Reviews of KTM 250 Duke

My Duke 250 Journey
I bought my Duke 250 in late September this year through OLX from an owner who had purchased it in February. It had just around 3,000 kilometers on the odometer, so it was barely used. The previous owner’s reason for selling it remains a mystery (maybe the fuel efficiency?), but after a thorough check to confirm it hadn’t been in any accidents, I was able to get it for a solid price of 2 lakhs.
First Impressions and Performance
I upgraded from the Yamaha R15 V3, which held its ground well, so initially, I didn’t feel a huge surge in power at low RPMs (around 2k-4k) where both Duke siblings tend to be softer. But once I had the chance to rev past 5k RPM, the Duke 250 revealed its real character. It almost transforms, and suddenly, the speedometer’s climbing faster than I’d expect! This reminds me of the R15’s VVA effect around 7k RPM, where it starts to feel like a bigger-engine bike.
Design and Road Presence
As Shami from MotorInc mentioned, KTM’s design is divisive; some love it, and others don’t. I personally like the White color, but if I’d had the option, I’d have gone for the Blue. The Duke’s design definitely grabs attention on the streets, but in a more subtle way these days. The Blue and Black versions are stylish, shedding that chaprhi image to exude a refined sporty vibe.
Ergonomics, Ride Comfort, and Handling
As another Duke rider on Reddit said, KTM may be known for speed, but handling is where it truly excels. Coming from the R15, I had high expectations, and the Duke hasn’t just met them—it’s exceeded them! The bike feels nimble and maneuverable, making it perfect for weaving through traffic. Despite its muscular build, the Duke feels surprisingly light, like an extension of yourself on the road.
Comfort-wise, the seat could definitely be better. After an hour of riding, it starts to feel like a workout for my backside. A reupholstered aftermarket seat might be a good option for those longer rides. The ride is stiff, which enhances control, but that also means it isn’t the cushiest experience.
As for the tires, they’re adequate but didn’t quite inspire the same confidence as the R15’s, especially around tight corners or during sudden braking.
Engine, Braking, and Mileage
The engine feels almost Japanese in its smooth, linear power delivery, despite being European. Coming from Yamaha, I felt right at home with its refinement. It’s impressive how vibration-free the Duke remains, even with a larger 250cc engine compared to the R15.
One thing to note: the Duke 250 doesn’t like to be kept at low RPMs, almost like an impatient partner when you’re preoccupied. It’s happiest over 5k RPM, where it really comes alive. I recently took it on a 100-kilometer ride along open roads, and that’s when it felt like the king of the highway!
For mileage, it hovers around 28-30 km/l. It’s better than previous Duke generations, but you’ll still find yourself at the pump more often. However, I’ve accepted that fueling up often is part of the experience if I want to enjoy this sporty machine to its fullest!
Final Thoughts
After just a month of ownership, one big takeaway is the cost of ownership beyond the showroom price. Between fuel, maintenance, and some cosmetic upgrades (about 10k worth), the expenses add up. I’m glad I went for it, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind for anyone eyeing a Duke 250 or similar.
Above all, the Duke 250 deserves respect on the road. With the right gear and a responsible mindset, this machine rewards you with an incredible riding experience. Let’s ride it as the refined piece of engineering it is and give it the respect it commands!
If you’ve read this far, thank you for sharing in my journey with the Duke 250.

About the Reviewer

The buying experience was awesome with a cake. Riding experience is up to the mark.
Because of looks everybody turns their heads. Performance is like a beast.
Wait for my first service
Pros are :- 1st,it goes like a rocket 2nd, killer looks,
Feels like a 500cc bike. Suspensions are awesome and you get c type charging port as well. Seat height is fine for some one who is 5.6. Feel the buttons with illumination.
Cons:- Using navigation is quiet difficult, in traffic you will feel the heat for sure.

About the Reviewer

The best of all. This beast is made for one who loves the adrenaline that's all I can say, with reliability, handling, and power it has is amazing. Daily commuting on this bike for the past month and the experience it has given me is fabulous. Also, people's reaction to this beast is one way to look at it.

About the Reviewer

This bike is value for money.
The pickup was brilliant.
My experience is very awesome.
I suggest this bike.
The KTM 250 Duke has evolved into its third generation, and it's gotten all mean-looking. And with that, it has also matured as a motorcycle with rider aids that were previously only restricted to the 390 range. Not that the 250 Duke needs them, but it now becomes more approachable and manageable for a rider graduating from the commuter class. It’s laden with features like a bi-directional quick-shifter, dual-channel ABS with a supermoto mode, a 5-inch LCD instrument cluster with a 4-way switch cube, and then some more stuff, which we will get to in due course. While the price has gone up marginally over the Gen 2 model, the bragging rights have certainly gone up by leaps and bounds.
This bike is value for money.
The pickup was brilliant.
My experience is very awesome.
I suggest this bike.

About the Reviewer

The new black colour elevates the Duke to an entirely new level, giving it a striking and sophisticated appearance. The updated LCD colour display enhances functionality and aesthetics, making it more user-friendly and visually appealing. Additionally, its performance stands out as one of the best in the 250cc segment, delivering an exhilarating riding experience.

