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KTM 125 Duke in the 25,000 km endurance test

Interim balance of the 137-kilo flea

Also this year, KTM’s little Duke is a bestseller, everyone loves her. MOTORRAD wanted to know whether the machine would not only stay cool visually, but also technically over 25,000 long-term test kilometers. An interim balance.

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Appropriate husbandry: Anything can be done with a few tricks:

In a country where constant nagging has become a kind of attitude towards life, you rarely find something like this: Most drivers of the long-term Duke 125 are enthusiastic. However, there are different reasons. In the logbook there are appreciative notes about how well you can hop through the lines of cars in the city center with the light 137-kilo flea. Or also about the low thirst of the single cylinder. The injection system rarely atomizes more than three liters per 100 kilometers. At first, the little one was viewed with skepticism: The 125cc is manufactured in India by KTM investor Bajaj. Some names of the suppliers such as Bybre (brake calipers) or MRF (tires) are hardly known in this country. Basically, this is not a negative, as the Duke is manufactured in India according to strict Austrian quality standards. Nevertheless: Little Duke was eagerly awaited in the long-term test fleet.

KTM 125 Duke in the 25,000 km endurance test

Interim balance of the 137-kilo flea

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The KTM 125 Duke after 25,000 kilometers of endurance test.

The buyers think so too. As early as 2011, the year it was launched, it left all its competitors behind and with 949 units it became the best-selling 125 cc in Germany. In 2012, too, it tops the German hit list with 1,462 registered machines (as of December 1). The Duke suffered the first breakdown in the MOTORCYCLE endurance test at 1165 kilometers: a nail causes a flat tire at the back, the mishap is quickly repaired and off you go. For the first 3,000 kilometers, Duke’s airbox breathes urban or Swabian air, then online editor Manuel Fuchs takes it with him on her first big round. He unwinds 1200 kilometers in a row. Bavaria. Lower Bavaria. Upper Bavaria. And then hands it over to Harald Humke, the managing editor.

Harry drives home only 20 kilometers. Put them down, nothing further. The following morning the Duke has extreme starting problems. It runs badly, stutters and only dragged itself back to the editorial office with great effort. The ignition coil turns out to be the source of the error. When asked, KTM confirmed that there were initially problems with the ignition in some cases, but that these were completely eliminated when the 200 Duke was launched. Occasionally, the ignition coil and spark plug had to be replaced. Another spark plug has also been installed since spring 2012.

So the little one continues to collect kilometers and little criticism. A small excerpt from it: The flickering, the constant jumping back and forth of the speedometer, annoys some drivers. Just like revving up the small single cylinder during a cold start. Although the single bravely accepts gas even at temperatures well below minus ten degrees, it sometimes jerks until it has reached its operating temperature. Big drivers complain about the limited space, and pilots who want to take some luggage with them complain about the lack of mounting options. In fact, the 125 luggage hook is missing, maybe a couple of elongated holes in the passenger footrest protection would do.

Perfect for city traffic: the KTM 125 Duke.

When the mileage is 7052, the Duke is given a set of new tires. Although it made it through the icy winter with series tires, nobody was really taken with the Indian MRF skins. Sentences like "Little confidence in tires when it is wet" are increasing. Switching to Michelin Pilot Power pays off – handling and grip are significantly improved. At kilometer 9439 there is a note from test editor Andreas Bildl: “The brakes are difficult to adjust – rubs.” The rub-off phenomenon extends over the next 4,000 kilometers. After a fiery chase over the country road with many braking maneuvers, it is almost no longer noticeable, after a few days of driving around town again. It is particularly annoying in situations in which you only apply the brake pads gently. When rolling cautiously towards a traffic light, for example. Time for action. As a precaution, the little speedster is given a wave disc at kilometer 13561. From then on, brake juddering is a thing of the past.

After the logbook entry: “Is there really no alternative to the ugly bread bin in the swing arm?”, MOTORRAD orders four exhaust systems, all of which are of higher quality than the standard sheet iron box, also known in technical terms as a “Handicap engine emuffler”. Visually, the systems take getting used to: The thin connecting pipes of the Acrapovic and Sebring dampers in particular seem lost in the wide swing arm recess. Here the eye has to decide, because it is not about extra performance. The bench tests all ran with a built-in, legally compliant dB eater and only revealed marginal differences in performance. Nevertheless, all tested systems are lighter than the series bread box with its 4.6 kilograms.

