Yamaha FZ25 Vs KTM Duke 200- Shootout

Yamaha shocked the India market after the launch of the FZ25, the motorcycle proved to be a slobber knocker for its price tag. The FZ25 will be loved by riders of any kind or size. The KTM Duke is a class leader simply because it is really quick and fun to ride at almost every RPM range. Both the motorcycles are priced under 1.5 lakhs Ex-showroom. Can the Yamaha FZ25 dethrone the current king of the 200cc segment the KTM Duke 200? Let's find out.

Styling & Design: KTM Duke 200:

The Duke 200 has a neatly laid outlook, simple headlamp, the tail lamp which is not very modern and not very outdated too. It looks neat and precise, just there to solve the purpose. The black trellis frame gives the motorcycle a raw look. The LED indicators are my most favorite part of the motorcycle, they look sleek and compact. The Duke has a nice youngster look to it which most of the guys of this generation will love to own. The broad rear tire gives it a nice beefy look. The fit and finish of the motorcycle is upmarket and feel special. The rubber used on the handlebars feel a bit rough to use, KTM could have made them softer.

Yamaha Fz25:

On the other hand, the Yamaha FZ25 is a higher looking motorcycle, the FZ25 grabs a lot of eyes out on the roads. It has a nice huge superbike feel to it. The split headlamps with LED lights and DRLs give the motorcycle a pure mean look. The taillamp is transparent and looks stunning. Yamaha never dies to impress the market with their looks. The muscular chiseled tank keeps the knees and thighs tight and safe. The FZ25 looks amazing from any angle.

Instrument panel and Switchgear: KTM Duke 200:

The KTM Duke 200 is loaded with a bunch of features that will take days to learn. Amazing sensors that don't let the motorcycle start until the side stand is lifted off, so much more. The instrument panel bags a tachometer, speedometer, 2 trip meters, fuel indicator, gear shift indicator, red line indicator, a clock, average fuel economy and the list just continues. The instrument panel looks sturdy and feels solidly built. KTM have managed to offer top notch quality of the plastic on the switch gear.

Yamaha FZ25:

The instrument cluster of the FZ-25 isn't something that is very amusing, but yeah for something positive there will be something negative, maybe we can just neglect how it looks and get into the features now. The FZ25 gets a fully digital meter console which includes- Speedometer, Tachometer, Fuel gauge, Odometer, two Trip meters, Fuel Reserve Trip meter, Clock, Instant fuel economy and Average fuel economy indicator. What the FZ25 lacks are the side stand and gear shift indicators. The switches feel nice and premium, the integration of the passing light along with the high beam switch is a smart move by Yamaha.

Ergonomics: KTM Duke 200:

The rear set foot pegs and single piece handlebar make you feel like you are riding a proper naked sports motorcycle. The riding position just tempts the rider to twist open the throttle and play with the motorcycle. The Duke's riding position can get very tiring under stand still traffic conditions but is very pleasing to ride the motorcycle on empty roads. Want to tackle the traffic like a boss? The Duke 200 does it like professional with ease. The Duke 200 weighs 148kgs with a total length of 2002mm and a seat height of 810mm.

Yamaha FZ25:

The center set foot pegs and upright handlebar make the city rides nice and comfortable. The seats feel nice and soft and never gave the butt an ache under heavy traffic conditions. The motorcycle flickers and maneuvers without any effort or pains. However,there was a minimal ache in the palms while riding in the traffic. The motorcycle measures 2015mm in length, 770mm in width, 1075 mm in height with a seat height of 795mm. The Yamaha FZ25 will suit a rider of any kind and size.

Engine and performance: KTM Duke 200:

It's the engine of the Duke 200 that changes the whole scenario. The engine just urges you to feel the power at almost every rev range. It rides really quick in the city, but the engine isn't the same on the highway, it is not that pleasing to ride it on the highway. The Duke is powered by a 199cc single cylinder, 4 strokes, liquid cooled, engine that churns out 24.6BHP at 10,000RPM and 19.2Nm torque at 8,500RPM with a bore and stroke length of 72mm and 49mm respectively and is mated to a 6-speed gearbox.

The gearing on the Duke 200 feels short and respond effectively to every shift. The down shifts or engine braking also work effectively. The clutch is placed a bit towards the heavier side. Most of them will not like the exhaust note of the Duke 200, but it is the pure engine noise that is produced during the combustion process, which can only be loved by a few amongst the crowd. Burst open the throttle and you can feel the boost of power that the motorcycle produces just pushing the rider behind and bringing in a huge smile on the riders face. The Duke 200 hits a 0-60 run in 3.30 seconds and 0-100 in 9.20 seconds.

Yamaha FZ25:

The engine on the new FZ25 is a 249cc, single cylinder, SOCH, 4-stroke unit that is oil-cooled, and fuel injected. It comes with 4-row core oil cooler. The engine produces a maximum power output of 20.69Ps at 8,000RPM and 20Nm torque at 6,000RPM. The engine is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The engine feels smooth and refined like every other Yamaha in the market. Even though the vibrations are evident at a certain range of RPM's the engine just makes you forget it.

The FZ25 just feels punchier and quicker than the KTM Duke 200 and TVS Apache 200. 3 digit figures were achieved sooner than the KTM Duke200 and TVS Apache 200. The part where the FZ lacked was the retention of the same punch at the top end. The FZ25 does a 0-60 run in 3.38 seconds and a 0-100 run in 8.63 seconds which is unbelievably quick from the figures that it produces on paper.

Braking and Suspension: KTM Duke 200:

The KTM Duke 200 gets a 300mm disc up front with a four-pot brake caliper and 230mm discs in the rear with a one-pot brake caliper. The front brakes are pretty responsive and provide a decent feedback. While the rear brakes tend to lock up soon, causing the motorcycle to lose traction under aggressive braking. The front end gets a WP Upside Down (USD) suspension and the rear gets a mono shock. The suspensions are more towards the stiffer side and do not offer a very plush ride quality.

Yamaha FZ25:

The front end receives a 282mm disc brake and the rear wheel has a 220mm disc brake. The front brakes have a good bite and feedback, the rear brakes feel slow and progressive and lack that bite and feel that the front brakes provide. The FZ25 is featured with telescopic fork suspensions up front and the rear gets a mono shock suspension. The suspension is a major plus point the ride feels soft and plush, the suspensions seamlessly absorb all the potholes and bumps on the roads. Verdict:

Both the motorcycles performed seamlessly in the shootout, but there has to be a winner and the winner in this shootout is the Yamaha FZ25, because it is priced lower than the Duke and feels nicer to ride in the city and highways claiming higher economy figures.

Review By: Rishath Suresh
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