KTM Duke 250 2024 Review

KTM has recently launched its all new updated version of the KTM Duke 250 and its a beast of a machine to say the least. The all new evolved duke comes with a plethora of comprehensive features that one might find overwhelming just because of the sheer amount of features loaded in this bike. The bike has gotten a special treatment as the features installed in this iteration of the KTM Duke 250 Gen 3 is directly borrowed from the Duke 390 it’s older sibling. S[peaking of the features here are few of them that you might find very welcoming and appealing like the bi-directional quickshifter, dual-channel ABS with a supermoto mode, a 5-inch LCD instrument cluster with a 4-way switch and many more.

Now without further a due lets get right into the review shall we.

Design & Quality

Starting off with the look of the all new KTM 250 Gen 3, calling it menacing would be an understatement as its looks justifies it’s performance as well but we’ll get into that later. This new generational evolution of the bike takes its design inspiration form its older sibling i.e KTM 390 as well as the KTM 1290. 

You can clearly see the Duke 390 and 1290 inspired muscular tank shrouds with a upsweep tail section which has a very soft and comfortable two-piece seat that has been changed from the previous version i.e KTM Duke 250 Gen 2. The saddle height has also gone down from 830 mm from the previous Gen 2 KTM 250 to 800 mm in the Gen 3 KTM 250 for more comfortable ground reach.

The bike also offers a premium build quality from the paint and panels to the switch gears are top notch. The navigational buttons are also quite tactile and responsive.  

This new iteration of the Duke 250 also comes with a bigger 15 L fuel tank which is the same as the 390 Duke. Saying that there are also differences between these siblings that sets them apart from each other. 

First the obvious difference is the additional color scheme available for the all new KTM 250 Gen 3 which is a white and orange combination with orange wheels.

Second difference between the two is in the headlamp even though the new KTM 250 Gen 3  comes equipped with a full LED setup it doesn’t however get the LED drls like the 390 and the whole unit is also smaller too. 

Features & Tech

Now talking about the features of the all new KTM 250 Gen 3 it comes with a plethora of  attributes which finally makes it feel like a more complete package. Let’s start off with it’s 5-inch LCD display that is a welcome upgrade from the basic looking console from the KTM 250 Gen 2. Now this iteration of the Duke 250 also supports bluetooth connectivity and can be paired to a smartphone which inturn provides you with the accessibility of navigation, music playback, answering calls.  

The large 5-inch LCD of the new KTM 250 shows you information regarding coolant temperature, battery voltage, estimated range, two trip meters (each with trip distance), average speed, average fuel consumption and trip time.

You can customize the display and tweak other controls. These other controls include a new quick shifter plus which is a bidirectional unit and a dual-channel ABS with Super Moto Mode.

 To toggle through the menu on the display is the new 4-way switch cube, which adds to the premium experience of the 250 Duke.  

The display is crisp and clear even on the brightest of days. Since you can have only four secondary information pieces shown along with speedo and tacho, the unit looks neat and clean. And under this display is a neatly positioned USB charging socket for your phone. Other than that the Gen 3 250 Duke comes with a hazard light switch and Ride by wire throttle as standard.         

Engine & Performance

Talking about the 249 cc engine on the 250 Duke it’s natural to assume that this engine is the same as the previous gen model with only a slight increase in power but it couldn’t be more father than the truth. As, this motor on the Gen 3 250 Duke is a completely new LC4C engine. 

This engine is a SOHC type engine which is a Single Overhead Camshaft engine and not a dual overhead camshaft engine like the previous gen model. This change occurred to build a more cost effective engine while keepingh the performance, the thriftiness and the overall character of the new 250 Duke. Saying that the power output has not changed drastically as the new 250 Duke provides 31 BHP @ 9500 rpm which is a BHP more than before and 25 NM @ 7500 of torque which is also 1 NM more. 

The new 250 Duke now gets a smaller, 43-tooth rear sprocket (previously 46-tooth) which helps it attain a higher top speed at the cost of slower acceleration. However, with the 8 kg weight loss, the 250 becomes quicker, faster, and more agile.

Ride & Impressions

Getting to the riding experience on the new KTM 250 Duke we felt that the bunch of chassis updates really did complement its engine. As, the bike is equipped with an entirely new trellis frame and aluminium sub-frame, which now makes room for the new bigger airbox. 

The offset monoshock and the thicker 43 mm USD fork come next. We did think the front end was a little soft, though. Thankfully, the monoshock includes preload adjustability, so you should be able to customize it to your liking.

The MRF Steel Brace tyres, which are fairly good for the performance the 250 has to give, are mounted on the new, lighter wheels on both ends. However, if you want to go all out with corner carving, the front suspension's softness may be a barrier. Braking is handled by a 320mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear. 

The bike offers an exhilarating experience with its ride-by-wire throttle system,providing precise throttle response exactly when you need it. Whether you're zipping through city streets, the Duke 250 feels alive under your command.

One of the standout features of this model is its quick shifter, which allows for seamless upshifts at higher RPMs. However, there are some noticeable hiccups when shifting from 1st to 2nd gear, and from 2nd to 3rd gear. This lag, possibly attributed to the transition from 1st to neutral to 2nd, can disrupt the otherwise smooth riding experience. Fortunately, once you're past these initial gears, shifting becomes smoother, especially from 3rd to 6th gear at higher RPMs. Additionally, the inclusion of rev matching during downshifting adds a layer of refinement to the overall riding dynamics.

While the quick shifter enhances the Duke 250's performance, its effectiveness diminishes at lower RPMs, resulting in a less-than-optimal experience. During these situations,  to revert to traditional clutch operation for smoother gear changes.

Despite its quirks, the Duke 250 remains an incredibly enjoyable ride, with impressive acceleration and responsive handling. 

All and all the KTM 250 Duke Gen 3 is a motorcycle which is very aggressively priced at Rs. 7,39,900 and is available at your nearest KTM Duke showrooms. The bike is a breeze to ride on and with the new upgrades it seems to have outdone itself and raised its standard much higher than its previous version.