KTM Duke 200 ABS makes an appearance for 2013

The Duke 200 is one of the best learner motorcycles one can get in developed markets, but it was lacking a few features that are deemed necessary on motorcycles developed recently. ABS is one such thing; the Honda CBR250R has offered it since going on sale and now the Kawasaki Ninja 300 is offering it as an option, so it was only a matter of time before the Duke got this feature. 

KTM has announced the Duke 390 in the run up to EICMA, and it has ABS as an option. Thanks to the concept of parts sharing, the 125 and 200 will get this feature as well. There is no real information about the system other than the appearance of the relevant page on KTM's international site under the 2013 year model Duke 200, but we can tell you that the ABS unit will add 4.5kg to the motorcycle's kerb weight. That certainly isn't enough to blunt its performance, and given the permanently ride-me-hard nature of the bike, we're glad that this option is being made avalable. 

There is no word from KTM India yet whether the ABS variant will be made available in the Indian marketplace, but logic will dictate that they hold it off until the Duke 390 is launched. This will make it easier logistically for the company to sell and maintain the extra feature, so expect it to launch either a little before or after the Duke 390 does in the Indian market.