

(Also Read: Top 7 Upcoming Bikes Launches Of 2025 | TVS Apache RTX 300, Hero XPulse 421, BMW F 450 GS, KTM 160 Duke & More)

The KTM 160 Duke will be positioned as the entry-level product in the brand’s portfolio as the KTM 125 Duke was discontinued owing to poor sales. The main reason for the 125 Duke’s failure was its high asking price and poor performance by KTM standards owing to which it didn’t click with the enthusiasts. As for the KTM 160 Duke, it will be based on the KTM 200 Duke and will share the same frame, suspension and braking hardware. The new engine is based on the KTM 200 Duke’s motor and is an underbored version of the same. The 160 cc, single-cylinder and liquid-cooled engine is expected to churn out close to 19-20 bhp and around 14-15 Nm. 

If KTM is able to deliver the above numbers then it will have an upperhand over the Yamaha MT-15 and will also be helpful in the performance end, which is the hallmark of a KTM product. On the features front, it will get all-LED lighting, TFT instrument console and Bluetooth connectivity. Apart from the KTM 160 Duke, the Austrian brand is also developing the KTM RC 160 to take on the Yamaha R15 V4, which has dominated the segment for decades. With respect to pricing, the KTM 160 Duke could be priced around ₹1.70-1.90 lakh (ex-showroom).