Can the KTM 200 Duke survive riding in knee deep water? [w/video]

The biker breed in the country sure got in awe of the newly launched KTM 200 Duke’s underbelly exhaust that hid itself under the 200cc motor of the KTM in rather stealthy manner. The idea of incorporating the exhaust unit under the engine presented the machine with more benefits than just cosmetic advantages. It allowed for better centralization of mass thus improving the handling on the KTM 200 Duke to a great extent. And even with the exhaust canister placed down below, the ground clearance of 165mm has been managed by its makers, giving the 200 Duke sufficient practicalities for our roads.

But the veil of doubt that has been troubling most bikers in the country is how the 200 Duke will tackle the massive downpour and the subsequent water clogging on most Indian roads during the monsoon. With the submerged exhaust, will the bike be even remotely usable during rains, or will it be a sunshine only beauty that will have to be hidden and locked inside a garage for rainy part of the year? Knowing the psyche of the Indian buyers, the KTM-Bajaj collaboration has released a new video that showcases the KTM 200 Duke’s resilience and endurance when ridden through knee deep water, which is what many bikers in the country have to deal with during the monsoons.

The video carries out four different tests of the KTM 200 Duke (Read : First Ride) being tested through a water channel that replicates the average water clogging conditions on our roads. In the video, the test rider effortlessly wades through knee-deep water at about 15km/h and then even shuts off the engine for about 30 minutes before restarting the bike and continuing riding. The KTM 200 Duke can also be seen idling without any hiccups with the exhaust unit completely submerged under water. This is a good insight into the KTM 200 Duke’s all-weather fortitude and it should help erase any doubts concerning its potential for wet weather riding on Indian roads.

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