Malaysia’s quarter-litre class motorcycle market today leaves the buyer spoilt for choice. With practically every motorcycle manufacturer having at least one 250 or 300 cc entry-level or higher bike in the local range, there is a quarter-litre bike to fit every need and budget.
Austrian outfit KTM, which is currently 47% owned by Bajaj Auto Limited of India, has leveraged heavily on its partnership, and produced a series of small-displacement bikes that has seen it garner a large market share in the Indian sub-continent, as well as in South-East Asian countries and a large customer base in Europe.
Launched mid-last year in Malaysia, KTM’s pair of 250 cc twins, the Duke 250 and RC 250, have gained a following amongst local riders. For those wanting a brand outside the mainstream of the Japanese ‘Big Four’ (or more accurately, ‘Big Three’ locally since Suzuki doesn’t officially offer a 250 cc motorcycle), KTM offers an alternate image, with a performance oriented focus.
We were given the opportunity to test the 250s back-to-back, and this provided for a good comparison as to how two identical engines and almost identical chassis can behave in very different ways.
Designed for two very different riding styles and images, the Duke 250 and RC 250 take opposite ends of the riding spectrum. The Duke comes as a motard-styled naked, with an up-right riding position and wide, Moto-X style handlebars, while there is no mistaking the RC’s racebike looks, with its full-fairing, and head-down riding position.
Taking the 390 cc single as used in the Duke 390 and RC 390, KTM sleeved down the engine bore, to create a 249 cc single fed by EFI. This was in response to both licensing requirements in many markets, where 250 cc bikes are the most license-friendly, as well as consumer feedback that the 200
