Benelli TNT 25 vs KTM Duke 200 vs Mahindra Mojo: Comparison Test

Design & Style

Benelli TNT 25: 8/10

KTM Duke 200: 8/10

Mahindra Mojo: 6/10

Starting with the most good looking bike in this test, the Benelli TNT 25 has the best proportions, the most aesthetic shape and the most pleasing plaint scheme. It gets a red frame and an attractive combo of white and black to fill out the rest. The head lamp, the front fender, the fuel tank, the tail piece and even the wheels exude flair one would normally associate with an Italian design. Even though it might be Chinese for all you know.

The KTM Duke 200 is good looking too, a little tiny but attractive nonetheless. In fact, the Benelli and the KTM look quite similar, only the Austrian looks as if it is on the Cabbage Soup Diet plan.

The Mojo on the other hand is a bike of excess. The twin pod head lamp, the tank and even the gold tubing for a chassis come across as two sizes too big. And the design overall is odd; it’s almost the epitome of polarization. As for us – it just doesn’t work.

Ergonomics & Quality

Benelli TNT 25: 7/10

KTM Duke 200: 7/10

Mahindra Mojo: 6.5/10

The Mahindra Mojo could do with improved quality and fit and finish as well. Initially, the quality and the ergo feel spot-on, but spend a little time with the bike and its chinks begin to show. The quality of plastic bits at places isn’t up to the mark; the fit and finish lacks finesse; and the closer one looks, the rougher the edges seem. The ergonomics, with the high-rise bar, the neutrally positioned pegs and the cushy seat, feel instantly comfortable. But, in less than an hour, the back begins to complain which is odd because the Mojo has the most upright, commuter-like seating position.

The Duke 200 and the TNT 25 aren’t the embodiment of seating comfort either and many might find the footpegs on both motorcycles a little extreme (more so on the Duke). But, what the Europeans lose on comfort, they more than make up in terms of control. The racier seating on the Duke and the TNT help the rider connect and control the bike a whole lot better than on the Mojo.

But between the Duke and the TNT, the TNT is the better choice. The Duke is cramped, it has a hard seat, and its pegs are a little too high. The TNT too has a seating triangle designed for control but is still comfortable, roomy and doesn’t need a yoga degree to mount it.

Features & Technology

Benelli TNT 25: 7/10

KTM Duke 200: 8/10

Mahindra Mojo: 7/10

Now here’s where things start to go downhill for the newest kid on the block. The Benelli TNT 25 we got was the lower specced one with MRF tyres and not the Metzellers. Plus, compared to the Mojo and the Duke, the TNT is the only bike here not to have backlit switchgear. And even though it gets a gear indictor, the Benelli’s clocks are the most basic. It does however get an adjustable brake lever missing on the other two.

The Mojo is somewhere in the middle, actually closer to the TNT than the feature- rich KTM. It misses out on the gear indicator and LED turn indicators present on the other two bikes and though it gets this gimmicky lighting for the tachometer, overall the Mojo’s features are more showy than useful. But in terms of tech, it has the best set of tyres.

The KTM is the only bike here to get a light, aluminium swingarm. It also has the most comprehensive set of clocks. It seems to have everything from gear indication to average speed and economy, to stuff I never got around to using. So, if it’s a feature and tech-rich bike you want, the KTM Duke 200 is the one.

Engine & Gearbox

Benelli TNT 25: 6/10

KTM Duke 200: 7/10

Mahindra Mojo: 8/10

The surprise here, and it is a big one, is the Mojo! The Mahindra Mojo – like the other two – uses a liquid cooled, fuel injected, single cylinder engine that’s mated to a 6-speed unit. But, the Mojo has the highest displacement at 295cc, and as a result, it also has the highest torque output in this test. It develops a gutsy 30Nm, which more than compensates for its less than glorious power figure of 26bhp. But that’s not the highlight of the engine; it’s the refinement, the linear and accessible power delivery, and the lack of vibrations that make it both likeable and exploitable. The gearbox works well too; it’s light but crisp and precise at the same time.

If the Mojo’s engine is like Captain America – polite, righteous, and a bit boring –the KTM Duke 200 is like Tony Stark. It is fast paced, entertaining, but isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. You either like the character or you don’t. The Duke’s 25bhp, 19Nm, 200cc single is only fun right at the top but to constantly keep it there can either be tiresome or huge amounts of fun; and that’s completely down to the way a rider is wired. Plus, after the Mojo, the KTM’s engine feels a little rough around the edges then be it the way it sounds or vibrates. Now, if you want the Iron Man experience by the way, you’d have to get the 390; it completely elevates the game.

Back to this comparison and the Benelli’s powertrain is our least favourite. Its 249cc single isn’t short on power; in fact at 28bhp it is the most powerful bike here. It’s the way the TNT 25 goes about making that power, however, that makes it feel completely lackluster, especially in this company. The Benelli doesn’t have the manic, excitable character of the KTM or the grown up, refined, big bike feel of the Mahindra. It just comes across as a crude and vibey and unexciting 250cc motorcycle. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the shift quality of its gearbox isn’t great either.

Performance

Benelli TNT 25: 7/10

KTM Duke 200: 8/10

Mahindra Mojo: 7/10

If the above section wasn’t indication enough, the KTM Duke 200 with it feather light kerb weight, its short gearing, and an engine that chases the redline like a rat running for cover, is the fastest motorcycle here. At least to 60kmph. It gets there in a jiffy. What’s also commendable is the KTM’s roll on performance. It isn’t the fastest but it isn’t slow or lacking. The only area where the KTM gets left behind, literally, is the top speed.

