With an extensive lineup of models, KTM is one of the most desired premium brands of motorcycles in India. The Austrian bikemaker has added a few upgrades to the 250 Duke to keep it more relevant among rising competition. The quarter-litre naked streetfighter is claimed to be the most powerful 250cc bike sold in India.
Priced at Rs 2.45 lakh (ex-showroom), the addition of these features make the KTM 250 Duke a more interesting option to consider. Here’s a rundown of all the changes made in the 2024 KTM 250 Duke.
1. New LED headlights with pilot lamps
The 2024 Duke gets a new LED headlamp with integrated LED pilot lights. This new LED headlamp setup enhances the motorcycle’s aggressive appearance, bringing it closer in style to its larger siblings. KTM claims that the new headlamps also provide improved visibility when navigating busy traffic or misty road conditions.
2. 5-inch TFT instrumentation
The biggest update is a 5-inch TFT instrument display borrowed from the third-gen KTM Duke 390. This instrumentation packs a whole lot of features such as Bluetooth connectivity function that allow riders to play music and accept or decline incoming calls. This system also offers turn-by-turn navigation when paired through the KTM My-Ride app. Besides navigation, this panel offers key information regarding the motorcycle’s health and travel route.
The options on the TFT display are customisable by the rider. Even shortcuts of certain functions can be customised through the screen. Riders can switch between a dark-themed and an orange-themed display. More importantly, the instrument cluster also packs a lap timer functionality that allows riders to measure lap times and improve their track skills.
3. New switchgear
The 250 Duke also borrows the switchgear from the third-gen Duke 390 which offers various functionalities including switching display themes, toggle between tracks on a playlist or music archive, control the track volume, and switch between the two ride modes: Street and Track.
4. Bi-directional quickshifter
Another major change is the addition of a bi-directional quickshifter as standard which allows upshifts and downshifts to be performed without the need to pull the clutch lever. The main benefits of this feature include shorter shift times and a more precise and smoother ride. The load reversal impact on the rear wheel is noticeably reduced, traction is improved, and the rider can keep full grip on the handlebar. With the new TFT, Riders can now easily enable or disable the bi-directional quickshifter with just a few clicks.
5. Supermoto ABS
KTM has also added Supermoto ABS or switchable rear ABS to the 250 Duke. This feature allows disengaging the ABS braking function on the rear wheel on surfaces with less traction. It also allows the rider to perform specific functions such as controlled slides in motorsports.
The 2024 Duke 250 remains mechanically unchanged. Powering the Duke 250 is a 248cc, DOHC, 4-valve, single-cylinder, liquid cooled engine which develops 29.5 bhp and 25 Nm of peak torque. This engine is paired with a 6-speed gearbox via a slip and assist clutch. In the hardware front as well, it gets the same set of components including upside down front forks, an off-set rear mono-shock suspension setup, 17-inch alloy wheels, a banana-shaped swingarm, an underbelly exhaust muffler, and single disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS.
