Out of the Royal dilemma and now caught in yet another confusion but this time with a very strong contender the KTM Duke 200.

I have booked my RE DS a month ago and have to wait for more 4 to 5 months. Meanwhile the KTM Duke 200 is launching in January and I am now in pickle as to which bike I should go for. I know that both bikes belong to different league and cannot be compared in principle. I wish I had both of them but then I need at least one for now and I want to know which one should I bet on ?

Comparison of ------------------ RE DS -------------------------------------------- KTM200 ----------
On-Road Price ------------------- 1.56 ------------------------------------------- 1.4 (speculated)
Engine ------------------------------- 500 cc --------------------------------------------- 200 cc
Power ------------------------ 27.2 bhp @ 5250 rpm --------------------- 24.658 bhp @ 10000rpm
Torque ---------------------- 41.3 Nm @ 4000 rpm --------------------------19 Nm @ 8000 rpm
Weight ------------------------------ 187 Kg --------------------------------------------- 136 Kg
FE ------------------------------------- 30 kmpl ------------------------------------ 30 kmpl(speculated)

These are main parameters affecting my choice. The weight, technology and reliability go in favour of duke but the sheer power and torque charge the bull forward in this comparison. The only issue of concern for me is the all pervasive rusting of bull. Has any one found out a effective solution to it ?

Hey Rony, Ive followed some of your threads and posts on this forum and I am pretty impressed! I am a newbie when it comes to bikes, own a Honda CBF Stunner which I am gonna sell in 4-5 days and gonna empty the parking spot for the legend Classic 500 which I booked in July which will be delivered by the 20th of this month. The only thing that differentiates the 2 bikes here is the comfort! If you are planning to go for long rides, especially a biker's dream destination "LADAKH", then I would suggest you look at the torque figures! KTM looks like a very impressive bike but it cannot be compared to the BULL because its a different segment all together. What you are facing now is what I call 'Have a made a correct decision or no' syndrome

Just go for the Classic 500 and you won't regret it even a bit!

Btw this is my 1st post on xBhp!

Oh man, i am on similar boat. Booked RE classic 500 in November, but still i am thinking of other options.

CBR 250
KTM 200 (worried about mileage, could be less than 20? )

Congratulations on Classic 500

hey it's good you booked CL500
i am riding RTR180 for 2.6 years
& have 2stroke Rocket still running like rocket Suzuki Shogun (the boss)
shogun runs great after 14 years (some replacement is always there but before i bought RTR here in mumbai i rode shogun for almost 3 years but i dont see RTR 180 will hold this much.
i like your condition no plastic when i bought RTR Classic 500 wasn't there
but that time i didn't want to go to royal
i wanted Peppy engine under 75k RTR was the option which is better than the pulser 180 (personal Choice) but after riding it for almost 26000 in 2.6 years i feel i should change it to Royal & than to Triumph Bonneville or who know what
thing to about Royal Enfield i think
1. you will attract crowd
2. sound
3. comfort
4. riding pleasure (which you will never get even if you get harley davidson)
5. feel connected to classic heritage of British Biking
6. since now they have riding gear (merchandising) also full circle is finished which you won't find in any company at this price.
7. now it's time to move ahead new UC engines are not like old Royal Enfield which you drop oil at every km or so & In mumbai weather these machines are not ship of British Junk NOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED ( but i do agree on paint quality job & some other few things)
8. plastic bikes are very stupid unless you go with some bigger with more money rest is just cheap production machines.
9. do let us know if you are getting upswing exhaust or normal on (personally i like normal looks like canon)
10. Enjoy your ride & ride safe

TC

just out of curiosity, can u please elaborate on your above opinion?

I ask this because I own a bullet Electra 5S, and I know that it has an old CI engine which is extremely lethargic and under-performing. However, since the chassis remains same in newer bullets as well, I believe the riding experience will not change much except that new bullets are quicker and faster with new UCE engine. Also, I have ridden a Harley 883 (one of the lower capacity Harleys). I personally found that any bullet till date (including Classics) cannot equal any Harley in any department, except that bullets will give better FE per litre of petrol. 883 being heavier is still easier to handle in tight traffic in my experience. I am sure it will not change much with a Classic as well. And I believe that handling is a major part of riding pleasure. And sound? now again, which bullet can match that against a Harley twin?

Hello their,
personally i wanted to say the 1st of all cost of Royal Enfield, FE (as you said), and bull has his own charm (sound, riding, presences) which you cant see in other bikes simple that's what i mean simple (i rode Harley 48 also & Triumph Bonneville)
don't mind Happy riding