EXCLUSIVE: KTM Likely To Be Working On A New 160 cc Bike Platform

KTM’s immediate future is small and fun, not big and outlandish. At least, that is what it seems like is going to be the case going forwards, especially with Bajaj coming to save the Austrian brand at the nth hour. One of the biggest changes coming soon from KTM will likely be a new 160 cc platform, for India to begin with. And we know who it has in its crosshairs: the Yamaha R15 V4 and MT-15 V2.

This should have been the logical step from KTM as the 125 Duke and RC 125 have not done well at all for a good few years. Eventually, the 125 cc bikes had to be taken off the shelves, and are currently only available on order basis and until stocks last. While speaking to a few KTM dealers in Gurugram, Noida, Mumbai, Pune, and Chennai, we were indicated that while the 125s were no longer going to be made available, there was something new coming soon. 

Prior to their discontinuation, the 125 Duke and RC 125 were priced at ₹1.81 lakh and ₹1.92 lakh (both prices, ex-showroom India), significantly steep for 125 cc bikes that didn’t really thrill as KTM intended to do. Plus, their respective 200s cost around ₹20,000 more, making them a logical choice and also, the most popular amongst KTM fans in India. Not to mention the Yammies carry price tags of ₹1.69 lakh for the MT-15 V2, ₹1.66 lakh for the R15S and ₹1.88 lakh for the R15 V4.

We don’t quite think that the KTM 160s will make the brand a whole lot more accessible again. It will get the performance expectations right with the buyer. The 125s were making a measly 14 bhp and 12 Nm, which is hardly ‘Ready To Race’ worthy. Using the 200 Duke’s 199 cc mill, KTM will be able to produce an under-bore 160 cc version, which should hopefully be able to pump out 19-20 bhp and 14-15 Nm. This will make the bikes more powerful than the Yamahas for sure.

Expect no compromise in terms of the hardware, the same trellis frame with a bolted-on subframe, cast aluminium swingarm, USD fork, preload-adjustable monoshock, radial front brake caliper and 17-inch alloys with MRF radial rubber will be present. Rider aids would be limited to just dual-channel ABS.

Thankfully, we might not have to wait long for these new KTMs. We have come to know that these new KTMs or at least the Duke 160 will be ready by mid-2025. The RC 160 might just arrive next year when the whole RC series gets another generation revamp. We have reached out to KTM India for an official comment on the same and shall post an update once we receive it from the brand. Stay tuned to Acko Drive for more developments on this new platform.