Thrill Seekers Only: A KTM 125 Duke Review

KTM 125 Duke Review: Not only is the new 125 Duke learner-legal naked packed with features, but it also exudes a high level of craftsmanship and striking aesthetic appeal. It outperforms all of its competitors, and youths with A1 licenses will be pounding down the doors of KTM dealers.

Power isn’t really necessary for A1-legal 125s; instead, what matters is that they stand out, and the KTM 125 Duke Review is head and shoulders above the competition in this category thanks to its inverted forks, brazen appearance, clever technology, and potential for knee-down handling.

Table of Contents

Ride quality & brakes

Sporty naked is Duke’s thing, and the KTM 125 Duke Review is no different. With its brand-new swingarm and chassis, the mini-Duke is incredibly light. It handles curves with ease and exudes confidence when parked thanks to its wide wheels and high-quality Michelin Road 5 tires.

It is effortless in the city, and incredibly laid-back, and beginning riders will find comfort in the seat’s 30 mm lower height (KTM sells 20 mm risers if it’s too low). Thankfully, the Duke retains its “big bike” feel despite its revised chassis, so taller riders won’t feel crowded. Additionally, the new braking setup is quite good.

The KTM 125 Duke Review has plenty of stopping power, more than enough for its 154 kg weight, thanks to its new four-piston radial caliper, bigger diameter front brake disc, braided line, and angle-responsive ABS, which is now standard on all 125cc bikes worldwide.

Engine

The LC4c engine is a fully revised engine with a four-valve cylinder head that is now SOHC rather than DOHC, although having nearly the same proportions as the previous model (technically 0.1mm greater bore and an extra 0.2cc). KTM was able to reduce the size and improve the efficiency of the head while maintaining the A1-legal peak power output of 14.8 bhp and 8.5 ft. lb of torque by doing away with the camshaft. Is it as feisty, though? That is up for debate.

Although the new motor can reach 60 mph, it seems quite flat in its low and midrange. To move the bike ahead, it must run at a speed above 6000 rpm, which usually means pushing it hard in fifth gear rather than shifting up and letting the revs drop. If you keep the engine running, it will go up to 50 mph but quickly loses power over 60 mph, particularly when going up an incline. After a day of heavy acceleration, it achieved 71 mpg or about 250 miles per tank.

Reliability & build quality

Bajaj manufactures the KTM 125 Duke Review and all KTM small-capacity singles, but despite their affordable price, no compromises appear to have been made, and as the past ten years have shown, being made in India hasn’t hurt the KTM’s sales.

Details like the well-fitting bodywork, the brake and clutch levers that can be adjusted, the bar end mirrors, and the premium Michelin Road 5 tires give the Duke the appearance of being a high-quality vehicle. Nor is there any evidence that the new engine will encounter any major issues. Nevertheless, KTM’s larger-capacity motorcycles are far from impenetrable, and some owners have voiced their annoyance.

Value vs rivals

Although the KTM 125 Duke reviews costs £4889, which is at the higher end of the A1-legal market, the KTM 125 Duke Review appears to be a great value given its strong spec level. The price of the Suzuki GSX-S125 is £4999, the Yamaha MT-125 is £5102, the Kawasaki Z125 is £4378, the Honda CB125R is £4249, and the Aprilia Tuono 125 is £4400 (down from £4650). In case that wasn’t all that alluring, KTM is currently offering 3.9% APR rates on HP or 4.9% APR rates on PCP.

Equipment

The KTM 125 Duke Review comes equipped with two power modes, a speed restrictor, a lap timer, a USB port, self-canceling indicators, and a new 5-in TFT dash with connectivity. An up/down quick-shifter is an optional accessory that costs £225.61. A wave-style front disc, different exhaust options, CNC-machined parts, luggage, screens, and more are included in KTM’s PowerParts catalog of add-ons.

Specs
Engine size	124cc
Engine type	Liquid-cooled, 4v, SOHC, single
Frame type	Steel trellis
Fuel capacity	15 litres
Seat height	800mm
Bike weight	154kg
Front Suspension	Single WP Apex rear shock, adjustable preload
Rear Suspension	Single WP Apex rear shock, adjustable preload
Front brake	1 x 320mm discs with a four-piston radial caliper. Cornering ABS
Rear brake	240mm single disc with two-piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Front tyre size	110/70 x 17
Rear tyre size	150/60 x 17