KTM has revealed two 250cc models at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Duke 250 and the RC250. Since the Austrians already have 125, 200 and 375cc machines on their line-up, the two new models make only sense if you know the Japanese regulations. In Japan, only bikes above 250cc need to take the viciously expensive shaken test. It’s likely that the two new models will be offered in other countries, too.
KTM introduces two new models
Two 250cc models, launched at the same time and not so long after the introduction of the 200 Duke in 2012 and the RC 200 less than a year ago; some may indeed wonder just what made KTM decide to add two more bikes to the range so soon, which appear to be so very similar. At a first glance it would seem the 250 DUKE and RC 250 are just a mere shot glass removed from that pair of fantastic 200 machines that have become two of Asia’s most popular two-wheelers in record time. However, in Japan, any motorized vehicle with a displacement bigger than 250cc must pass the dreaded Shaken test in every two years. This creates a significant market for bikes just under the 250cc mark.
When it came to the RC 250, the KTM engineers knew they had to turn out an extremely light supersport rocket to just eat up the twisties. All true sport riders know that it is roads with plenty of turns that offer the most exhilarating rides. And there are more ways of enjoying that sheer power. Agility and truly scary cornering speeds are the name of the RC 250’s game. The amazing kind of fun flicking the RC 250 into turn after turn has to be experienced. Seemingly devoid of gravity, it’s racing ergonomics and minimum-fatigue layout let the rider just melt into his ride while its perfect combination of low weight and stability turn it into a tornado of razorsharp precision. For endless cornering fun on back roads and race tracks, the engineers gave the new RC 250 an ultra lightweight trellis frame, a die cast alloy swing arm, top quality WP Suspension and generally only the best of premium components. Along with sticky sport tires, a radical ground clearance resulting from a slim outline allows for cornering at sheer bottomless lean angles. All this makes the RC 250 the perfect tool for true connoisseurs who subscribe to the school of braking later to stay faster longer.
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The 250 Duke is more the bike of the inner city. It features a light but rigid steel trellis frame, a highly resilient lattice swing arm and top wuality WP suspension parts. Moreover, weight grouped closely to the center of gravity maximazes agility and precision. And talking about weight, in the best KTM tradition, the Austrian company once again fields the bike with the best powerto-weight ratio in its class. The 250 Duke weighs just in at only 139 kg dry, and a 23kW (31 hp), there is no competitor in sight with a better power-to-weight ratio. Last but no leat, the little Duke is extremely well equipped.
Source: KTM
