Bikes are a passion for people, especially men of all ages. They love to drive these mean machines, and there are many options available in the market. One of the best companies in India, offering a wide range of bikes at different price points and designs is the Bajaj. The Bajaj KTM bikes are the most popular from the stable and in this article, we are focussing on the two popular bikes KTM Duke 125 BS4 and BS6.
Body, taillights, suspension, exhaust, performance with over 4.5-star ratings the KTM Duke 125 BS4 won hearts of bikers and racers all around. This year the launch of its new variant the Duke 125 BS6 has made everyone excited about the changes KTM’s entry-level model has to offer.
KTM this year launched its entire BS6 portfolio, along with the updated 200 Duke and 390 Duke. Unlike the higher variants, the Duke 125 BS6 gets fewer updates but with a substantial price hike of Rs. 5,541 over the Duke 125 BS4. It now costs Rs 1,38,041* (ex-showroom Delhi price).
Additional Read: KTM Bikes Price in India
Alright, let’s see what it has to offer with that price hike?
A KTM Duke 125 BS4 vs BS is incomplete without comparing the engine performance. The 125 Duke BS6 gets a cleaner BS6-compliant motor plus now it’s exhaust routing too has changed. It has been routed from under the motor than around it. In terms of power and output, KTM has made no significant changes and hence the power and output are similar to the old 125 BS4. The new motor delivers 14.5PS at 9250rpm and 12Nm at 8000rpm. Again, there are no changes in their weight. The new BS6is expected to offer similar performance as BS4.
The new KTM 125 Duke BS6 gets very few updates in terms of cosmetic looks. The updates are in the form of a completely black engine cowl and a blacked-out underbelly exhaust. At a fleeting glance, you would be hard-pressed to differentiate the BS6 125 Duke from its BS4 predecessor.
No hope for underpinnings but ground clearance does the all-new!
Both bikes remain unchanged in terms of underpinnings as well. They have the same dimensions and use the same trellis frame with WP upside-down forks and WP mono-shock setup. If you talk of the braking system, you’ll be sad to hear that it remains the same ByBre 300mm front and 230mm rear disc.
The only significant change is ground clearance. The KTM 125 Duke BS6 now has a 20mm lower ground clearance thanks to its exhaust routing.
The new KTM 126 Duke BS6 is available from April 1. It is reported that April 1st is the deadline for BS6 vehicles, post which you will not be able to buy the BS4 KTM 125 Duke. You might need to hurry though as the BS4 version will be available in limited stocks. Reach out to a Bajaj dealer to know which of the bikes are available for sale.
Additional Read: Best Sports Bikes Under 1 Lakh
As you can see for yourself, the two bikes are both excellent, and you have to make a choice depending on your interests and income. If you’re a die-hard KTM fan, then the price should not stop you from buying the all-new KTM Duke 125 BS6. But if you could overlook the minor changes in terms of engine, exhaust pipe and ground clearance we would suggest that you go for KTM Duke 125 BS4. While both the bikes are great options, you should not let the constraints of money stop you from owning your favourite one of the KTM bikes.
