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KTM 125 Duke (2011-current)

Detail	Value
New price	£3,695
Used price range	View KTM 125 DUKE bikes for sale to see current asking prices
Engine size	124 cc
Power	15 bhp
Top speed	78 mph
Insurance group	7 of 17

	MCN ratings	Owners' ratings
Overall
Engine
Ride & Handling
Equipment
Quality & Reliability
Value

MCN overall verdict

If you’re looking to get your license, learn to lift either wheel or pursue some lightweight urban thrills, the 125 Duke can do it for you. It doesn’t seem like a regular, budget 125 machine; It feels like a premium motorcycle that just-so-happens to be low capacity. It’s a shame engine modifications only allow restriction and not an enhancement of power, but it’s early days yet. Move over YZF-R125, this is the new king of the 125s.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

The single-pot 124.7cc DOHC, liquid-cooled and fuel injected engine is an entirely new design for the 125 Duke. It’s more similar to the firm’s enduro models than to the 690 Duke, which due to space issues has no camshaft rocker and only a single overhead cam. It’s also unquestionably smooth and capable. It’ll get to 40mph in no time at all, and 78mph in a straight line. Despite only managing 15bhp it feels responsive and zesty enough to thrill. Shame European and learner regulations limit the Duke’s power, because it would do extremely well with another 10bhp under its belt.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Excellent. The riding position is comfortable, yet poised and cornering – thanks to the big bike ergonomics but small bike weight – is nimble and swift. The turning circle is good, though not phenomenal, while track riding – not an impossibility on the 125 Duke by any means – will allow you to scrape pegs, knee sliders and anything else you care to trail along the floor. The front brakes are fantastic and beautifully responsive, allowing you to really feel the front forks load on mid to heavy braking, while keeping the bike perfectly stable and straight. Anyone keen to lift the rear wheel will find the four piston calliper and the centralised riding position more than up to the job. The rear shock, too, absorbs any bumps in the road well and provided decent cushioning on a range of roads tested.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Top drawer. The KTM’s dash lights up in a display that’ll send butterflies spinning through every 17-year-old’s stomach. From the “charging” rev-counter to “READY TO RACE” welcome message to the orange backlight and range of figures that shames the RC8, the 125 Duke’s clocks are the best on the market. The mirrors are excellent and all lights on the bike are LEDs. It’s got decent pillion support too, as the seat and frame are larger than yer’ average 125. Plus… there’s a stack of extras to pick from the accessory catalogue, including LED lights, sticker kits and headlight masks.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

This is not just a bike that’s just good enough for learners, this is a bike to welcome young riders to the world of premium motorcycles. A walk around the Austrian-designed, Indian-built 125 Duke confirms the impression. The 43mm upside-down forks are by WP, as is the adjustable, linked rear shock, the four-piston radial front brakes are produced by Bybre (an Indian division of Brembo) and all the lights – from tail to indicators – are LEDs. The service intervals are a relatively short 3,106 miles.

MCN rating
Owners' rating

Yes, £3695 is a lot of money for a 125… but on launch KTM is offering one year’s free insurance or low rate finance packages, which could be worth hundreds to young riders saddled with prohibitive premiums. Then, when you consider the high re-sale value of well maintained KTM-built product, means the price doesn’t seem so high after all. The Suzuki Van Van [£3065], Yamaha YBR125 [£2399] and Honda CBR125R [£3170] are considerably cheaper, but just can’t touch the 125 Duke for quality. The next best thing – the ubiquitous Yamaha YZF-R125 - costs a whopping £4249, which makes the little Duke seem like a bargain.

Insurance group: 7 of 17

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2011: 125 Duke launched

None

Specifications

Top speed	78 mph
1/4-mile acceleration	secs
Max power	15 bhp
Max torque	ft-lb
Weight	128 kg
Seat height	810 mm
Fuel capacity	11 litres
Average fuel consumption	75 mpg
Tank range	180 miles
Annual road tax
Insurance group	7 of 17

Engine size	124 cc
Engine specification	4v, DOHC, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel injected, 6 gears
Frame	Steel trellis
Front suspension adjustment	WP-USD Ø 43 mm
Rear suspension adjustment	WP-Monoshock
Front brakes	Four piston, radially bolted caliper, brake disc Ø 280 mm
Rear brake	Single piston, floating caliper, brake disc Ø 230 mm
Front tyre size	110/70 R 17
Rear tyre size	150/60 R 17

See all KTM 125 DUKE motorcycles for sale

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125 DUKE

6000 miles

£2,500

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125 DUKE

1450 miles

£2,500

KTM
125 DUKE

1280 miles

£2,800

KTM
125 DUKE

350 miles

£3,100

KTM
125 DUKE

2022 miles

£2,750

Owners' Overall Rating (3 reviews)

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Don't Bother...

