Query approved.

Solely depends on your decision once you test ride both bikes, would advice to go for upcoming NINJA 250R which should be here in 1-2 months time.

Tell us about your past vehicles (2-wheeler) owned, type of fun you are looking to extract from either of the bike. Then people should be able to help you accordingly.

Apart from the price point both the bikes are TOTALLY DIFFERENT in terms of ride feel and the definition of fun.

Ninja 250: The Ninja 250R is near perfect, almost flawless in everything that it does. Power delivery, handling, braking everything comes so easy on the Ninja 250R and that too with clinical perfection. The Ninja is the fastest bike in India (discounting the 800 + cc imports), but you won't feel it till you glance at the speedometer. In fact the Ninja 250R can be ctiticized to be too perfect and being the most rider/noob/beginner friendly 250 cc in the whole world.

200 Duke: It will make you feel like a teenager once again (if you used to be a teenager long back i.e). Restless, urgent, loud, fast, in your face (even if you are not riding "that fast") describes the 200 Duke. Which goes perfectly with the off road genes of this baby KTM.


The Ninja 250 has a mature/grown up, seen that and did that "long back" attitude and feel. The Ninja 250 is a near perfect machine. It's perfectness sometimes can even appear "characterless/boring" to some. The KTM 200 Duke has that young, teen, restless appeal. Its flaws/shortcomings adding to its maniac character (which at the same time some might not appeal to everybody).

Both bikes will therefore appeal to different kind of bikers (apart from appealing to different sized wallets/bank balances).

Apart from Price Point -->

High Speed Highway Fun= Ninja 250

Streetfighter with-in city= KTM Duke200



funky college cuties = KTM

Hot club/disc going babes = Ninja

if that counts..

I am not too much sure that ninja 2013 model will be launched in india in 2012..

It might hit the indian shores by mid of 2013.

Very rightly said Payeng...


@crazyforwheels: If you are looking for ultimate fun between ninja /ktm 200, it is on similiar ground as having fun with scarlett johansson/ megan fox. . Pick either of them.

On a serious note, as of now you can go with KTM and when 2013 ninja arrives , go for a switch.

Sorry but i don' think any Ninja prospect owner will think on any other option rather than Ninja only!!
Ninja is a passion/Dream and comparing with a Duke is absolutely wrong! Duke is a city bike!
Before buying a Ninja think can you spend 26k for rear alloy wheel.14-15k for fairing ??
No offence friend,but if you really wanted a Ninja then you would have booked it and posted booking info!!
Actually from your post it's straight that you want to save money!! instead of buying a 3.45L 2 wheeler, which is logical also. if only Duke and Ninja is in your mind then Duke, else CBR250 ABS for 2L+(I am shocked, you din't even considered this!!)

Duke it is!! Bajaj with affordable spare parts and wide spread Service center!! But Ninja is something that you need heart+mind+money towards Ninja!!!

You need to chill out, buddy Comparing Ninja & Duke is not a crime. The fact that TS didn't even consider CBR250 should tell you the point that he is looking for something fun. Don't think that everyone is asking questions with the sole intent of saving money!

@TS, I think senior members already responded comprehensively. If you want a fun bike for city/short highway rides Duke it is! if it's not for city riding, then undoubtedly Ninja. Besides, I don't think 2013 Ninja is coming to India anytime soon, so for the time being go for Duke and when Ninja is here, you can switch or choose between bigger Duke & Ninja

Ninja has no comparison in the 250cc and below segment. But it is expensive to buy as well as maintain. If you think you can maintain a Ninja, go for it - no second thoughts. Or else you have chosen a bike for you (Duke). Best of luck whatever you get.

A very well constucted description. I agree with you.

+100
Same thoughts mine too!!
But saving money is not a crime dude, if he thinks on that perspective also then it's ok.
Nothing like that dude!! Don't know why i sensed that TS is more inclined towards Duke then Ninja.
My point was that, TS should nott make a wrong decision, because everyone knows that Ninja is not less then a small hatchback to maintain. It's maintenance and everything are very expensive and one should go with this facts before buying it

@TS:
Please go through the Ninja ownership thread first, then you will get a fair idea about Ninja. And then go with Duke thread.

Duke is good in city and handling too, Ninja is speed and excellency!! Ninja is surely not for daily commuting INMO!!

