Yamaha FZ25 Vs Ktm Duke 250- Shootout

Aug 30, 2017
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The competition for the 250cc motorcycle lineup is getting heavier day by day, the manufacturers have found out the secret that the market is moving away from 100-150cc segment motorcycles to 200+ segment motorcycles. So we thought we must compare the best in class motorcycles from Yamaha and KTM. Both of the motorcycles gave us a great experience, but a competition always has only one winner. Let's find out who wins this comparo.

Looks and design:

Ktm Duke 250-

The front section of the motorcycle looks similar to the new Duke 390, except for the fact that the 390 gets a full LED lighting system and this doesn't. The indicators are well integrated and are flexible too. The trellis frame is the most attractive part seen on any Duke. The side profile is similar to the Duke 390, with a visible split trellis frame painted in orange and black colors. The wheel rims are painted in black color unlike the Duke 390 that gets them in orange color.

The rear section gets clear LED tail lamps. The rear also gets an integrated grab rail making it easier for the pillion. The rear tire gets a hugger, but is not very effective during rainy days, the water gets sprayed all over the pillion's clothes and the motorcycle too. The footpegs are supported with hard rubber that feels grippy enough. The Duke 250 gets a metal tank where the FZ 25 gets a plastic.

Yamaha FZ25-

On the other hand, the FZ25 looks taller than the Duke 250. The FZ 25 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 an appealing look. The tail lamp is transparent and looks stunning. The indicators look a little bulky and outdated when compared to the Duke 250. The muscular chiseled tank looks more impressive than the tank on the Duke 250. The footpegs are similar to the ones on the Duke 250 and do their job pretty well. I personally liked the mirrors on the FZ because they provided better visibility and were easier to operate.

Switchgear and instrument panel:

Ktm Duke 250-

The Duke 250 retains the standard instrument panel that is seen on most other KTM motorcycles, the instrument panel is loaded with hell a lot of features such as a speedometer, tachometer, gear shift indicator, trip, average fuel economy, clock, trip meter and so much more. KTM have also added loads of sensors to the motorcycle like lean angle sensor, side stand sensor, and much more. The quality of the buttons are pretty decent and do the work just fine. The headlamp switch has been removed for the AHO feature.

Yamaha FZ25-

The FZ25 gets a fully digital meter console which includes a 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. There is nowhere the FZ's instrument panel is going to beat the Duke 250. The FZ 25 lacks the side stand sensor, distance to empty and much more. I liked the way the pass light is integrated to the high beam low beam switch.

Ergonomics:

KTM Duke 250-

The Duke 250 is built around a new tubular trellis frame that has a bolt on sub frame. It feels easy to ride the motorcycle even under heavy traffic. It has been well designed that balancing it can be done with ease, eliminating the need to keep the foot down very often under slow moving traffic conditions. The motorcycle weighs 161kgs and has a tank capacity of 13.5 liters. It has a saddle height of 830mm, ground clearance of 185mm and a wheelbase of 1357mm.

Yamaha FZ25-

The center set foot pegs and upright handlebars make the city rides nice and comfortable on the Yamaha FZ 25. The seat feels nice and soft even under heavy traffic conditions. The motorcycle flickers and maneuvers without any effort or pains. There was a minimal ache in the palms too in the traffic. The motorcycle measures 2015mm in length, 770mm in width, 1075 mm in height with a seat height of 795mm. The motorcycle will suit a rider of any kind and size. The pillion seat is broader and softer on the FZ25.

Engine and performance:

KTM Duke 250-

Duke 250 is powered by a 249cc single cylinder, four stroke, liquid cooled engine that produces 29.60 bhp at 9,000 rpm and a peak torque of 24Nm at 7,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed gear box which is assisted by a Slipper Clutch. The torque in the Duke 250 kicks in earlier than the FZ25, it feels so much more aggressive to ride the motorcycle. There is juice almost at every possible power band.

RELATED ARTICLE: Compare Detailed Specifications Of KTM Duke 250 Vs Yamaha FZ25

The vibrations kick in at 6000 RPM and dampen out by 7500 RPM. The vibrations are more felt on the mirrors and foot pegs. The vibration felt on the handlebar is comparatively lesser than the FZ25. The way this motorcycle is throttled defines the ride quality, the smoother you throttle it, the better it gets.

Yamaha FZ25-

The engine on the new FZ25 is a 249cc, single cylinder, SOHC, 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 on the FZ 25 is smoother and there is a punch of torque from as low as 3500, this makes the rider that his ride is filled with torque when ever he rides it. The lack of the 6th gear is because Yamaha wanted the rider to feel the torque in every gear.

Once you ride the Duke 250 and then you move to the FZ 25, I am sure your foot will search for the 6th gear, because you want another gear to feel some more power and take more juice out of the motorcycle. The inclusion of the 6th gear would have let the FZ25 gain a better top speed and would have been really helpful for cruising conditions.

Brakes and suspension:

KTM Duke 250-

The Ktm Duke 250 gets a 300mm disc up front and a 230mm disc at the rear. It is the same braking system used in the Duke 200. They lack out on the sintered pads that are offered on the Duke 390. The Front brakes do a pretty good job, but the rear brakes need some improvement, they tend to lock up too much under aggressive braking. KTM could have offered ABS and Metzeler tires at least as an optional variant.

The suspension quality was pretty pleasing for both the rider and the pillion. The mono shock used for the rear felt a bit towards the stiffer side. The front gets a 43mm WP Upside Down Forks, to be honest, I did like the front suspension a lot. Both the suspensions have a travel length of 150mm. The suspensions happily dampened out the pot holes without any hassle.

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. I hope Yamaha will do something for the brakes on this otherwise fantastic motorcycle.

The FZ25 is featured with telescopic fork suspensions up front and the rear gets a mono shock suspension with a suspension travel of 130mm and 120mm respectively. 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:

If you are a person who is a family man and wants a cost cutting 250cc smooth performer, then I would say the Yamaha FZ 25 would make a great motorcycle at a price tag of INR 1.20 Lakh (Ex-showroom). If you are a youngster like me, the Duke 250 it is. The FZ25 is still a great motorcycle for youngsters, but it just lacks the punch that the Duke 250 provides. Priced at INR 1.73 Lakh (Ex-showroom) the overall winner of this shootout is the Ktm Duke 250 because it is just worth for each and every penny that is invested on it.