Thumb the starter on the KTM Duke 160 and the first impression is of familiarity – those tense lines, sculpted tank and sit-in stance that signal ‘Duke’ before the wheels even turn – yet there’s also a welcome lightness to how it picks up and changes direction at parking speeds and in the first hundred metres. That easy agility is backed by a chassis brief that reads serious on paper – trellis frame with bolt-on subframe, lighter five-spoke wheels, hollow axles and geometry that’s a shade sharper than the bigger siblings – so the bike feels eager without getting nervous when the pace rises.

Within a few blocks, two things set the tone for daily life: a clutch that’s genuinely light and progressive and a gearbox that slips through ratios cleanly, letting short, tidy shifts replace the usual 160cc thrash – helped by a slipper clutch that takes the drama out of hurried downshifts when traffic opens and closes without warning.

What stands out

The Duke 160 looks and feels like a proper Duke – tense lines, sculpted tank, sit-in stance – and backs it up with a genuinely light and eager front end thanks to the trellis frame, lighter five-spoke wheels and sharper geometry. The motor’s real-world strength is tractability and in-gear urge rather than fireworks off the line; timed roll-ons of 30–70 kmph in 6.8s (4th) and 9.1s (5th) make short overtakes easy without constant downshifts, echoing the sentiment that it feels brisk between gaps more than it feels explosive from a standstill.

Braking hardware is a headline win: a 320mm front disc with braided lines and dual-channel ABS (rear channel switchable) gives bite and progression few 160s can match and it shows when hustling or panic-stopping in town.

The everyday reality

At 815mm, the seat is on the taller side for an average-height rider; those around 5ft 8in may tip-toe at awkward cambers, though the wide bar and neutral pegs help low-speed balance and leverage in traffic. The clutch and gearbox pairing is excellent – light, smooth and confidence-inspiring – so creeping traffic and quick, clean shifts become second nature within minutes of riding. Lever placement is not perfect from the crate; both the gear and brake pedals could use a quick adjustment during PDI to better match different boot sizes and ankle angles, which takes the edge off initial niggles.

Ride and features

Suspension tuning leans towards control with acceptable compliance: the Duke stays planted and keen to turn, yet retains enough travel to keep sharp edges from jarring too much in the city, though rougher patches still remind that it’s set up to feel taut rather than plush. Thermal management is a positive: a larger radiator surface area helps in slow-moving traffic and while the fan cycles in dense conditions, heat never tips into discomfort during typical urban use in this test window. The monochrome LCD with a dot-matrix pane is clear in bright light, offers all the basics at a glance and the microswitch cubes feel a cut above the class; Bluetooth navigation remains an accessory, which keeps base weight and price in check.

Verdict

Against the Yamaha MT-15 V2, the Duke 160 trades efficiency for feel: the Yamaha is lighter and significantly more frugal (users often report 50+ km/l), while the KTM bites harder on the brakes, feels more planted at the front and pulls stronger in mid-gear bursts on paper and in practice. The KTM’s 19PS and 15.5Nm edge the Yamaha’s 18.4PS and 14.1Nm and its 320mm rotor dwarfs the MT’s 282mm, but the MT-15 counters with lower kerb weight and everyday economy advantages that matter to commuters. If weekly highway runs and traffic sprints define the brief, the Duke’s chassis feedback, brake feel and roll-on pace make a compelling case; if fuel economy and a lower seat are top priorities, the MT-15 remains the pragmatic pick and price positioning in on-road terms still favours the Yamaha in many cities.

In short, the Duke 160 is not the outright quickest feeling 160 off the mark, nor the most frugal, but it is the most ‘KTM’ in the way that matters: front-end feel, braking confidence and mid-gear urge that make real-world riding more engaging and assured than the spec sheet alone suggests. It could do with lower seat options from the factory and cleaner lever ergonomics out of the box; sort those and it becomes an easy recommendation for riders who value control and character over kilometre-per-litre bragging rights.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has reported revenue of INR 138.96 billion for Q1 FY2027, marking a 38 percent increase compared to INR 100.81 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year.

For Q1 FY2027, EBITDA reached INR 17.79 billion, up 41 percent from INR 12.60 billion, Profit After Tax grew by 51 percent to INR 11.74 billion, compared to INR 7.76 billion for the same period last year.

