Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM has finally unveiled the 2017 KTM 250 Duke on its official website. Like the new 390 Duke, the 250 features new styling along with a redesigned and bolted subframe. Unfortunately, it doesn't get the new split pattern LED headlamp and the TFT screen instrument panel that its elder sibling boasts of. The dimensions have been changed and the engine has also been updated for better performance. The standard safety features like the Bosch 9MB two-channel ABS and the anti-hopping (slipper) clutch are same as the previous generation.
The revised steel trellis frame provides different dimensions to the 2017 KTM 250 Duke and it comes with 15mm more ground clearance and 30mm higher saddle as compared to the current model. An increased steering head angle by 1-degree reduces its wheelbase by 10mm, providing a more nimble handling. The bike also gets a bigger fuel tank that can swallow 2.4-litre more, adding some extra miles to the range. But, the revised styling, bigger tank, new frame, exhaust and other bits also adds a whole 10kg extra to the new model.
The 248.8cc, 4-valve motor is now Euro-4 compliant but the updates has resulted in a power loss of around 1.35PS. The retuned liquid-cooled engine delivers 29.9PS of power using the same electronic fuel injection system. The WP suspension setup remains unchanged, with the 43mm inverted front forks and a rear monoshock. However, the revised geometry results in 8mm lesser suspension travel at the front. The braking system also retains the 300mm front and 230mm rear disc brakes by Bybre.
The 2017 KTM 250 Duke runs on the same split-spoke alloy wheels but now they come painted in black instead of orange. The sticky Metzeler Sportec M5 tyres, 110mm wide front and 150mm rear, are also there to provide excellent grip on the tarmac. The bike is available in some countries like Indonesia and Thailand, where it is expected to be replaced with the updated model by the first quarter of 2017.
Source: Bikedekho.com
