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.

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India Yamaha Motor, one of the leading two-wheeler manufacturers in the country, has finally revealed the pricing for its first electric offering in the country – Aerox E.

The e-scooter based on the River Indie’s EC06 is priced at INR 281,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), which makes it the most expensive scooter in Yamaha India’s portfolio. The e-scooter is available at Yamaha Blue Square showrooms in select cities.

The Aerox E is powered by a Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor (PMSM) that delivers 9.4 kW of peak power and 48 Nm of torque. It offers a top speed of 95.5 kmph and a certified range of 117 km. The scooter features three ride modes – Eco, Standard and Power – as well as a boost function and a reverse mode.

The e-scooter is equipped with dual removable batteries, each with a 1.5 kWh capacity, which take approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes to charge. The battery system comes with a warranty of 3 years or 30,000 km.

The scooter includes a traction control system, disc brakes with single-channel ABS, and a 5-inch colour TFT display with turn-by-turn navigation. Owners can access data such as maintenance reminders and parking location through the Y-Connect mobile app. The vehicle also features a smart key system and an external charging port.

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Chennai-headquartered two-wheeler and three-wheeler major TVS Motor Company has announced that its popular Apache motorcycle brand has surpassed 7 million customers worldwide.

To mark the milestone, the company has released a brand new campaign film titled ‘Tu Race Laga’, directed by acclaimed Bollywood director Ram Madhvani.

Established in 2005, the Apache motorcycle lineup is based on key learnings from the company’s racing division. The brand has introduced features including fuel injection, ride modes and traction control systems. The motorcycles are currently available in 90 countries.

Gaurav Gupta, President, India 2W Business, TVS Motor Company, said, “We thank the 7 million TVS Apache riders for their trust and passion over the past two decades. From racing roots to a global performance brand, this milestone reflects the dedication of the entire TVS Motor ecosystem. We will continue to push the boundaries of performance motorcycling through purposeful innovation, global expansion and strong riders communities.”

Vimal Sumbly, Head Business - Premium, TVS Motor Company, said, “Twenty years ago, TVS Apache was born with a singular vision - to bring the excitement, control, and race-bred capability of the racetrack to everyday riders through our ‘Track to Road’ philosophy. Today, as we celebrate the milestone of 7 million customers globally, we are proud to see TVS Apache evolve into one of the world’s fastest-growing premium motorcycle brands and a thriving community united by a shared passion for riding. The launch of ‘Tu Race Laga’ is a tribute to this journey and to every rider who chooses to push boundaries, embrace progress, and carry the racing spirit into everyday life. As we look ahead, we remain committed to redefining motorcycling through relentless innovation, race-bred technology, and experiences that inspire riders across the world.”

The Apache range includes the RTR 160, RTR 160 4V, RTR 180, RTR 200 4V, RTR 310, RR 310 and the RTX.

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Suzuki Motorcycle India, a leading manufacturer of scooters and motorcycles in the country, has announced its wholesales for June 2026.

The company recorded total sales of 115,030 units last month, a 21 percent YoY increase compared to the 95,244 units sold a year ago. Domestic sales reached 91,264 units, up 23 percent YoY, while exports grew 12 percent to 23,766 units.

Deepak Mutreja, Vice-President – Sales & Marketing, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said, “Our sales performance in June reflects the sustained momentum, supported by strong demand and the trust our customers continue to place in the Suzuki brand. As customer expectations continue to evolve, we remain focused on delivering products that offer reliability, performance and value. At the same time, we are strengthening our engagement with customers through meaningful initiatives and experiences that help us build lasting relationships beyond the purchase.”

Revenue from spare parts sales totalled INR 929 million in June 2026, marking 15 percent growth over the previous year.

During the month, Suzuki Motorcycle India conducted the Burgman Hangout Parade in Pune and Hyderabad. Additionally, the company held GIXXER Pit Stop events in Kumbakonam, Ranchi, Bengaluru and Dehradun, which involved 285 participants.

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Yulu, an Indian shared electric mobility platform, has announced that over 12,000 women home service professionals across 12 cities have utilised its platform to facilitate their work.

By providing accessible, low-cost electric vehicles (EVs), Yulu is actively dismantling mobility barriers that often prevent women from entering or thriving in the gig economy.

The platform supports women working as home cleaners, meal preppers and laundry professionals in the fast-growing online home services sector. Yulu’s lightweight, speed-capped EVs – which do not require a driver’s license – have allowed these professionals to complete 25–30 percent more assignments daily.

The all-inclusive rental model, which covers battery swapping and maintenance, significantly lowers the barrier to entry for women who previously lacked reliable personal transport.

Beyond the 12,000 women in home services, Yulu says it has empowered over 550,000 gig workers and delivery partners nationwide, many of whom have seen their incomes rise by 30–40 percent compared to using traditional petrol bikes.

The integration of Yulu’s mobility solutions comes at a pivotal time for India's service economy. According to Redseer Strategy Consultants, India's online home services market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18–22 percent, reaching nearly USD 1 billion by FY2030.

At present over 35,000 women professionals are providing on-demand home services across platforms such as Urban Company, Snabbit and Pronto to name a few.

Amit Gupta, Co-Founder & CEO, Yulu, said, "Access to a vehicle often spells the difference between being dependent on her family and having an additional income stream that unlocks independence and dignity."

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