KTM
KTM 250 Duke
A pocket rocket that keeps pointing you toward the 390 or the RTR 310
In short
KTM's smallest Duke pairs a 30.57bhp, 249cc engine with genuine corner ability, priced from ₹2,26,277. It suits riders who want RC-adjacent handling without stepping up to the 390cc bikes, though the Apache RTR 310 nearby offers more power for less money.
- Engine
- 249 cc
- Power
- 30.57 bhp
- Claimed mileage
- 31 kmpl
- Kerb weight
- 162.8 kg
What works
- 30.57bhp from a light 162.8kg kerb weight
- WP APEX USD forks usually reserved for pricier bikes
- Supermoto ABS for confident wet-weather braking
- Full LED lighting and a colour TFT dash
What doesn't
- No traction control, unlike the pricier 390 Duke
- Dominar 400 and Apache RTR 310 offer more power per rupee
- 31kmpl claimed mileage trails 250cc rivals like the RC 200
Best for: First big bike, City and weekend rides, Riders wanting KTM handling on a budget
Price and variants
Ex-showroom Delhi. On-road estimate for Delhi; other cities on the price page.
The 250 Duke comes in a single variant at ₹2,26,277 ex-showroom Delhi, so there is no trim ladder to climb: every 250 Duke leaves the showroom with the same equipment.
That makes it priced 57th lowest among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed. Its closest price rivals are the Apache RTR 310 (₹994 less) and the Scram 440 (₹1,904 less).
On the road in Delhi, budget about ₹2.57 Lakh for the base variant once 8% Delhi road tax, registration and five-year third-party insurance are added. Dealers often quote higher by bundling accessories, extended warranty and handling charges; all three are negotiable.
| Variant | Ex-showroom | Rough EMI |
|---|---|---|
Standard | ₹2,26,277 |
Mileage
250 Duke's claimed mileage is 31 kmpl, and unusually, owners and our own riding land right on it: expect 29–32 kmpl in everyday use. Few bikes get this close to their brochure figure.
Among the 67 sports bikes we have reviewed it ranks 54th for mileage, 11 kmpl below the group average of 42 kmpl.
Engine and ride
The 249cc liquid-cooled engine makes 30.57 bhp and 25 Nm through a 6 Speed. With a kerb weight of 162.8 kg that is 188 bhp per tonne, 20th best power-to-weight of the 73 bikes in this class we have reviewed.
Peak power is high relative to torque, so this engine rewards revs: it feels ordinary below the mid-range and comes alive above it.
Chassis hardware includes USD front forks, a rear monoshock, dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, with a disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper up front and disc, 240 mm, 2 piston caliper at the rear.
At 800 mm the seat is average for the class; most riders from 5'5" up will be comfortable at stops.
Our review
Riding impressions and the buying advice a spec sheet cannot give.
Verdict
The 250 Duke remains KTM's answer to riders who want a proper naked motorcycle without stepping into 390cc territory. At ₹2,26,277 it undercuts the 390 Duke by a wide margin while keeping the same aggressive stance, WP APEX suspension, and colour TFT dash, though it gives up the traction control that its bigger sibling carries.
Riding it every day
The 249cc single makes 30.57bhp, enough to keep pace with city traffic and hold its own on the odd highway stretch, and at 162.8kg it threads through Indian traffic without feeling like work. The firm suspension that makes it fun through corners transmits more of the road on broken city stretches and speed breakers than a touring-focused bike would, so expect a slightly busier ride over rough patches. The 800mm seat height keeps it approachable for shorter riders, a point KTM's own adventure line struggles with.
What to know before buying
Claimed mileage of 31kmpl is respectable rather than class-leading, and rivals like the RC 200 typically return better real-world numbers with similar running gear. The absence of traction control is worth noting if you ride in the monsoon often, since the 390 Duke and RC 390 both get it at a premium. KTM's service network in tier-2 and tier-3 towns has expanded but is still thinner than Bajaj or TVS coverage, worth checking before committing.
Who should buy it
Riders picking a first proper motorcycle after a commuter, or existing KTM owners wanting the brand's handling at a lower entry point, will find the 250 Duke does most of what the 390 Duke does for meaningfully less money.
