Hi Payeng. havent gone through your report yet, however would like to ask is it true that the Duke is quite torquey from idle.

I mean not like CBR or R15, where it is dead or slow below certain rpm (4000)

I am looking for something like my 220 Dtsi, that has Torque On Demand, and never feels gasping for Power.

I guess you understand what i am trying to say. I am looking for something that is a mixture of P220 and FZ.

The only other bike apart from 220 that brought a smile on my face was FZ.

Would appreciate your reply. Thanks.

according to the review here, the red line is alterable, so is it true !??

nicely done sir !!
can't wait for the first lot to arrive now!.. don't know how many more sleepless nights will i be going through.

Shubz,

From I've heard (Source: PBKs) that your Mumbai number does not include Navi Mumbai
(Very Impressive, considering that we have only one PBK dealer in Mumbai, as of now)

If you want to ride at 130 kmph most of the time, then better go for the CBR250R.. the short gearing (just look the big rear sprocket) of the 200 Duke, makes it sound and feel "angry" at 130 kmph.



Usually long stroke engines (Royal Efield Models) or Square engines (Most desi bikes) give Torque on Demand. Short Stroke/Over Square engines are rev happy and need to be revved to be enjoyed fully.

The 200 Duke has a Short Stroke engine therefore one can't expect it to jump out of the block without giving a twist of the right wrist. Just twist the throttle on the 200 Duke and let the gearing do the rest..

.. on the 200 Duke its almost Deja Vu of 2 stroke bikes of yore, even the exhaust note "slightly, very slightly" reminds you of the 2 stroke wail.

Can you help understand what this means pls? Because the French word,"Deja Vu" means, "already seen"; I own both two stroke & a 4 joke ride & the 4 joke is no way comparable to the 2 stroke engine I have. So I'd like to know, which 2 stroke bike you're "Deja Vu"ing" with Katoom 200?

Thanks Bro,

Engine would cut off , did not quite get that, would that mean the bike would stall ? Sorry for these questions .
apart from that am happy to know that bike is good.

Sunny - Congrats; looking forward for an ownership thread

The exhaust note on the 200 Duke is slightly "tinny".. and that's why the "Very Slight" Deja Vu that I mentioned.

Oh!!! ok

not stall,the rev limiter comes to action is what he said. .

On most days, I also spend quite a few hours in office, but yesterday went for the CBR TD

Since CBR has been covered so well and this is the KTM thread, I will try to focus primarily on the comparison with KTM.

Called up the Honda guys and booked a TD. Went there and they gave me a super short one in a crowded lane. Asked for a longer one and was refused. Called the manager and did some song and dance and I was allowed a longer drive on the condition that I will keep the bike below 70-80 - WTF!!

Anyways here is how I am evaluating the two bikes.

Torque: CBR is way ahead. No questions about it. You dont need to worry if you are in the right gear or not, the bike will pull. CBR is the torque king in the sub-350cc segment with the bullet being surely more torquey. Anytime that you want to increase your speed you just do it. It is also comfortable lugging around in slow speeds, something which is difficult on Duke which wants to be revved.

Pick-up/acceleration: Duke feels ahead. As long as you are playing the gears correctly, the KTM seems to surge faster. CBR might be as fast but the forgiving engine doesnt shout at you to point out where the powerband is. Please note that this was a pretty short TD so things might improve with familiarity.

Overall, KTM's engine has a sweet spot that is sweeter than that of the CBR. Outside the g-spot, CBR is more forgiving and useful.

Fun factor: KTM all the way. I can take it offroad, climb walls with it and when I want to, lift it and carry it overhead. Okay I am exaggerating, but not too much CBR with its weight and fairing needs to be used more carefully. That being said, the CBR does hide its weight very well. Had I not seen the spec sheet I would not have guessed that its almost as heavy as a bullet. The Duke is more flick-able also because I thought the CBR had very limited steering movement from lock to lock.

Composure at high speeds: I did not cross 90, so I am making assumptions here. CBR felt more composed. The engine felt more relaxed and the fairing goes a good way in protecting you from the wind. The KTM's frame was super stable at 130+ but there were some vibrations in the engine. If you really want to feel wind in your hair - even the hair in the region above your thighs, KTM is the bike. For touring CBR should be more comfortable.

Braking: ABS gives CBR a huge edge in my book. Even if it saves my life once, I would consider the money well spent KTM may trounce the non-abs CBR as the CBR front tends to dive under heavy braking.

Ergonomics: Both have the same effective seat height. I am a short guy so I know. The moment you sit on the KTM, the seat goes down and gives you reach which is similar to CBR. YMMV based on how heavy you are.

Sitting position on the CBR is too sporty for me where as the Duke gave me all the room to sit upright or however I wanted to. On the CBR, I had to bend forward to reach the handlebars. Those with long limbs may consider the CBR position as upright. Biggest point against the CBR for me.

Legs felt a little less cramped on the CBR compared to Duke. But both are fine.

The front seats are equally comfortable. CBR has a better pillion seat.

Instrumentation: KTM wins. When I am looking at the road in front of me I can still see the tachometer on the CBR but for the speed on the digital display I need to move my head. KTM also displays more stuff.

Quality and reliability: KTM seemed a notch higher in build quality. I would consider the CBR as the more reliable of the two just because it is a known entity. We will only know about the Duke's real world reliability in 3 to 6 months from now.

Showroom experience: KTM is a premium showroom where as Honda sells scooters and smaller bikes. KTM felt way better. The TD guy for the Duke was so happy with my awesome riding skills and control over the bike that he was egging me on to go faster and crazier. The CBR guy did not want me to touch "his" precious bike. YMMV based on the showrooms you choose.

I am going for the CBR though I would have preferred a longer TD before taking the decision. The better torque for city riding and comfort for touring makes it the more practical of the two. The Duke would have been more fun but I need a bike for actual daily use.

P.S. Mods, please feel free to move this if it is in the wrong thread. I think it is fine here

^^ ditto, i too have similar feeling.

i have asked this question once ...but didnt grab any attention...or any replies so i am posting again..

how much will the tyre width actually affect the mileage.??
120mm pulsar 200NS is claimed to have 58kmpl...
they how much will the 150mm ktm 200 get.???
leave alone the gimick of tri spark...:P

First thing: The Pulsar 200NS has got a 130 mm wide rear tyre not a 120 mm.

Second: There are also other factors as what is the profile of the tyre, flat (like FZ16/S) or rounded.. Both the KTM 200 Duke and P200NS has rounded profile tyres.

Other factors: Weight and Gearing (both factors being independent of each other)

Lastly: Realx, let the initial owners report the mileage that they get.

^^^

In addition to the above, the 58kmpl figure is claimed to have been achieved while maintaining a constant speed of 55kmph.
Would mostly be lower (maybe not dramatically) in real-world conditions.