About the Reviewer

My Duke 250 Journey
I bought my Duke 250 in late September this year through OLX from an owner who had purchased it in February. It had just around 3,000 kilometers on the odometer, so it was barely used. The previous owner’s reason for selling it remains a mystery (maybe the fuel efficiency?), but after a thorough check to confirm it hadn’t been in any accidents, I was able to get it for a solid price of 2 lakhs.
First Impressions and Performance
I upgraded from the Yamaha R15 V3, which held its ground well, so initially, I didn’t feel a huge surge in power at low RPMs (around 2k-4k) where both Duke siblings tend to be softer. But once I had the chance to rev past 5k RPM, the Duke 250 revealed its real character. It almost transforms, and suddenly, the speedometer’s climbing faster than I’d expect! This reminds me of the R15’s VVA effect around 7k RPM, where it starts to feel like a bigger-engine bike.
Design and Road Presence
As Shami from MotorInc mentioned, KTM’s design is divisive; some love it, and others don’t. I personally like the White color, but if I’d had the option, I’d have gone for the Blue. The Duke’s design definitely grabs attention on the streets, but in a more subtle way these days. The Blue and Black versions are stylish, shedding that chaprhi image to exude a refined sporty vibe.
Ergonomics, Ride Comfort, and Handling
As another Duke rider on Reddit said, KTM may be known for speed, but handling is where it truly excels. Coming from the R15, I had high expectations, and the Duke hasn’t just met them—it’s exceeded them! The bike feels nimble and maneuverable, making it perfect for weaving through traffic. Despite its muscular build, the Duke feels surprisingly light, like an extension of yourself on the road.
Comfort-wise, the seat could definitely be better. After an hour of riding, it starts to feel like a workout for my backside. A reupholstered aftermarket seat might be a good option for those longer rides. The ride is stiff, which enhances control, but that also means it isn’t the cushiest experience.
As for the tires, they’re adequate but didn’t quite inspire the same confidence as the R15’s, especially around tight corners or during sudden braking.
Engine, Braking, and Mileage
The engine feels almost Japanese in its smooth, linear power delivery, despite being European. Coming from Yamaha, I felt right at home with its refinement. It’s impressive how vibration-free the Duke remains, even with a larger 250cc engine compared to the R15.
One thing to note: the Duke 250 doesn’t like to be kept at low RPMs, almost like an impatient partner when you’re preoccupied. It’s happiest over 5k RPM, where it really comes alive. I recently took it on a 100-kilometer ride along open roads, and that’s when it felt like the king of the highway!
For mileage, it hovers around 28-30 km/l. It’s better than previous Duke generations, but you’ll still find yourself at the pump more often. However, I’ve accepted that fueling up often is part of the experience if I want to enjoy this sporty machine to its fullest!
Final Thoughts
After just a month of ownership, one big takeaway is the cost of ownership beyond the showroom price. Between fuel, maintenance, and some cosmetic upgrades (about 10k worth), the expenses add up. I’m glad I went for it, but it’s definitely something to keep in mind for anyone eyeing a Duke 250 or similar.
Above all, the Duke 250 deserves respect on the road. With the right gear and a responsible mindset, this machine rewards you with an incredible riding experience. Let’s ride it as the refined piece of engineering it is and give it the respect it commands!
If you’ve read this far, thank you for sharing in my journey with the Duke 250.

About the Reviewer

The buying experience was awesome with a cake. Riding experience is up to the mark.
Because of looks everybody turns their heads. Performance is like a beast.
Wait for my first service
Pros are :- 1st,it goes like a rocket 2nd, killer looks,
Feels like a 500cc bike. Suspensions are awesome and you get c type charging port as well. Seat height is fine for some one who is 5.6. Feel the buttons with illumination.
Cons:- Using navigation is quiet difficult, in traffic you will feel the heat for sure.

About the Reviewer

The best of all. This beast is made for one who loves the adrenaline that's all I can say, with reliability, handling, and power it has is amazing. Daily commuting on this bike for the past month and the experience it has given me is fabulous. Also, people's reaction to this beast is one way to look at it.

About the Reviewer

This bike is value for money.
The pickup was brilliant.
My experience is very awesome.
I suggest this bike.
The KTM 250 Duke has evolved into its third generation, and it's gotten all mean-looking. And with that, it has also matured as a motorcycle with rider aids that were previously only restricted to the 390 range. Not that the 250 Duke needs them, but it now becomes more approachable and manageable for a rider graduating from the commuter class. It’s laden with features like a bi-directional quick-shifter, dual-channel ABS with a supermoto mode, a 5-inch LCD instrument cluster with a 4-way switch cube, and then some more stuff, which we will get to in due course. While the price has gone up marginally over the Gen 2 model, the bragging rights have certainly gone up by leaps and bounds.
This bike is value for money.
The pickup was brilliant.
My experience is very awesome.
I suggest this bike.

About the Reviewer

The new black colour elevates the Duke to an entirely new level, giving it a striking and sophisticated appearance. The updated LCD colour display enhances functionality and aesthetics, making it more user-friendly and visually appealing. Additionally, its performance stands out as one of the best in the 250cc segment, delivering an exhilarating riding experience.

About the Reviewer