As the Honda CBR250R takes on the Kawasaki Ninja 250 in the small cylinder sportbike category, KTM has decided to enter the fray as well.
According to president Stefan Pierer, a KTM 250 Duke is being developed which could even be ready in 18 months’ time.
The 125 Duke looks set to be a popular model as it received plenty of interest when it was released recently, and the 250 would offer the same product in a slightly bigger category.
Pierer says: “We’re working on a single-cylinder model from 250 to 300cc with four valves and twin overhead camshaft.
The dimensions won’t vary much from the 125cc.
” That last comment meaning a bigger engine could be fitted to the new 125 Duke model.
While KTM has 250cc models in its line-up, this will continue the new urban, naked plaything from the KTM in a departure from the hardcore, dirtbike models.
The news comes as Bajaj announces a greater stake in the company so we’ll be waiting on extra information as to production details in the future.