Features and colours
- Dual-channel ABS
- Front disc brake
- Rear disc brake
- Tubeless tyres
- Alloy wheels
- Side-stand engine cut-off
- Hazard lamps
- USD front forks
- Rear monoshock
- Slipper clutch
- +10 more
On safety kit the 250 Duke has dual-channel abs, front disc brake, rear disc brake, tubeless tyres, side-stand engine cut-off and hazard lamps. Dual-channel ABS is the one item on this list worth paying for if it is variant-dependent.
Against Apache RTR 310, R2 or 200 Duke, it gets hazard lamps and turn-by-turn navigation that most rivals skip.
What it lacks: traction control and projector headlamp, which rivals at this price offer. The safety items in that list matter more than the console.
It is offered in 3 colours: Metallic Silver, Slate Grey and Ebony Black. Colour availability varies by variant and dealer stock.
Warranty, service and ownership
Standard warranty is 2 years or 30,000 km. After the free services, the recommended interval is every 7,500 km.
KTM runs a limited sales and service network in India, at roughly 500 touchpoints. Check the nearest workshop before buying if you live outside a metro; a 40 km ride for every service adds up.
The 250 Duke launched in 2023, so long-term reliability and resale data are still thin. That is not a mark against it, just a reason to prefer the standard warranty and keep service records.
250 Duke: questions people ask
- What is the price of the KTM 250 Duke?
- The 250 Duke is priced at ₹2,26,277 ex-showroom Delhi in its single variant, as of September 2026. On-road price adds road tax, registration and insurance.
- What is the on-road price of the 250 Duke in Delhi?
- Roughly ₹2.57 Lakh for the base variant in Delhi: ₹2,26,277 ex-showroom plus ₹18,102 road tax, ₹1,100 registration and about ₹11,435 insurance. This is an estimate; dealer quotes include handling and accessories.
- What is the mileage of the 250 Duke?
- Claimed mileage is 31 kmpl. Owners typically see 29–32 kmpl in mixed city and highway riding.
- How much does the 250 Duke cost to run per month?
- Fuel works out to about ₹3.11 per km in Delhi, so a 30 km daily commute costs roughly ₹2,424 a month before servicing.
- What is the EMI for the 250 Duke?
- With 10% down, a 36-month loan at 9.5% on the base variant comes to about ₹7,180 a month. A shorter tenure raises the EMI but cuts total interest; see the EMI calculator on the price page.
- What is the engine capacity and power of the 250 Duke?
- It uses a 249cc engine producing 30.57 bhp and 25 Nm, with a 6 speed.
- Is the 250 Duke suitable for short riders?
- Mostly. Seat height is 800 mm, which suits riders from about 5'5". Shorter riders should sit on one at the showroom.
- 250 Duke or Apache RTR 310: which is better?
- The Apache RTR 310 is ₹994 less expensive to start and less efficient at 30 kmpl against 31 kmpl. Pick the 250 Duke for first big bike, the Apache RTR 310 for naked sports enthusiasts. Our side-by-side comparison covers every spec.
- Which bikes are cheaper than the 250 Duke?
- Among the 75 sports bikes we have reviewed, the Pulsar 125 (₹93,507), the MT-15 V2 (₹1.68 Lakh), the Pulsar NS 200 (₹1.39 Lakh) start lower.
- Is the 250 Duke comfortable for daily commuting in traffic?
- The upright naked stance and light 162.8kg kerb weight make it manageable in stop-go traffic, though the firm suspension favours corners over long, pothole-heavy commutes. Expect some seat and wrist fatigue past an hour.
- Can the 250 Duke handle a pillion on the highway?
- It carries a pillion without trouble at city speeds, but the compact frame and sporty ergonomics were tuned around a solo rider, so expect noticeably reduced comfort for both riders on longer highway stretches.
250 Duke vs its rivals
Around ₹2.26 Lakh
Other bikes and scooters within 20% of the 250 Duke's starting price.
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Before you buy
250 Duke from
₹2.26 Lakh