Together with the exhaust assembly, the long-term test Duke was also visually pimped a little. In addition to some parts from KTM accessories, crash pads and engine protection covers from the renowned manufacturer R&G installed, which are characterized by a very good fit and excellent workmanship. Protected in this way, the Duke goes on the last 10,000-kilometer stage. At the time of going to press, the speedometer had just passed the 15,000 mark. The little one is currently in the workshop and is getting an inspection. The steering head bearing gets stuck and is replaced after this low mileage. But despite these incidents, the little one runs like clockwork. The 125 Duke will continue its success story and is even a pioneer in terms of safety: from 2013, the little sweeper will be exactly 250 euros more expensive than its predecessor at 4,245 euros. It is the first 125 series to have ABS as standard.

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Akrapovic slip-on for the KTM 125 Duke.

Akrapovic slip-on

The 3.7 kg heavy and 544.50 euro expensive system consists of two parts and is made of brushed stainless steel with a carbon end cap. The Kat can be changed in a snap. The close-to-production sound from the slip-on muffler sounds slightly duller than the Remus and the original muffler. The performance development is at series level. Getting used to: the slim connecting tube in the swing arm recess. Available from any KTM dealer.

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Sebring slip-on for the KTM 125 Duke.

Sebring slip-on

With a price of 395.70 euros, the 4.3 kg stainless steel system is the cheapest of the comparison, but it is also the heaviest despite the plastic end cap. It delivers a little more torque in the middle. The dB-Eater is removable, the Kat unfortunately not. In terms of sound it sounds a bit dull, but still very subdued. It takes some getting used to: the slim connecting tube in the swing arm recess. Available from every KTM dealer.

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LeoVince Slip-On GP-Style for the KTM 125 Duke.

LeoVince Slip-On GP style

The most powerful system in comparison also beguiles with the best sound. The LeoVince delivers more torque, especially in the middle, but does not lose at the top. The 3.7 kg complete stainless steel system is well made, but a bit more complex to assemble (two hours) because it consists of three parts. The Kat is plugged in and can easily be exchanged. The system, which costs 499 euros, comes with an additional dB eater. Obtainable from www.leovince.de

Accessories put to the test

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Ready to race: Duke 125 radically pimped.

The 125 Duke was pimped with noble accessories. Now she makes even more!

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Hand protectors with aluminum struts (89.15 euros).

Hand protectors
Two versions of KTM are available. The plastic version (58.50 euros) or the more stable version with aluminum struts (89.15 euros), which MOTORRAD chose. This keeps your hands drier, warmer and safer.

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Engine cover protection set (159.90 euros) from manufacturer R&G.

Well protected
From the manufacturer R&G was fitted with a very high-quality engine cover protection set (159.90 euros). Both covers for the alternator and clutch are also available individually. Reference: www.eiweiss-raceparts.de

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Aluminum cover for the brake fluid reservoir.

Color comes into play
Simply nicer and more valuable: the aluminum covers for the brake fluid reservoir at the front (44.50 euros), rear (39.60 euros) and for the oil filter (27.70 euros) are available in the KTM factory color from every KTM dealer.

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The short stern of R&G (125.90 euros).

Short tail
Perfect fit, very well made, top optics – the short rear of R&G (125.90 euros) upgrades the Duke extremely. In the rain, however, you are not as well protected as with the original part.

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Wave design disc (197.35 euros) from the KTM accessories.

Wave brake disc
Due to strong brake jolts, the brake disc was replaced at kilometer 13561. As an alternative, a wave-design disc (197.35 euros) from the KTM accessories was installed.

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The R&G-Shocktube (35.90 euros) for the shock absorber is impact-resistant, waterproof and well ventilated.

Shock absorber protection
Not absolutely necessary, but nice: The R&G-Shocktube (35.90 euros) for the shock absorber is impact-resistant, waterproof and well ventilated. Obtainable from www.eiweiss-raceparts.de

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