For some riders, KTM’s Duke range is just the street-oriented side of the Austrian brand’s lineup. But for others—like me—it’s a lot more personal. Here in the Philippines, the Duke series was my first taste of European motorcycle tech. My first “real” bike was a first-generation 200 Duke, and it cost about the same as a Japanese naked bike in the same class (think the equivalent of around $3,000 USD).
That kind of affordability wasn’t by chance. Back then, Bajaj only held a minority stake in KTM, but because it handled manufacturing of the smaller Dukes in India, riders like me could actually afford one.
Now we’ve got the 160 Duke, which feels like the spiritual successor to the old 125 and 200 Dukes. It’s powered by a 164.2cc liquid-cooled single making 19 horsepower at 9,500 rpm and 11.4 pound-feet of torque at 7,500 rpm. The chassis is KTM’s familiar split trellis frame with a cast swingarm, paired with WP Apex upside-down forks up front and a WP monoshock in the rear. Stopping power comes from a 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc, with dual-channel ABS and an off-road mode. You also get a 5-inch LCD display with smartphone pairing, navigation, and call and music controls. Trick stuff for a bike in this segment.
Specs are great, but the bigger deal here is what the 160 Duke represents. KTM is finally putting small bikes back at the heart of its lineup. They aren’t just “nice to have” anymore—they’re a major focus. That shift comes down to Bajaj, who quite literally saved KTM’s ass from financial collapse earlier this year. The Indian company injected 800 million euros (about $875 million) into the business, took majority control, and seems ready to double down on the bikes that sell the most.
In Asia and parts of Europe, KTM’s small-displacement models are the brand’s real money makers. They drive sales volume, keep riders loyal, and give people an affordable first step toward bigger models. When KTM started pushing them to the back burner, it was one of the dumbest decisions the old management made. Bajaj, on the other hand, seems to understand the reality on the ground.
Sure, KTM still has a several hundred million euros (roughly $800 million, yikes) in debt to pay off, but if Bajaj steers the company in the right direction, the 160 Duke could end up being more than just a solid beginner bike. In markets like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia—where the passion for motorcycles is huge but buying power is limited—it could be an aspirational machine.
From where I’m standing, this isn’t just a new Duke. It’s a sign that KTM’s smallest bikes might finally get the attention they deserve.
Source: KTM India
