KTM To Launch The 160 Duke And RC 160 Soon?

The KTM 160 Duke and the RC 160 could soon replace the 125 Duke and the RC125 in India.  With the new 160cc models, KTM wants to take on the Yamaha R15 and the MT-15,  which have a combined sales figure of over 20,000 monthly units. 

One of the reasons for the discontinuation of the 125 twins could be their lack of sales; also, the RC125 is the most expensive 125cc bike in India. At the same time, the KTM 125s also lack performance as compared to the aforementioned Yamaha bikes. 

Engine Details 

The upcoming KTM 160 Duke and RC 160 will be based on the 200 Duke and RC 200. The new 160cc engine will be a downsized version of the 200cc engine. The current 125cc engine makes 14.5PS and 12Nm and we can expect the new 160cc engine to make around 18-20PS and 15-17Nm. This should bring the orange firepower at par with the Yamahas’. That will also bring a significant difference from the orange 200s. 

Same Underpinnings and Features?

Expect the new upcoming KTM bikes to share the same underpinnings as the 200cc models. They will most likely have the same trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe, a USD fork and a monoshock, cast-aluminium swingarm, radial brake callipers, and 17-inch alloy wheels at both ends. 

In terms of features, the new 160cc bikes may continue with the same LCD cluster but could have  an LED headlight similar to the 200s. They should also have dual-channel ABS. 

Expected Price and Launch Date

The KTM 125 Duke is priced at Rs 1,81,030 and the RC 125 at Rs 1,91,795.  Expect the 160cc models to command a slight premium and could be priced at Rs 1.85 lakh up to Rs 2.0 lakh. The main rivals of the upcoming 160cc KTMs are the Yamaha MT-15 and the R15 V4 which are priced at Rs 1,69,050 and Rs 1,83,600. All prices,ex-showroom, Delhi. While KTM may price the 160cc models aggressively, it is unlikely that they will undercut Yamahas. 

The new KTM 160 models are expected to launch by mid-2025, just before the festive season starts. KTM may launch the 160 Duke first and may follow up with the RC 160. The new 160 models will be a great entry point for anyone who is looking to get their first KTM motorcycle and have a better value-for-money quotient than before

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