+1 to that, guys please take up R15 vs CBR250R debate in other threads.. if you are involving Duke 200 in the mix, then we don't have any problem. Till now bikers got options in faired bikes in premium space (just assuming that anything over 1 lakh is premium in our market). Here comes Duke 200, which is naked, hot and looks different when compared to competition and what's more, it comes with intimidating specs. So, let's see how it fares in market.

Why does a motorcycle has to look big in order to have a good road presence? I can understand the popular notion of "size does matter", but in this context, not really! A good manufacturer always keeps a motorcycle's size appropriate as to what it mostly meant to do - city riding, touring, stunting or off-roading.

Normally, motorcycles meant to tour (primarily or as one of their main characteristics) are made big in size to accommodate luggage that the rider carries. Also, they normally have bigger fuel tanks so that they can carry more fuel considering their purpose. It's not like one cannot tour on other types of bikes, sure one can, but then certain motorcycles have certain primary purposes.

Here KTM 200 is primarily meant to be a killer city motorcycle (I imagine myself to be correct here). Hence, it's not supposed to be big in size. Well, size is again subjective just like the design of a motorcycle. Some may find it to be small enough while others may not. Having said this, it's not supposed to be big in size since it's a motorcycle meant to be ridden mainly within city limits so it has to be nimble enough to handle Indian traffic situations with ease. And a compact design would be appropriate and it can still command a fantastic road presence. Road presence depends on the design of a motorcycle as much as on it's size. So there. Look at the new R15 v2.0, it's compact but still is quite noticeable when seen on the road.

EDIT: As payeng has mentioned, considering the motorcycle's seat height, fat front forks and long wheelbase, it should be big enough as well.

a larger tank means you have a safer bet.. nobody plans for a petrol stop more than for lunch.. with the ktm you have to think about petrol first lunch later. you might find a petrol bunk easily on major highways but on the road less traveled or if you get lost.. the last thing you want to worry about is low fuel. ofcourse this can happen in any bike.. but then smaller the tank higher the chance. I suppose the CBR isnt any better off and it calls itself a sports tourer (in ad).

Plus you cant do this.

bro, this pic could be at least 3 years old,...new gas stations are budding every hour
did the KTM 200 doesn't have a fuel gauge like Ninja 250R...

Every hour eh !!

Sorry couldnt help it!

Sigh.. Hope that does not happen on the Tandi stretch for a few more years!!

Guys don't talk about fuel gauges, I had a very bad experience with a Ninja 250R.

Fuel Gauge is a must on any bike, hope the Duke comes with one else I am dropping my plan of buying one

376 new fuel outlets starting in kerala....still feeling its a joke

Yea!

Coz that picture is about 3500 kms away from Kerala

Sorry for the noob question - Are there bikes (new gen bikes) that come without a fuel gauge?

Duke 200 comes with Fuel Injection and so the range should be displayed on it's digital console. I'm sure guys into touring will have backup petrol storage.. one more point is, next petrol station may be far, but that doesn't mean you won't find people selling petrol in bottles on road side (which is for sure not the highest quality!!).

Also, as pointed out by Shubz.. that pic is years old now, some new petrol station would have come up by this type. One more point is it talking about next IOC petrol station by any chance, could it be that other petrol stations are there, but they are not IOC??

Alright... Lets say if Ninja 650R gives mileage of 20 and it has a 15L tank which means 300kms...

And Duke got 10L tank with atleast 30Kmpl then it equals to 300Kms... Now which one is a good tour bike?

By the way these days we need not to worry about Petrol tanks.

Duke 200 inherits most of its genes from Duke 125 which is engineered for a more mature market. That means This machine have an engineering that is in R125 class not R15.

So sad to learn that many are saying that Duke 200 is not worth over 1.3L
even Xbhpians are still stuck in numbers!

Somebody even dragged ZMR here!(i personally believes that zmr have no qualification to be compared with Duke 200 ) No offense intended either to the poster or Heromoto.

And those who just believes in power figures, please understand that there is other things as well (remember , R15 needed 4 Hp less only to keep himself with a p220 - no arguments please)

Really Duke 200 deserves a bit more respect.

many Indians are over conservative when it comes bikes. 19 hp from 350 cc is acceptable for them (obviously vedic technology). However 25+Hp from 200 cc with modern tech is not digestible. strange!

I am personally requesting respect for Duke!

Duke 200 has it and it even shows 'range to empty' distance. I think this is very rare to find on bikes.
-----------------------------

I've always wondered how Harley-Davidsons - one of the best touring bikes - can crunch thousands of miles in a single tank.

If I were to tour with duke 200 (and I will), I'd carry a few 2 liter bottles filled with petrol in saddle bags. Hell people tour with Honda Dio and don't worry that much.

I am hoping someone from BAL is on this forum and feeling great about the kind of reception the Duke is getting!

KTM launches Duke 200 at EICMA

seems like bsmotoring expecting this bike to be priced at 1.2 - 1.35 L, if that happens then that would be end of the road for competition. I mean that will make anybody think twice before going for the other bikes.