Yamaha MT-15 vs KTM 125 Duke- What to buy

Yamaha has updated its line-up with the introduction of the MT-15. The bike’s biggest rival comes from KTM’s stables in the form of the 125 Duke. So, how does this street fight go down on paper? We find out and help you decide which one of the two to buy.

Design 

The Yamaha MT-15 and KTM 125 Duke belong to the same category of motorcycles, streetfighters. They are the stripped down versions of their fully-faired counterparts. While the MT-15 has the YZF-R15 V3, the 125 Duke has the RC125 which is sold in some international markets. 

However, in terms of design, the MT-15 and 125 Duke have their own unique appeal. The MT-15 sports an aggressively shaped headlamp that houses two LED strips and an LED-projector. It also gets beefy tank shrouds that flow from the muscular fuel tank and add to the MT-15s raw-streetfighter character.

In comparison, the 125 Duke has a design that debuted with its bigger sibling, the KTM 200 Duke. Not saying that it is less tasteful, it gets sleek bodywork all over accentuated by the exposed tubular trellis frame that completes the streetfighter character.

Features

Yamaha offers the MT-15 with full-LED lighting. The 125 Duke on the other hand gets LED on its turn signals and tail lamp and misses out on the LED treatment for its headlamp. Both motorcycles sport LCD instrument clusters that display speed, odometer, tachometer, fuel gauge, clock and gear position indicator. While the MT-15’s unit has white backlit display, the 125 Duke gets an orange-backlit unit. The Yamaha MT-15 and KTM 125 Duke are offered with a single-channel ABS unit as standard. 

Performance

The KTM 125 Duke is powered by a 124cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC engine that produces 14.3bhp at 9,250rpm and 12Nm of torque at 8000rpm. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox.

The Yamaha MT-15 on the other hand uses a 155cc, single-cylinder engine, SOHC engine with liquid-cooling. And evidently, the motor produces a much higher output of 19bhp at 10,000rpm and 14.7Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. While it does come mated to a six-speed gearbox, it also gets an assist and slipper clutch as standard along with the VVA (variable valve actuation) technology. 

Cycle Parts

The KTM 125 Duke has a bit of an upper hand when it comes to cycle parts. It uses inverted forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear for suspension duties. Braking on the 125 Duke is handled by a 300mm disc upfront and a 230mm rear disc.

Meanwhile, the MT-15 rides on a pair of telescopic forks upfront and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock. And braking is done by a 245mm front disc and 220mm rear disc.

Another difference between the MT-15 and 125 Duke is the swingarm unit. While the 125 Duke uses an aluminium unit, the MT-15 sports a box-type swingarm. The MT-15 rides on a 100-section front tyre and a 140-section rear tyre. Comparatively, the KTM gets wider section tyres on both ends; 110-section at the front and a 150-section rear tyre. 

Pricing

Yamaha has priced the MT-15 at Rs 1.36 lakhs. The KTM 125 Duke on the other hand costs Rs 1.18 lakhs. (Both prices are ex-showroom, Delhi). 

Now the trade-off comes in terms of power and hardware. While you do get a powerful engine and LED lighting on the MT-15, the KTM 125 Duke offers better hardware like inverted forks, an aluminium swingarm, and wider tyres.