Yamaha recently announced the launch of its entry-level XSR series retro-styled bike XSR 125 in the selected European markets. While the manufacturer isn’t thinking about bringing the same in the Indian market due to the high price tag. While, if XSR 125 could come in India, its closest rival is with KTM Duke 125. Although, XSR 125 generates a lot of interest in Indian buyers as well. Here, we put together the Yamaha XSR 125 vs KTM Duke125: –
- Design and styling
Both the bike design inspired by very different architecture and language. Yamaha XSR 125 features a retro-styled design theme, while KTM Duke125 features a sportier bike design language. XSR 125 boasts it with a retro-styled theme inspired by their bigger siblings, while the underpinnings are shared with YZF-R125 and MT-15. It gets a circular headlamp, circular tail lamps, single-piece seat, and rounded fuel tank.
On another hand, KTM Duke 125 boasts its design inspired by its bigger siblings, Duke 200, Duke 250, and 390 Duke. It features a muscular fuel tank, LED taillights, exposed trellis frame, etc. Although, Duke 125 lags of all LED lightning as it gets a halogen headlamp instead of an LED headlamp.
- Equipment’s
Yamaha XSR 125 rides on USD front forks and a monoshock absorber at the rear end, along with 17-inch alloy wheels. The braking is handled by a 267 mm disc brake at the front and a 220 Mm disc brake at the rear wheel, with a dual-channel ABS system. The bikes get circular LCD fully digital instrument clusters.
KTM Duke125 also features the same suspension system, wheel size, but it rides on a 300 mm disc brake on the front wheel and a 230 mm disc brake for the rear wheel, along with a single-channel ABS system.
- Powertrain
| Model | Yamaha XSR 125 | KTM Duke 125 |
| Engine | 124 cc liquid cooled | 124.7 cc liquid cooled |
| Power | 14.9 PS at 10,000 Rpm | 14.5 PS at 9,250 Rpm |
| Torque | 11.5 Nm at 8,000 Rpm | 12 Nm at 8,000 Rpm |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6-speed |
Both the bikes feature almost the same numbers but KTM Duke 125 has an upper hand with 0.4 PS and 0.5 Nm tap over XSR 125. While if Yamaha ever brings XSR 125 it would be a welcome addition to the retro-styled bikes lover, although the manufacturer has to heavily localized the bike to bring the aggressive price band. The Brand should bring a Single-channel ABS system instead of a Dual-channel, and few more losses to the bike.
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