KTM 125 Duke Bids Farewell: Entry-Level Street Bike Set To Exit Indian Roads
For years, the KTM 125 Duke has been the go-to bike for anyone wanting a taste of the Austrian brand’s head-turning style and performance without breaking the bank. With an ex-showroom price starting at ₹1.32 lakh and topping off at ₹1.81 lakh, the 125 Duke made KTM’s aggressive street presence accessible to students, young professionals, and first-time sport bike riders. But come April 2025, this once-popular entry point is gone—KTM has officially decided to discontinue the model in India.
What made the KTM 125 Duke stand out? It carried a 124.7cc, single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine under its sharp bodywork. That motor produced a healthy 14.5 PS of power and 12 Nm of torque, pretty impressive numbers for a 125cc street bike. Even more unusual for the segment, KTM fit the Duke with a 6-speed gearbox—a clear sign they didn’t want riders to feel left out compared to bigger displacement machines. Riders regularly reported fuel efficiency figures pushing almost 47 kmpl, meaning city commutes didn’t pinch the wallet.
Safety and style were never skipped. The bike weighed 148 kg, handling city traffic or tight corners with ease. For stopping power, the bike had dual disc brakes paired with single-channel ABS, giving extra peace of mind, especially for new riders. Suspension duties were handled by WP’s inverted front forks—something you’d usually only see on larger, more expensive motorcycles. Add in full LED tail lights, a digital dash, tachometer, vibrant color choices, and you had a package that looked and felt a cut above any other 125cc bike out there. In fact, it was the only 125cc motorcycle in India offering both liquid cooling and a 6-speed gearbox straight from the factory.
So, why pull the plug now? Despite the strong features, the rising price point meant more buyers were nudged towards the KTM 200 Duke, which comes with a chunkier engine and is now the new entry-level bike at ₹2.06 lakh. As younger riders’ expectations and spending power shift upward, KTM saw an opportunity to shake up its lineup further. There’s already buzz about the new KTM 160 Duke, expected to launch at ₹1.85 lakh this August, and the faired KTM RC 160 set for an October debut at ₹1.95 lakh. These models promise a sportier performance leap and fresh features, likely making them the next big thing for urban riders who want a bit more punch than the outgoing Duke 125.
The Future of KTM’s Entry Segment
If you’ve always seen yourself on a KTM but just missed out on the last 125 Duke, the future still looks interesting. The 200 Duke brings more power and retains that streetfighter attitude, but with a higher sticker price. The upcoming 160cc siblings aim to hit that sweet balance—giving a performance bump over the old 125, newer tech, and a fresh look, while not wandering far from the price bracket that made the 125 Duke so attractive.
This shift doesn’t just change things for KTM fans. It’s a signal for the whole Indian motorcycle market—brands need to offer more than just a big badge and catchy design to appeal to India’s young, value-conscious buyers. Features like liquid-cooled engines and advanced gearboxes are here to stay, but as options in slightly bigger, more capable bikes.
The Duke 125’s farewell marks the end of a chapter, but it’s also KTM’s cue to shake up the entry-level segment with bikes that are faster, smarter, and perhaps a tad pricier. The road ahead looks busy for India’s affordable performance motorcycle scene.