KTM 250 Duke vs Kawasaki KLX230
Prices ex-showroom Delhi, checked 2026-09. On-road and running costs estimated for Delhi.
KTM 250 Duke and Kawasaki KLX230 are both sports bikes and turn up together on most shortlists. They are priced within ₹7,277 of each other, so this comes down to what each does with the money.
On our category count it is a draw at 3 each, which usually means the two are aimed at different riders rather than one being better.
Category by category
Price
KLX230
The KLX230 starts ₹7,277 lower (₹2,19,000 against ₹2,26,277), about ₹230 a month less on a standard loan.
Running cost
KLX230
KLX230 claims 36 kmpl against 31 kmpl. That is roughly ₹3,741 a year in fuel at 30 km a day.
Performance
250 Duke
250 Duke has the better power-to-weight ratio: 188 against 132 bhp per tonne. It will feel quicker with a pillion and on overtakes.
Safety kit
250 Duke
250 Duke adds dual-channel abs and tubeless tyres that the KLX230 does not have on any variant.
Features
250 Duke
250 Duke gets alloy wheels, usd front forks, rear monoshock and slipper clutch and 3 more items.
City manners
KLX230
KLX230 is 23.80000000000001 kg lighter and taller in the seat (880 mm), which you feel in traffic and when parking.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the 250 Duke if
- you ride two-up or on highways and want the stronger engine
- dual-channel ABS is non-negotiable for you
- you live where KTM's bigger service network matters
- your priority is first big bike
Buy the KLX230 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 spirited riding
What each really costs
Base variants, Delhi, 30 km a day. Servicing and insurance are class-typical estimates.
| Cost | 250 Duke | KLX230 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom | ₹2,26,277 | ₹2,19,000 |
| On-road, Delhi | ₹2,58,132 | ₹2,50,537 |
| Fuel, 5 years | ₹1,45,465 | ₹1,26,760 |
| Servicing, 5 years | ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 |
| Insurance renewals | ₹12,392 | ₹12,024 |
| Five-year total | ₹4,45,989 | ₹4,19,321 |
Full specification comparison
Better figure in each row is shown in green.
| Spec | KTM250 Duke | KawasakiKLX230 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ||
| Starting ex-showroom | ₹2,26,277 | ₹2,19,000 |
| Rough EMI / month | ₹7,180 | ₹6,950 |
| Engine | ||
| Engine | 249.1 cc | 233 cc |
| Engine type | 1 Cylinder, Liquid Cooled, 4 Valves | 1 Cylinder, Air Cooled, 2 Valves |
| Power | 30.6 bhp | 18.4 bhp |
| Torque | 25 Nm | 19 Nm |
| Claimed mileage | 31 kmpl | 36 kmpl |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled | Air-cooled |
| Transmission | 6 Speed | 6 Speed |
| Electric | ||
| Top speed | 148 km/h | — |
| Dimensions | ||
| Kerb weight | 162.8 kg | 139 kg |
| Fuel tank | 15 L | 7.5 L |
| Seat height | 800 mm | 880 mm |
| Ground clearance | 176 mm | 255 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1370 mm | 1370 mm |
| Length | — | 2110 mm |
| Width | — | 830 mm |
| Height | — | 1160 mm |
| Brakes & suspension | ||
| Front brake | Disc, 320 mm, 4 piston caliper | Disc, 290 mm, 2 piston caliper |
| Rear brake | Disc, 240 mm, 2 piston caliper | Disc, 230 mm, 1 piston caliper |
| ABS / CBS | Supermoto ABS | Single Channel ABS |
| Front suspension | WP APEX USD forks, 43mm diameter | Telescopic fork |
| Rear suspension | WP APEX Monoshock, 10-step preload adjustable | Ø 37 mmm Uni-Trak |
| Tyres | ||
| Front tyre | 110/70-R17 | 2.75-2145P |
| Rear tyre | 150/60-R17 | 4.10-1859P |
250 Duke vs KLX230: questions people ask
- Which is cheaper, the 250 Duke or the KLX230?
- The KLX230 is cheaper by ₹7,277 at the base variant (₹2,19,000 against ₹2,26,277 ex-showroom Delhi).
- Which gives better mileage, the 250 Duke or the KLX230?
- The KLX230 claims 36 kmpl against 31 kmpl. Real-world figures for both will be lower.
- What is the on-road price difference between the 250 Duke and KLX230 in Delhi?
- About ₹7,595: roughly ₹2,58,132 for the 250 Duke and ₹2,50,537 for the KLX230, 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 ₹4,45,989 for the 250 Duke and ₹4,19,321 for the KLX230, including purchase, fuel, servicing and insurance renewals. The KLX230 comes out ₹26,668 ahead.
