KTM has been serving as a prominent two wheeler manufacturer for the past few years in the Indian market. However, it has been facing issues related to insolvency. Nonetheless, the brand affirmed to continue operations, while the management could be changed. The statement was made at the KTM 390 Adventure's media ride in India. The brand has now decided to discontinue its two popular 125 cc bikes- the KTM 125 Duke and the RC 125, from 1st April 2025. The KTM 125 Duke and the KTM RC 125 wont receive any updates and refrains from the OBD2B compliance, as it is not financially viable for the company.
KTM 125 Duke and RC 125 get a124.7 cc liquid cooled, DOHC engine, matted with a 6-speed gearbox
From the past few years, the Indian two wheeler customers have shifted the base from smaller engines to bigger engines, like- 350cc, 390cc, 450 cc and so on. KTM recently launched the 390 Enduro and other bikes corresponding to the segment. Since, KTM and other brands drifted the trend to bigger engined bikes, the decline in the 125cc line is quite obvious. However, the KTM 125 Duke and the RC 125 served as good fit for the beginners, but the premium pricing of the bike led to the lesser popularity as compared to the rivals.
KTM launched the 125 Duke in 2021, and it gets a 124.7 cc liquid cooled, DOHC engine that works in conjunction with a 6-speed gearbox. It is capable of churning out a peak power and torque output of 14.5 HP and 12 Nm, respectively.
Though the Austrian brand has made up its mind to discontinue the 125 cc segment, there are other bikes that might grab a spot in the garage. The KTM 125 Duke and the RC 125 has competitors like- the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Yamaha R15, and the Yamaha MT15, in the Indian market.