KTM India recently launched the new 160 Duke in the country, bringing its new smallest offering in the lineup. The new KTM 160 Duke replaces the 125 Duke in the brand’s lineup and seems like a more appropriate offering in terms of power-to-price ratio. Moreover, KTM is now targeting Yamaha’s dominance in the performance 150-180 cc segment, which has been largely ruled by the R15 and MT-15. Here’s a look at how the new KTM 160 Duke stacks up against the Yamaha MT-15.
KTM 160 Duke vs Yamaha MT-15: Engine
The 160 Duke not only gets a larger displacement engine over the MT-15 but is also the most powerful offering in this class. The KTM 160 Duke draws power from a 164.2 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC engine, tuned for 18.7 bhp at 9,500 rpm and 15.5 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. In contrast, the Yamaha MT-15 uses a 155 cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, which is slightly less powerful than the 160 Duke. The motor makes 18.1 bhp at 10,000 rpm and 14.1 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 rpm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox.
(Also read: KTM 160 Duke launched in India, RC 160 launching in a few weeks)
KTM 160 Duke vs Yamaha MT-15: Suspension
The KTM is underpinned by a steel trellis frame borrowed from the larger 200 Duke. It also uses a more sophisticated WP Apex USD front forks with a hollow axle, while a monoshock serves the purpose at the rear. The Yamaha MT-15 is underpinned by a Deltabox frame shared with the R15 V4. The street-naked uses USD forks up front and a linked-type monoshock at the rear.
KTM 160 Duke vs Yamaha MT-15: Braking
Braking performance on the KTM 160 Duke comes from a 320 mm disc at the front and a 230 mm disc at the rear. In comparison, the Yamaha MT-15 uses a 282 mm disc at the front and a 220 mm disc at the rear. Both bikes get dual-channel ABS as standard. The bikes also ride on 17-inch alloy wheels, but the 160 Duke benefits from bionic light wheels & lighter hugger tube to reduce the unsprung mass, borrowed from the bigger Duke motorcycles in the range.
KTM 160 Duke vs Yamaha MT-15: Kerb Weight
KTM claims a kerb weight of 147 kg on the 160 Duke, while the MT-15 is lighter at 141 kg. The ground clearance on the 160 Duke measures 174 mm, while that on the MT-15 is 170 mm. The Yamaha offering is more accessible with a seat height of 810 mm, while the KTM motorcycle sits taller at 815 mm. The Yamaha MT-15 has a shorter wheelbase of 1,325 mm, as opposed to 1,357 of the KTM 160 Duke.
(Also read: ₹1.70 lakh”>2025 Yamaha MT-15 V2.0 launched with new features, prices start at ₹1.70 lakh)
KTM 160 Duke vs Yamaha MT-15: Price
Both motorcycles are closely priced, but it’s the Yamaha MT-15 that’s more accessible, priced between ₹1.70 lakh and ₹1.81 lakh, depending on the colour you choose. On the other hand, the KTM 160 Duke is available in a single-spec fully loaded trim with three colour options, and is priced at ₹1.85 lakh. All prices are ex-showroom.
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