The company reported its overall two- and three-wheeler sales grew by 28 percent to 1.63 million units, up from 1.28 million units.

In the two-wheeler segment motorcycle sales increased by 19 percent to 740,000 units, while scooter sales grew by 36 percent to 680,000 units.

Electric two-wheeler sales grew by 86 percent to 129,940 units, bringing the total customer base past 1-million-unit milestone. Three-wheeler sales grew by 48 percent to 66,697 units.

The overall exports grew by 33 percent to 470,000 units.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Pune-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has announced its financial results for Q1 FY2027, with revenue from operations coming at INR 172.44 billion, marking a 37 percent YoY, as compared to INR 125.84 billion last year.

The EBITDA came at INR 35.96 billion, while Profit after Tax reached INR 29.83 billion, both rising over 40 percent YoY, as against INR 20.96 billion last year.

During Q1, total sales reached 1.43 million units, representing a 29 percent increase YoY, which includes 1.22 million two-wheelers, up 29 percent YoY and 215,699 three-wheelers, up 33 percent YoY.

Bajaj Auto stated that its domestic revenues grew 26 percent YoY, with electric vehicles accounting for approximately 30 percent of the domestic business.

On the exports front, volumes surpassed 700,000 units, generating record revenues driven by growth in Latin America and Africa.

Three-wheeler sales saw revenues grow by 25 percent YoY, supported by electric three-wheelers.

Bajaj Auto’s free cash flow additions exceeded INR 23 billion, leaving surplus funds of over INR 210 billion at the close of the quarter.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Bengaluru-based battery swapping technology company Indofast Energy and Hala Mobility have announced a partnership to deploy 40,000 electric two-wheelers by March 2027, with a target of 100,000 units by March 2028.

The collaboration has already deployed 15,000 electric two-wheelers across Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Delhi NCR and Mumbai. The partnership utilises battery-swapping infrastructure across cities, with expansion planned for Pune, Chennai and Jaipur. Indofast Energy operates a network of swap stations across 24 cities supporting vehicles.

Rajat Malhan, Chief Business Officer, Indofast Energy, said, "Our partnership with Hala Mobility demonstrates what happens when reliable energy infrastructure meets ambitious fleet deployment - rapid, scalable EV adoption that works for riders, operators, and the environment. Reaching 15,000 vehicles in under a year validates that battery swapping is the default choice for fleet operators who prioritise uptime and economics. As we scale toward 40,000 vehicles by March 2027 and 1 lakh by 2028, we are building the kind of integrated ecosystem that will define India's commercial EV transition; making swappable battery EVs the most practical and profitable choice for last-mile logistics."

Srikanth Reddy, Founder, Hala Mobility, said, "At Hala Mobility, we are committed to democratising electric mobility for India's delivery workforce. Partnering with Indofast Energy allows us to integrate our fleet with robust battery swapping infrastructure, ensuring our riders experience zero downtime and maximum daily earnings. Our rapid scale-up to 15,000 vehicles proves that the model is effective towards creating a highly efficient, sustainable, and inclusive EV ecosystem across India.”

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!

Classic Legends, an Indian motorcycle manufacturer by the Mahindra Group the makers of Jawa, Yezdi and BSA brands, celebrated the 24^th Edition of International Jawa-Yezdi Day (IJYD) on 12 July 2026.

The event, which began as an initiative among motorcycle owners, involved over 7,500 riders across 150 cities in India this year. The celebration included 40 enthusiast communities in India and participants in 11 countries, who marked the occasion through rides and gatherings. The event united owners of vintage motorcycles with riders of current Jawa and Yezdi models.

Anupam Thareja, Co-Founder, Classic Legends, said, "24-years ago, International Jawa-Yezdi Day began as a simple expression of passion among riders who wanted to celebrate the motorcycles they loved. Today, it has grown into a global tradition that transcends borders and generations. What makes IJYD truly special is that it belongs to the riders themselves. Every ride, every gathering and every shared story keeps this legacy alive. More importantly, it celebrates the friendships, communities and memories built around these motorcycles. We are honoured to be a part of movement that continues to grow stronger with every passing year."

The festivities were organised by more than 40 rider clubs, along with dealerships and enthusiast communities.

Comments (0)

ADD COMMENT

Link Copied!