KTM to Launch Most Affordable 160 Duke in India Soon, Aiming to Rival Pulsar and Apache

KTM, renowned for its sporty motorcycles, is gearing up to launch its most affordable bike in India—the much-anticipated 160 Duke. This new model will be the cheapest in KTM’s Indian lineup, which currently ranges in price from around Rs 2.06 lakh to Rs 22.96 lakh.

The company has recently teased the upcoming 160 Duke, which is being developed especially for the Indian market alongside the RC 160. Earlier this year, KTM decided to discontinue the 125 Duke and RC 125 due to poor sales, making way for these newer models. The 160 Duke is expected to be priced competitively around Rs 1.70 lakh to Rs 1.80 lakh (ex-showroom), putting it in direct competition with popular bikes like the Yamaha MT-15 V2.0, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, and Bajaj Pulsar NS200.

Although KTM has not yet officially revealed the powertrain details, the 160 Duke is expected to be based on the 200 Duke platform but powered by a smaller 160cc single-cylinder engine. This engine is anticipated to be a downsized version of the 200 Duke’s liquid-cooled motor, delivering about 19 bhp of power and 15 Nm of peak torque through a 6-speed gearbox. This balance aims to offer both good mileage for daily commuting and enough punch for spirited riding.

In terms of features, the 160 Duke is likely to come equipped with a trellis frame, USD front forks, rear monoshock suspension, disc brakes with dual-channel ABS, all-LED lighting, and a TFT digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity—similar to the 200 Duke. Following the launch of the 160 Duke, KTM is expected to introduce the RC 160 later this year, which will sport a full fairing design.

With these upcoming launches, KTM looks set to strengthen its position in the competitive 160-200cc segment, challenging rivals like Pulsar and Apache by offering a feature-packed, stylish bike at an attractive price point.