KTM added a new Duke in its stable — Duke 160 — earlier this month, as a replacement for the Duke 125. Earlier this year, KTM pulled the plug on its 125cc engine due to poor sales of RC and Duke 125. This made the Austrian bikemaker decide against upgrading this power mill to the current OBD2B emission norms which came into effect on 1 April 2025.
Enter the Duke 160, a familiar-looking but brand new naked streetfighter which will serve as the new entry-point to the KTM lineup. It also marks KTM’s entry into the 150-160cc segment of motorcycles, albeit in the high performance sub-segment rivalling the Yamaha MT-15. So what exactly does the Duke 160 have to offer? Is it really an upgrade over the Duke 125 or simply a spec-to-spec replacement? We recently got our hands on the new baby Duke briefly, and here’s what we found out.
KTM Duke 160 review: Looks familiar
As already mentioned, look-wise the Duke 160 is almost identical to the current crop of Dukes in the KTM lineup. The same twin LED headlamp setup encircled by LED daytime running lights, extended shrouds around a chiselled yet muscular fuel tank, split seats, a floating tail section, an underbelly exhaust, split pillion grab rails, and signature orange alloy wheels. The exposed frame gives the bike a ribbed look, something that KTM has aced over the years. So no real difference when it comes to aesthetics.
KTM Duke 160 review: Bare bones equipment
The new Duke 160 covers most of the basics when it comes to features including LED headlamp, taillamp, and turn indicators, a basic negative LCD instrument panel that is packed with Bluetooth connectivity for calls and text alerts, and turn-by-turn navigation. However, it misses out on something very basic like a USB charger as a standard factory fitment. KTM says that it will be offered as an add-on accessory but that’s not good enough.
In terms of riding aids, you get a switchable rear ABS. There are no ride modes on offer but that’s not a dealbreaker anyways. That said, KTM has improved the build quality of its bikes over the years, which is clearly visible in all its recent launches.
KTM Duke 160 review: Practical Ergonomics
Again, very much on expected lines. The riding posture is slightly committed with rear-set footpegs but not too aggressive and uncomfortable by any means, thanks to the handlebar which is fairly upright. A saddle height of 815mm ensures you sit tall on the bike instead of inside the bike, which helps you in everyday urban commutes. The seat is fairly comfortable with ample amount of cushioning although a longer stint with the bike would have given us better clarity in this regard.
KTM Duke 160 review: Sporty yet comfortable
The best part about the Duke 160 has to be the ride and handling. The architecture and underpinnings remain the same as the Duke 200 and the discontinued Duke 125. The suspension is tuned perfectly to offer the current balance between sporty and comfortable. We rode mostly on paved tarmacs but whenever there was a broken patch of potholes or muddy slush from the preceding rain, the Duke 160 happily took everything in its stride.
| Chassis | Steel Trellis frame |
| Front suspension | 37mm upside down forks |
| Rear suspension | 5-step preload adjustable monoshock |
| Front Brake | 320mm radial disc |
| Rear brake | 230mm floating disc |
| Front Tyre Size | 110/70 – 17 |
| Rear Tyre Size | 140/60 – R17 |
| Kerb Weight | 147 kg |
| Saddle Height | 815 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 174mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 10.1 Ltrs |
At the same time, the ride didn’t feel spongy and remained planted, making sure the rider’s isn’t thrown in the air every time the bike goes over a speed breaker or a pot hole. What could have been a little better was the grip from the tyres which felt a little slippery on wet tarmac. However, that could be us nit-picking since the MRF Zappers employed in the Duke 160 have earned praises in the past.
Coming to the handling part, the Duke 160 didn’t disappoint a bit. Although opportunities were scarce in a bustling Monday traffic in Delhi, whenever it got one, it was more than happy to lean into the corners. Be it changing lanes in a jiffy or darting into corners at high speeds, the Duke 160 proved that it has KTM genes inside. The nimble kerb weight meant the Duke 160 was flickable around corners and at same time, agile and stable on a straight line.
KTM Duke 160 review: Smooth Performance
Another major attraction of the KTM Duke 160 is its performance and it wasn’t the thrilling speed or acceleration that surprised us. Instead, the refinement of this 164.2cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine did. We haven’t seen such a refined motor from KTM in a long time. People who have ridden KTMs will understand this because the inherent gruff nature of the engine is almost an identification mark for the Austrian brand.
| Engine Type | Liquid Cooled, 4 stroke, Single Cylinder, SOHC, Internal Combustion Engine |
| Engine Displacement | 164.2 cc |
| Peak Power | 18.73 bhp @ 9500 rpm |
| MAX Torque | 15.5 Nm at 7500 rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Clutch | Wet plate with slip and assist |
KTM says this new engine has been derived from the 200cc unit in Duke and RC 200, but somewhere within we felt a Bajaj Pulsar speaking to us. Unfortunately, we can’t confirm the same. This new engine is smooth and very tractable, something which the new-gen Bajaj Pulsars have achieved. There is more than enough grunt at the bottom end of the rev range, making low-speed rides a breeze. This clearly indicates Bajaj’s involvement in developing the Duke 160.
No matter in which gear you are, one only needs to pull the throttle and the bike accelerates briskly without losing its composure. That said, in our brief stint with the bike, we continuously hit the rev limiter within 6000-6500 rpm range, even though peak power and torque arrive much later at 9500 rpm and 7500 rpm, respectively. KTM says this will be sorted after tge bike goes into its first servicing.
Nevertheless, the overall performance is clean and linear, which is what one would expect from a street naked bike designed for the urban jungle. Braking is another positive attribute about the KTM Duke 160 which would inspire confidence among newbie riders. Although progressive in nature, there is enough feedback from the lever and the pedal. The ABS isn’t too intrusive but knows when to kick in, to avoid any mishaps.
KTM Duke 160 review: Verdict
It’s important to understand who are the target buyers for KTM with the Duke 160 and after careful analysis, we have come to the conclusion that this naked streetfighter is a perfect first bike for new riders— including college students and young professionals below the age of 25 mostly. Young riders who want something fun, thrilling, and easy-to-ride but don’t want a manic performance that scares the sh*t out of you, will find a perfect match with the KTM Duke 160.
Yes, at Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom), the Duke 160 is a little too pricey for what it has to offer on paper and that is a big drawback for a budget-sensitive market like India. One can get much more premium bikes with better equipment at this price point. So as it turns out, the new KTM Duke 160, like its brethren, is all about the heart and very little about the brain.
