The KTM 250 Duke and KTM 250 RC
All you KTM Duke and RC fans, here's some more good news from the world of KTM. The Austrian motorcycle manufacturer recently revealed a 250cc version of their popular Duke and RC motorcycles.The motorcycles look near identical to their 200cc and 390cc versions, except for the 250 badging and some minur graphics on the 250 Duke. In case of the RC, it could easily pass off as the larger KTM RC 390. in fact, the chassis and most of the parts are shared across the range. From 200 to 390 and now 250cc.
The new KTM 250cc twins use the same engine base as the 125, 200 and 390 models. The new 250cc engine will further balance out KTM's product placement, giving them a proper quarter-liter competitor, positioned between the 125 and 390 in global markets.
The new 248.8cc single-cylinder, DOHC four-valve, fuel-injected engine runs a 72mm bore and a 61.1mm stroke (against the 89mm and 60mm of the 390). It makes 31.3 horsepower at 9,000rpm with a peak 24Nm torque coming in at 7,250 rpm. The intake valves are a larger 29mm, with 24mm exhaust valves being employed. The engine weighs just 37.2 kilograms and thus the dry weight of the KTM 250 Duke stands at just 139 kilograms.
Another change in the KTM 250 Duke will be its tires. While we have become used to the Metzeler tires of the 390, the KTM 250 Duke 17-inch wheels will be shod with Pirelli Diabolo Rosso 2 rubber, which should deliver excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions.
KTM haven't confirmed the markets where the 250cc's will be sold, but we imagine they would sell them in capacity-sensitive markets like Thailand.
