[TusharK]

The 2021 KTM 125 Duke has started reaching dealerships ahead of its formal launch.



The updated KTM 125 Duke gets revised styling that’s in line with larger capacity versions of the Duke. The bike is based around an updated trellis frame. It is equipped with a halogen headlamp instead of an LED unit but gets a digital instrument cluster. The latter does not get Bluetooth connectivity.



The updated 125 Duke weighs 7 kg more than the outgoing model. The seat height has also been increased by 4 mm, while fuel tank capacity has gone up from 10.5 litres to 13.5 litres.



The 125 Duke is powered by a BS6-compliant 124cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 14.3 BHP @ 9,250 rpm and 12 Nm @ 8,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission.

Source

[ebonho]

I love the fact that they stuck to the brilliant underbody exhaust.

The bigger KTMs lost their signature 2-strokish manic sound when they shifted to the conventional side slung cans.

Cheers, Doc

[giri1.8]

While the design looks better, sad to see KTM bikes gaining weight! My gen 1 Duke 200 is just 125kg dry and around 136kg wet.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by giri1.8

While the design looks better, sad to see KTM bikes gaining weight! My gen 1 Duke 200 is just 125kg dry and around 136kg wet.

Totally agree man.

Weight loss (and staying slim) costs money.

I have a feeling that the money guys are cutting corners slowly and steadily.

Cheers, Doc

[Venkatesh]

Select dealerships have commenced accepting bookings for the 2021 KTM 125 Duke for a token amount of Rs. 5000. Expect it to be priced Rs. 8000 more expensive than the outgoing version.

https://www.carandbike.com/news/2021...h-soon-2334595

[TusharK]

KTM has launched the updated 125 Duke priced at Rs. 1,50,010 (ex-showroom, Delhi).



The styling of the 125 Duke is inspired by the 1290 Super Duke. It features a split trellis frame similar to its siblings with larger capacity engines. The bike comes equipped with a halogen headlamp and a digital instrument cluster.



KTM claims to have worked on improving the ergonomics. The bike gets revised rider and pillion seats. The bike also gets an updated suspension setup, a larger 13.5-litre fuel tank and it now weighs 159 kg (kerb weight).



The 125 Duke is powered by a BS6-compliant 124.7cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that delivers 14.3 BHP @ 9,250 rpm and 12 Nm @ 8,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission.



The bike is equipped with 43 mm WP upside down fork suspension at the front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear. Braking is handled by a 300 mm disc at the front and a 230 mm disc at the rear. It has single-channel ABS.

The 125 Duke is available in two colour options – Electronic Orange and Ceramic White.

Link to Team-BHP News

[narayan]

I wonder why they didn’t go the whole hog and spec it up like the 2017 international model with the TFT display and full LED head lamps. Now that will conflict with the India 200/250 model which hasn’t got these yet but would have atleast made the pricey 125 more desirable.

Also is this a return to under belly exhaust for all future model updates or again a cost related move ?

[VijayAnand1]

Originally Posted by narayan

I wonder why they didn’t go the whole hog and spec it up like the 2017 international model with the TFT display and full LED head lamps. Now that will conflict with the India 200/250 model which hasn’t got these yet but would have atleast made the pricey 125 more desirable.

Also is this a return to under belly exhaust for all future model updates or again a cost related move ?

Definitely cost related and an aesthetic move. Partly to be blamed are the tree huggers, as they unanimously made almost everything that moves with fossil fuel expensive and heavy.

Originally Posted by ebonho

I love the fact that they stuck to the brilliant underbody exhaust.

The bigger KTMs lost their signature 2-strokish manic sound when they shifted to the conventional side slung cans.

Cheers, Doc

Indeed. The underbelly exhaust had more pros than cons as per KTM technical talk, where they explain the engineering and the unique advantages it provides. Secondly, I echo your thoughts on the sound, the older KTMs were rowdy and were a raw deal pretty much. Some dissed the exhaust note correlating it with an auto rickshaw. The real magic lay once the engine explodes past 5.5k RPM, such an aggressive note.

Cheers!
VJ

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by VijayAnand1

Indeed. The underbelly exhaust had more pros than cons as per KTM technical talk, where they explain the engineering and the unique advantages it provides. Secondly, I echo your thoughts on the sound, the older KTMs were rowdy and were a raw deal pretty much. Some dissed the exhaust note correlating it with an auto rickshaw. The real magic lay once the engine explodes past 5.5k RPM, such an aggressive note.

Cheers!
VJ

The new ones sound like any generic four stroke.

No offense to any other genetic four stroke riders out there.

For some reason, the 690 in spite of having a side can never had the individual thumps thumper feel to it ... revved like our old 200s and 390s. Felt just a bit larger. Man that's one bike I would have loved in my garage ...

Cheers, Doc

[narayan]

Its been now 6 months with the Duke 125 and have put in around 2500kms. Some points from my ownership experience.

1. Fuel efficient - my indicated FE has always been between 49.7-50kmpl. Credit to this mostly goes to the ideal traffic conditions where I live now.
2. Bike gets smooth after a good warm up - so i usually idle it for about 3-5mins in the morning before riding off
3. There are vibes in the grips and under seat as you cross 70 and becomes more pronounced as you approach 90. Have taken it till 116kmph. no stability issues except the wind blast
4. Even after rides of around 20-25kms i can start feeling some heat in the ankle area. Not unbearable but noticeable and manageable
5. Ride is smooth. I haven't tinkered with the stock settings.
6. I don't know if this is a KTM engine trait - but the engine braking is quite prominent when you close the throttle. So ive now learnt to module the throttle better to avoid the engine breaking becoming too aggressive

Looking to keep this bike for another 6 months after which if i clear my next category license test, will move up to a 390 maybe

[narayan]

Hi guys
Do you know how much a starter relay costs in India for the Duke range ? Also aren’t these universal ? Wouldn’t any 12v relay work well in the Duke ?

Actually my stock relay failed 2 weeks back and ran on a spare relay from another brand bike. That one failed today. Are there any other things to trouble shoot ?

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by narayan

Hi guys
Do you know how much a starter relay costs in India for the Duke range ? Also aren’t these universal ? Wouldn’t any 12v relay work well in the Duke ?

Actually my stock relay failed 2 weeks back and ran on a spare relay from another brand bike. That one failed today. Are there any other things to trouble shoot ?

Around 300/-

Relays are universal provided the connectors match.

You could confirm if it is intact the relay that has crapped out by shorting the leads using a screw driver, though do note that it will generate sparks.

Regards,
A.P.

[narayan]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Around 300/-

Relays are universal provided the connectors match.

You could confirm if it is intact the relay that has crapped out by shorting the leads using a screw driver, though do note that it will generate sparks.

Regards,
A.P.

Hi AP
I ended up shorting it inadvertently and there was sparking. So that indicates the relay crapped out ?

[ashwinprakas]

Originally Posted by narayan

Hi AP
I ended up shorting it inadvertently and there was sparking. So that indicates the relay crapped out ?

Sparking is just a side effect.

When you short the leads it should cause the Self Starter to fire and the motorcycle to start.

If it doesn't then you need to be looking elsewhere as the issue isn't with the starter relay.

Or the most basic test is to listen for the relay clicking, if it doesn't click at all but other electricals work fine then you need to have a look at the fuse, if the fuse is fine and still the relay doesn't click then theres a good chance that your relays crapped out.

What shorting the leads does is bypass the relay and directly power the starter motor.

Hope that helps.

Regards,
A.P.

[SkylineGTR]

Why would anyone buy this over the FZ25?