I was in a very similar dilemma as you were.Duke vs NInja vs CBR .In all practical aspects considering the roads and conditions in India etc the DUKE/CBR seems to be the perfect choice.Both are awesome bike in their own right.

The Duke especially is a lot of fun to ride in traffic.Your normal commute to your office/college might become a fun and entertaining.Its lighter on your pocket.I wouldnt say more fuel efficient as it depends on your riding style.

Well Ninja needs no mention.There are lots of reviews, its a legend with a history behind it.Well considering it with an Indian perspective It suddenly becomes unclear and difficult to justify the premium.Most would rather buy a Tata Nano than a Ninja for that Money.
Well my opinion is this.
*The Ninja in India is a fuel injected one,and what we are getting is the Europe spec bike which is priced on par with the European markets,Most would compare it to the carb ones available in US and say its overpriced.Its not.
*I just love the peaky power delivery.

So my conflict was dreams and desire vs cost effiency ,VFM and practicality
Finally,

I just bought my Ninja two weeks back.I have clocked around 1300kms on it.

Trust me its something very very different compared to all the others out there.
I ride 70% in traffic.I never got bored once in traffic.The apparent lack of low end torque does bother you a little bit untill you get used to it.Ninja revvs pretty fast,so it more than makes up for it.
Its just addictive past 6k rpm.
Well I heard a lot that owning a Ninja was expensive.I am not pretty sure about that

The fuel efficency-I got around 33kmpl during my run-in and now am getting around 29kmpl with a mix of Highway blasts and sedate city riding.So it really does depend on your riding style.Just for comparison my Fz used to give around 29 kmpl when I use to rip and around 34kmpl in city when ridden reasonably so I am pretty satisfied with the fuel expenses.

And I got my first service done recently,the bill came up to around 2k.I am not sure maybe the Duke too costs the same.The good part is the service interval is every 6k kilometers.

Well as for the downside,As the bike itself is Near perfect,The problem lies with the conditions in our country.Parking is really a problem.The green especially is an attention magnet.I already have a scratch on the front fairing while I had parked it just for about an hour near a Coffee day outlet.I have now acquired a phobia of parking in public these days.
In traffic you do feel the bike a little sluggish while maneuvering through stop and go traffic.

And this is where I feel the Duke scores.I felt it was as maneuverable and nimble as my friends Kawasaki Boxer
It can be parked in tight spaces.I does not attract much attention.So you get a easy to use everyday bike with arrow sharp performance.

And Now that the New 2013 Ninja 250r is announced for the Indonesian maket,people are saying why not wait for that.
Well so is the Duke 350 in 2013,There are also rumors of a Aprillia detuned 250cc version of the RSV4,there are rumors about a Yamaha 250cc bike.
So if you want to wait,you have to keep waiting as new models keep getting launched.

Well like me if you cant go without thinking about the Ninja for a couple of hours,Then I guess there is nothing else out there than can satisfy.!

KTM is not an alternative to Ninja. It's a very different bike. List down what your requirements are, what do you like, what are you expecting from a bike? Are you going to ride much on highways or inside the city? Daily commute or weekend riding and in how much traffic? First make up your mind without having a bike in mind and then come and read the 4 posts above this one, everything has been mentioned. you will have an easy choice to make.

@TS, looks like you can wait if you are inclined towards Ninja 250R. At 650R's launch, Rajiv Bajaj seems to have mentioned that 250R is coming soon!

Kawasaki Launches 2012 Ninja 650R In India | MotorBeam - Indian Car Bike News & Reviews

But, beware when bajaj says soon it will be minimum of 3-6 months!

Response In red Font

Quite a good opinion will really help us all to suggest !



Well said damm true!

I have been riding a Duke 200 since past one week!
the bike is lovely to ride, good to handle,power to weight ratio is awesome you instantly feel the rush with a twist of a wrist! Excellent in traffic and also open roads.
only draw back is the riding position for me which is a pain at times, not a pot hole friendly bike.
In regards to fuel economy it highly varies on riding style! in short a TOTAL VALUE FOR MONEY!! A total thrill bike.

Where as in regards to the Ninja opinions may vary from person to person you need to shortlist your requirement if you are looking for a touring weekend ride and willing to spend more I am sure Ninja suits you ,however if within a budget of 1.5 Lakhs you wanna treat yourself a good ride Duke all the way!!