KTM 160 Duke vs Bajaj Dominar 250
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
KTM 160 Duke and Bajaj Dominar 250 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. They are priced within ₹3,240 of each other, so this comes down to what each does with the money.
The Dominar 250 takes 4 of the 7 categories we score, so this is close and comes down to what you weight. Our overall ratings are 6.5/10 for the 160 Duke and 6.5/10 for the Dominar 250.
Category by category
Price
160 Duke
The 160 Duke starts ₹3,240 lower (₹1,83,585 against ₹1,86,825), about ₹100 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
160 Duke
160 Duke claims 36.5 kmpl against 35 kmpl. That is roughly ₹3,521 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
Dominar 250
Dominar 250 has the better power-to-weight ratio: 148 against 127 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
Dominar 250
Dominar 250 adds traction control that the 160 Duke does not have on any variant.
Features
Dominar 250
Dominar 250 gets ride modes and usb charging port.
City manners
160 Duke
160 Duke is 33 kg lighter and taller in the seat (815 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Warranty
Dominar 250
Dominar 250 comes with 5 years of standard warranty against 2 on the 160 Duke.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the 160 Duke if
- you want the lower purchase price and EMI
- mileage matters more to you than outright performance
- you are a new rider or shorter and want the lighter bike
- your priority is first bike for new riders
Buy the Dominar 250 if
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- a longer standard warranty gives you peace of mind
- you live where Bajaj's bigger service network matters
- your priority is long highway trips
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | 160 Duke | Dominar 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹1,83,585 | ₹1,86,825 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹2,10,000 | ₹2,13,600 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹1,23,240 | ₹1,40,845 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹10,080 | ₹10,252 |
| Five-year total | ₹3,73,320 | ₹3,94,697 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KTM160 Duke | BajajDominar 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹1,83,585 | ₹1,86,825 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹5,820 | ₹5,920 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 164.2 cc | 248.8 cc |
| Engine type | 1 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled | 1 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves |
| Power | 18.7 bhp | 26.6 bhp |
| Torque | 15.5 Nm | 23.5 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 36.5 kmpl | 35 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | — | 132 km/h |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 147 kg | 180 kg |
| Fuel tank | 10.1 L | 13 L |
| Seat height | 815 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground clearance | 174 mm | 157 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1357 mm | 1453 mm |
| Length | — | 2156 mm |
| Width | — | 836 mm |
| Height | — | 1112 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 320 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 300 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 230 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 230 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | USD Front Fork | Telescopic, 37mm USD Fork, 135mm travel |
| Rear suspension | Monoshock Suspension | Multi-step adjustable Mono shock with Nitrox, Wheel stroke of 110mm |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-17 | 100/80-17 |
| Rear tyre | 140/60-R17 | 130/70-17 |
160 Duke vs Dominar 250: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the 160 Duke or the Dominar 250?
- The 160 Duke is cheaper by ₹3,240 at the base variant (₹1,83,585 against ₹1,86,825 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the 160 Duke or the Dominar 250?
- The 160 Duke claims 36.5 kmpl against 35 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the 160 Duke and Dominar 250 in Delhi?
- About ₹3,600: roughly ₹2,10,000 for the 160 Duke and ₹2,13,600 for the Dominar 250, base variants, including road tax, registration and insurance.
- Which costs less to own over five years?
- Our estimate for five years at 30 km a day in Delhi is ₹3,73,320 for the 160 Duke and ₹3,94,697 for the Dominar 250, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The 160 Duke comes out ₹21,377 ahead.
