[tabrez]

The Orange onslaught continues as Overdrive now reports this

http://overdrive.in/news-cars-auto/e...ia-next-month/

KTM is planning to launch their entry level bike of veritable Duke series. Finally, some excitement in that otherwise mundane 125cc segment. I really hope this sees the day of the light and for the enthusiasts on a budget, this proves to be viable option.

[hiren.mistry]

I am not sure how good a decision is by KTM to bring in it's smallest bike top India. I also wonder which version will they launch?

In the UK, it's offered with same LED headlights and all color TFT dash as the Duke 390. As a result it's priced quite close to the Duke 390 too, around 4.2K GBP before offers. The Duke 390 costs 4.8K GBP I think.

If KTM prices the baby Duke close to 390 then it would find very few takers. Also KTM will now have a Duke 125 (version unknown), Duke 200 (older version), Duke 250 (new but without LED headlights and TFT dash) and Duke 390 (Full fat version with all bells and whistles).

If this bike has any hopes to seeing reasonable sale numbers, then it has to be based on the current Duke 200.

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Originally Posted by tabrez

KTM is planning to launch their entry level bike of veritable Duke series. Finally, some excitement in that otherwise mundane 125cc segment.

Not sure if its a good move as Indians associate pricing with engine capacity, and the Duke 125 will surely be much more costlier than any other 125cc bikes out there.

Same reason why the European 125cc learner class hasn't made its entry into the Indian market till now.

[anjan_c2007]

It's a welcome decision and more bikers could opt for the sporty machine if it lives up to the expectations of the enthusiasts. A lower engine capacity machine with its unique identity and personality has not come to the Indian market after the departure of the Yamaha RX 100 and also the Suzuki Shogun.

Multinationals and Indian companies are all offering 150 cc - 250 cc engine capacity or more, bikes in the lighter bike segment, with some identity and personality, but none fill the untimely vacuum created by the sudden departure of the RX 100 and its charisma. Even Yamaha has not been able to offer a matching option in its erstwhile domain.

We can only hope that bike makers realise that this niche is also important, as many bikers do not go for heavier bikes for whatever reasons.

[payeng]

125 cc, 15 Ps Limit exists in some European countries because of its Licensing Laws. Its not as if whole of Europe just can't get enough of 125 cc bikes.

I am still not sure how does a European spec 125 cc would appeal to the Indian taste.

[quickfox11]

They need to rip it down to cut costs (TFT screen and all), keeping the aesthetics intact, and definitely with dual channel ABS. And college going janta is going to ditch dios and activas and get into the KTM gang!

[GTO]

Originally Posted by CrAzY dRiVeR

Not sure if its a good move as Indians associate pricing with engine capacity

Interesting point. Is it because so many bike model names include the engine size? E.g. RX100, RD350, CD100, CBR954RR etc.? Is that what lead to pricing = engine capacity perceptions?

It's not the case with cars. You'll see 15-lakh rupee products powered by a 2.2 liter engine (XUV500), and a 50-lakh car with a 2.0L diesel (A6). The ubiquitous 1.2L size powers hatchbacks from 4 lakh rupees all the way to 10 lakhs!

[Turbokick]

Originally Posted by GTO

Interesting point. Is it because so many bike model names include the engine size? E.g. RX100, RD350, CD100, CBR954RR etc.? Is that what lead to pricing = engine capacity perceptions?

It's not the case with cars. You'll see 15-lakh rupee products powered by a 2.2 liter engine (XUV500), and a 50-lakh car with a 2.0L diesel (A6). The ubiquitous 1.2L size powers hatchbacks from 4 lakh rupees all the way to 10 lakhs!

Depends actually. We have products like Yamaha R15 (150cc bike) which retails close to 1.5 lakhs while there are some 200 or more cc bikes available below 1 lakh. And R15 is reasonably successful for its real world performance and engineering.

KTM125 won't be a good idea because the actual cost would surely be over 1 lakh (close to the ktm 200 series) due to the hardware /features and yet performance /power will be pretty Limited

[Balaji31582]

Bajaj has been hitting the bulls-eye so far in terms of pricing. I am expecting a surprise from them when they launch this KTM 125. My expectation is that, as R15 sells almost 7K~8K copies every month, getting in KTM125 and if possible a RC125 with right pricing will be a way to try and get some share from those numbers.

[Thermodynamics]

Current pricing of 125 cc vehicles is 54000 - 90000 and for 150/160 cc is 65000 - 127000

Not sure, if KTM would be able to price the 125 cc below the 1 lakh mark. Even if it does so, Bajaj pulser 150 at 65000/- would still remain a serious contender / better value proposition.

[VWikram]

KTM would probably base it on the 250 platform rather than the 390, this may not bring down the costs to a large extent but would surely gap it well with the 200 (30k ball park)

[ashwinprakas]

Displacement only affects maximum load bearing capability.

State of tune makes a whole lot of difference as well, the Duke 125 with an insane 14.5:1 CR and 250cc less displacement resistance than the Duke 390 would give better oomph from a feel of the butt perspective.

After all KTM ain't stupid to bring out a machine that hauls similar wet weight running on similar rubbers with a 250cc reduction in displacement.

People! The KTM Duke 125 is the future!

But yeah, I guess it would be challenging to sell something so ahead of its times in a country like India where buyers are more bling-sensitive.

More pathetic than sad.

[nitro.1000bhp]

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

Displacement only affects maximum load bearing capability.

State of tune makes a whole lot of difference as well, the Duke 125 with an insane 14.5:1 CR and 250cc less displacement resistance than the Duke 390 would give better oomph from a feel of the butt perspective.

After all KTM ain't stupid to bring out a machine that hauls similar wet weight running on similar rubbers with a 250cc reduction in displacement.

People! The KTM Duke 125 is the future!

But yeah, I guess it would be challenging to sell something so ahead of its times in a country like India where buyers are more bling-sensitive.

More pathetic than sad.

I seriously doubt the 125 would feel faster than 390 or 200. Seat of butt or otherwise. The only marked improvement would be the handling as the 125 would have lesser rotating mass (inertia) than 200 or 390. Precisely why the 200 feels more eager to tip into the corner than 390.

I do echo your thoughts about the future being small and agile . We need more fun, lightweight bikes in our market. This perception that small capacity bikes have to be dull, boring commuters should change soon with bikes like these

[aravind.anand]

Originally Posted by GTO

It's not the case with cars. You'll see 15-lakh rupee products powered by a 2.2 liter engine (XUV500), and a 50-lakh car with a 2.0L diesel (A6). The ubiquitous 1.2L size powers hatchbacks from 4 lakh rupees all the way to 10 lakhs!

Not so in cars, as you would have other parameters like comfort, space, body style, equipment, etc. Here on two wheels, the number of options you can provide is limited, and the biggest distinguishing factor in these basic machines is their engine size. Like the Honda CBR250R cannot offer any more comfort features over a Pulsar 150. Performance apart, there is very little to differentiate them.

It would be a different subject when we involve brand equity, and features from CBU bikes like ride by wire, riding modes, traction control, etc.

[comfortablynumb]

I hope they keep the price a little bit premium-ish at least, and also retain the split seats, else it won't be long before we see this scene on a KTM 125 :

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/ride-...ml#post4284300 (Cop sees 5 people on a motorcycle; folds his hands in resignation)

Cheers,
Vikram