KTM has just unveiled the Duke 125 ABS, so can it take the Yamaha YZF-R’s crown as king of the 125 class? Yes, quite possibly it can.
The Duke is an exceptionally lightweight bike, weighing in at just 127kg without fluids and so the 15hp, 124.7cc engine is more than enough to give it electrifying performance for a bike in this class. Of course it’s no superbike, that’s the point, but it’s more than fast enough and thanks to KTM’s balancer shaft it is smoother than most of its rivals. A three-chamber silencer is positioned close to the centre of gravity, too,
Two overhead camshafts and cam levers ensures that the four-stroke engine is reliable and also offers reduced friction, thanks to the hard carbon coating of the cam levers. This helps unleash those extra ponies. A six-speed close-ratio transmission also helps keep the bike in the powerband and contributes to improved fuel economy, which helps the bike achieve a range of more than 185 miles even when it’s driven on the ragged edge.
As for the ABS in the title, KTM was the first manufacturer to offer anti-lock braking as standard on a 125 in 2013 and it’s a feature the Austrian marque is proud of. Normally reserved for larger capacity bikes, anti-lock braking can often save younger riders and, as a cost option, it’s something they may be tempted to leave out to save money. KTM’s commitment to safety on this naked bike could swing the balance for many concerned parents who are buying their child their first motorcycle and could propel the Duke to the top of the charts on its own. Of course it can be switched off, but for young riders the extra safety catch on the 300mm front disc can be literally a lifesaver.
This lightweight tubular space frame that was especially designed to maximise the manoeuvrability and precision, helps to create a pin-sharp handling bike that has won praise from the motoring press for its neutrality on the limit. This again means that it is predictable, safer than some of the more wayward bikes in its class and likely to find favour with the keen riders, as well as the parents that can end up paying for it. A predictable bike is a safe bike, which is important for young or novice riders that have yet to master wet weather or simply tricky conditions.
Of course the younger rider is concerned with style, too, and KTM’s naked bike is a real looker. It’s aggressive and looks way more potent than the 125cc engine it contains, which makes a real difference to the buyers in this class.
With all this technology, style and the KTM name come for just £3,999 too. That’s a relative bargain, and should ensure that the 2015 Duke sells like hot cakes to the next generation of riders that aren’t quite ready for the big capacity superbikes just yet. It is a star in the making, and potentially the next king of the 125 class.