UrbanT1G3R

Average rating

Show Details

Overall
Ride and Handling
Equipment
Quality and Reliabilty
Value
Engine

My experience with this bag of indian bolts hasn't been the best. Bought from new and in 3000 miles the headstock bearing went AS WELL as a warped disc!!! Next 6k miles and another warped disc... Without listing all the dates I'll just give you the list of what has gone wrong in 12,000 miles (12 months of use). Brake light microswitch faulty X5! X2 warped brake disc (Front) 3 Coolant leaks from THE SAME PLACE - Mechanics tried to patch it up first time, the pipes were not seating the other times. Headstock Bearing DO NOT GET THIS FROM GEAR4 IN MARKET DEEPING. THEY ARE OVERCHARGING COWBOYS! DO NOT GET IT AT ALL. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND BUY A RELIABLE 125 LIKE THE CBF125 OR YBR125!

21 May 2013
Best bike to start learning on

Anonymous

Average rating

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I've had one of these for a few months now, and it's been excellent. I commuted to work on this which was an 80 mile a day round trip in all weathers. Handled the main roads, winding back roads and town without a problem (it will cruise comfortably at 62 miles an hour and if you floor it, will hit around 70 - 75mph) It's also quite big for a 125, so you can get used to the feel of larger bikes early on and nor will you look out of place if you're fairly tall (I'm 6ft and it fits fine). It looks great, well built with quality parts and makes a decent noise too. The price may seem excessive for a 125 but you won't have any trouble selling it on later and they hold their value extremely well. It sips at fuel and KTM also have insurance deals for getting younger riders on the road without breaking the bank. If you're looking for a simple commuter bike to get you from A to B, there are cheaper alternatives but if you want to start riding and look to get bigger bikes in future, the little KTM is probably the best place to start.

30 March 2013
Be aware...Think before you buy.

markdolly

Average rating

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Great looking and fully loaded as are all KTMs ... BUT ... I got one a few weeks ago (May 2011) and it comes limited to 100kph (62mph) as standard, yet KTM can turn this off. You cant! Its one of those modern mapping things. I have asked my dealer (Gear 4 Market Deeping) and they have no idea when the delimiter will be available. Fine whilst it is running-in but frustrating after. KTM seem a bit NFI when asked, not really giving a stuff about the 125 LL market yet. This is not to say the bike is not very good,but Dealer to Head Office comms appear sh*t. It could be my dealer?? I would hold off buying and talk to more dealers... it may be worth the extra miles if yours is not great. Redline KTM have been more helpful.

05 June 2011

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Overall
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UrbanT1G3R says

DON'T GET ONE

My experience with this bag of indian bolts hasn't been the best.

Bought from new and in 3000 miles the headstock bearing went AS WELL as a warped disc!!!

Next 6k miles and another warped disc... Without listing all the dates I'll just give you the list of what has gone wrong in 12,000 miles (12 months of use).

Brake light microswitch faulty X5!

X2 warped brake disc (Front)

3 Coolant leaks from THE SAME PLACE - Mechanics tried to patch it up first time, the pipes were not seating the other times.

Headstock Bearing

DO NOT GET THIS FROM GEAR4 IN MARKET DEEPING. THEY ARE OVERCHARGING COWBOYS! DO NOT GET IT AT ALL. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND BUY A RELIABLE 125 LIKE THE CBF125 OR YBR125!

21 May 2013 22:05

unclejimmysays

Not many dealers

I'm in the market for something like this. But I'm not gonna buy one cos there's only one dealer in the whole of Scotland and he's not even in the central belt where most Scottish people live. Dealer's up Perth. I don't fancy doing a 140 miles round trip for every service, or if any problems arise. So I reckon it's gonna be YZF-R125 for me. Shame. Cos the Duke 125 seems to be a brilliant bike. And well-priced too.

10 March 2013 03:32

MikeMania says

Hello, i have this fantastic bike but is with speed limit and i dont like this! can somebody tell me what i have to do?

18 October 2011 14:29

Kraysays

gr8 little bike

The KTM duke is perfect for the youth or just as a general commuter. as a 125 4 stroke, it is was you should expect.. A 125 4 STROKE! have heard of restrictions on it, but hav bought one myself and there was no visible restriction. have done over 70mph on it already, although KTM did say that on the first servicing after 600miles, they could program it 2 make it more powerful. But apart from being short a couple of horses, it is a gr8 bike.. looks superb and handles like a dream. its not built like a 125, thats what makes it gr8. really recommend it! ;)

24 August 2011 09:24