Now we have established that the Mojo has the best, most palatable and most acceptable powertrain in this bunch. And it has a mountain of torque. But, it’s also as heavy as your unmarried, Gulab Jamun devouring aunt. So, it doesn’t exactly shoot off the line. But, that torque helps the Mahindra post some praiseworthy roll on times. It’s a little slow till around 5,000rpm but then it just comes alive and in top gear, it was the first to hit 100kmph in our 40-100kmph run.

The Benelli, well, it doesn’t feel like 28bhp; it doesn’t record a 0-60kmph run like a 28bhp motorcycle should; and it isn’t exactly great at ride-ability either. What keeps it afloat is the fact that the Benelli doesn’t exactly fall off the cliff; it somehow manages to stay in the hunt. Plus, it does have a higher top speed than the KTM, a genuine 140kmph plus.

Ride Quality

Benelli TNT 25: 6/10

KTM Duke 200: 6/10

Mahindra Mojo: 8/10

This one’s easy. The Mahindra Mojo has the best ride quality. Unless one hits a sharp trough at speed, it’s smooth sailing throughout. In fact, the Mojo is one of the best riding motorcycles manufactured in India, barring none. The KTM Duke 200 is the worst riding motorcycle between the three. It is stiff, unruly, uncomfortable and one that your pillion will absolutely hate you for. The Benelli is stiffly setup as well, but it’s more pliant and it works much better for the pillion.

Handling & Braking

Benelli TNT 25: 7/10

KTM Duke 200: 8/10

Mahindra Mojo: 6/10

As is the case with the ride quality, there’s enough difference in the dynamic ability of the three motorcycles to tell them apart. The Benelli TNT 25 continues to be firmly on middle ground. It has acceptable turn in, good feedback from the front end and chassis, and it isn’t averse to quick direction changes. It’s also sure-footed in a straight line, even close to its top speed. And it brakes well too.

The Mojo is the slowest reacting motorcycle here. But, then with all that weight centered towards the front along with raked out front forks, it was always going to be lazy around corners. But, it’s the complete lack of connect from the front end around winding roads that takes the fun out of the equation. It has great tyres, no doubt, and you can lean on them, but there’s always that hint of doubt lingering somewhere in the rider’s subconscious. The braking doesn’t impress much either.

The KTM is a hoot when it comes to dynamics. It’s light, it’s nimble and it’s an absolute riot. It’s almost telepathic around bends – sharp and precise at turn in; communicative and adjustable when leaned over; and forgiving if you get it wrong. Plus, it stops with the least bit of drama. Now, neither bike here gets ABS, but it’s only on the Duke that you don’t miss it.

Fuel efficiency

Benelli TNT 25: 6/10

KTM Duke 200: 5/10

Mahindra Mojo: 5/10

The KTM and the Mahindra return similar figures. Ride them hard and you can expect the fuel efficiency figure to be in the mid-twenties. Ride them normally, and the figure will climb to a little over 30kmpl. But, if it’s a fuel-efficient bike you want in this bunch, the Benelli is the one to go for. Now it might not have as large a fuel tank as the Mojo, but it can still go on for nearly 500km on a tank full. Something our puny little KTM can’t even dream of!

Price & Warranty

Benelli TNT 25: 3/10

KTM Duke 200: 4/10

Mahindra Mojo: 3/10

The KTM Duke 200 at Rs 1.62 lakh on road, in Mumbai, is the cheapest, and by a significant margin. The Mojo comes in next at Rs 1.89 lakh with the TNT being the priciest here at Rs 2.02 lakh, both on road in Mumbai again. As far as warranty goes, the KTM comes with 2 year / 30,000km, the Mahindra with 2 year/ 32,000km and the TNT with 2 year/ 24,000km. As is clear if you want to safeguard your money, not to mention pay less, the Duke 200 is your best bet.

Desirability

Benelli TNT 25: 8/10

KTM Duke 200: 7/10

Mahindra Mojo: 7/10

Now, many of you might not agree with us on this one, but then, it’s a free country. So, in our books, the KTM is the least desirable. But, only just. It doesn’t have the visual presence of either the Mahindra or the Benelli, and it is so common-place now, even my carpenter has one. And he isn’t even interested in motorcycles.

Between the Benelli and the Mahindra, the TNT would easily be the more desirable of the two. It’s styled much better, it is Italian (OK not entirely), and it has the ability to make the rider look good.

Verdict

Mahindra Mojo: Rank 3

Final Score: 63.5/100

Price: Rs 1.89 lakh OTR, Mumbai

The Mojo is a great attempt by Mahindra, no question. And as our points reveal, it betters the other two in a few aspects as well. It’s got a lovely engine and gearbox and a great ride. But, given its price, its weight and its comparative lack of dynamism, it fails to top the charts here.

Benelli TNT 25: Rank 2

Final Score: 65/100

Price: Rs 2.02 lakh OTR, Mumbai

The TNT 25 has a few rough edges; the engine in particular needs a look in. It’s especially disappointing after we have seen how well the TNT 300 turned out. But, look beyond that and it ticks a number of boxes even though it fails to really excel at a lot of things. It’s your typical jack of all trades.

KTM Duke 200: Rank 1

Final Score: 68/100

Price: Rs 1.62 lakh OTR, Mumbai

Our winner, the KTM Duke 200 though, is master at putting a smile on your face. It caters to the need of this class best – it is fast, it is exciting and it is fun. The only thing missing is the ‘showy’ bit. It’s also a little hard core, but then, it’s a trade off we’d recommend looking at the overall owning and riding experience.

Final Scores

Specifications