At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
Bajaj Dominar 250
- 248.77 cc Liquid-Cooled
- 27 PS @ 8500 rpm
- 35 km/l (ARAI Certified)
- 13-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Dual-channel ABS + 4 Riding Modes
KTM 250 Duke
- 249.07 cc Liquid-Cooled
- 30.57 bhp @ 9250 rpm
- ~31 km/l (Owner Reported)
- 15-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Supermoto ABS + Quickshifter+
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | Dominar 250 | KTM 250 Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 248.77 cc | 249.07 cc |
| Cooling System | Liquid Cooled | Liquid Cooled |
| Max Power | 27 PS @ 8500 rpm | 30.57 bhp @ 9250 rpm |
| Max Torque | 23.5 Nm @ 6500 rpm | 25 Nm @ 7250 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 11.9 : 1 | 12.63 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 72 × 61.1 mm | 72 × 61.1 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2B | BS6 Phase 2B |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Clutch | Assist & Slipper Clutch | Assist & Slipper Clutch |
| Top Speed | ~132 km/h | ~148 km/h |
| Riding Modes | Road, Rain, Sport & Off-Road | Track & Street |
| Quickshifter | No | Yes (Quickshifter+) |
| Ride-by-Wire Throttle | No | Yes |
| Traction Control | Yes | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | 35 km/l | Not Claimed |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 30–32 km/l | ~31 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 13 litres | 15 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 2.6 litres | 3 litres |
| Riding Range | ~416 km | ~465 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Dual Channel ABS | Supermoto ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc – 300 mm | Disc – 320 mm |
| Rear Brake | Disc – 230 mm | Disc – 240 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 100/80-17 / 130/70-17 | 110/70-R17 / 150/60-R17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | 37 mm USD Fork (135 mm travel) | WP APEX USD Forks, 43 mm |
| Rear Suspension | Nitrox Monoshock (multi-step adj.) | WP APEX Monoshock (10-step preload) |
| Chassis | Beam-Type Perimeter Frame | Split-Trellis Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 180 kg | 162.8 kg |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 157 mm | 176 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1453 mm | 1370 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | 2156 × 836 × 1112 mm | NA |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | LCD Display | 5" TFT Display |
| Headlight | LED Headlamp | Dual LED Headlamp |
| DRLs | Yes | Yes |
| Turn Signals | LED | LED |
| Hazard Warning Lights | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | Yes (Front) | Yes |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹1,78,273 | ₹2,17,445 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 1 |
| Standard Warranty | 5 Years / 75,000 km | 2 Years / 30,000 km |
★ Green highlights indicate the stronger value in each row. Prices are ex-showroom India averages and may vary by city.
Variant-wise Price Comparison
All variants laid out — find the right one for your budget
Bajaj Dominar 250 Variants
KTM 250 Duke Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- ₹39,172 less expensive than KTM 250 Duke
- ARAI-certified 35 km/l mileage
- Outstanding 5-year / 75,000 km warranty
- 4 riding modes — Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road
- Traction control included as standard
- Touring-friendly ergonomics for long rides
- Longer wheelbase (1453 mm) for highway stability
- Assist & slipper clutch for comfort on long rides
- Wide Bajaj service network, lower running costs
Cons
- Lower peak power (27 PS vs 30.57 bhp)
- Heavy at 180 kg — 17 kg more than KTM
- Basic LCD display vs 5" TFT on KTM
- No Quickshifter or ride-by-wire throttle
- Lower ground clearance (157 mm vs 176 mm)
- No hazard warning lights
- Smaller front disc (300 mm vs 320 mm)
- Lower top speed (~132 km/h vs ~148 km/h)
Pros
- More power — 30.57 bhp vs 27 PS
- Premium WP APEX 43 mm USD forks
- 5-inch TFT display with full connectivity
- Quickshifter+ for clutchless gear changes
- Ride-by-wire throttle for precise delivery
- Higher ground clearance (176 mm vs 157 mm)
- Larger 320 mm front disc & 240 mm rear disc
- Supermoto ABS with rear wheel lift capability
- Lighter at 162.8 kg — sharper handling dynamics
- Larger 15-litre fuel tank & greater riding range (~465 km)
- Hazard warning lights included
Cons
- ₹39,172 more expensive
- No ARAI mileage claim (~31 km/l owner reported)
- Shorter warranty (2 years vs 5 years)
- No traction control despite premium pricing
- Stiff suspension uncomfortable on city potholes
- Higher maintenance costs
- Aggressive posture not ideal for long-distance touring
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
Both use liquid-cooled, 4-valve single-cylinder engines with identical bore and stroke (72 × 61.1 mm). The KTM 250 Duke extracts more — 30.57 bhp at a higher 9250 rpm — thanks to its higher 12.63:1 compression, ride-by-wire throttle and Quickshifter+. The Dominar 250 produces 27 PS in a more relaxed, torque-biased tune suited for real-world riding and touring.
Riding Purpose & Style
The Dominar 250's longer wheelbase (1453 mm vs 1370 mm), heavier build (180 kg), and touring ergonomics make it a confident highway cruiser. The KTM 250 Duke's lightweight split-trellis frame, WP APEX suspension, and aggressive geometry make it a precision city and weekend canyon weapon — two fundamentally different riding propositions.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Dominar 250 holds an ARAI-certified 35 km/l versus the KTM's owner-reported ~31 km/l with no official claim. However, the KTM's larger 15-litre tank gives it a theoretical range of ~465 km — ahead of the Dominar's ~416 km from its 13-litre tank. Both are closely matched in real-world fuel burn.
Safety & Electronics
An interesting split: the Dominar 250 wins on traction control and 4 riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Off-Road) versus the KTM's 2 modes. The KTM wins on braking hardware — 320 mm front disc (vs 300 mm), 240 mm rear (vs 230 mm), and Supermoto ABS that allows controlled rear wheel lift.
Warranty & Ownership
The Dominar 250 offers a class-leading 5-year / 75,000 km warranty versus the KTM's 2-year / 30,000 km. Bajaj's denser service network also means significantly lower maintenance costs and easier access to servicing — a meaningful long-term advantage.
Price & Value
The Dominar 250 at ₹1,78,273 is ₹39,172 less than the KTM 250 Duke at ₹2,17,445. The Dominar further justifies its price with traction control, 4 riding modes, and a 5-year warranty — all unavailable on the pricier KTM.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the Bajaj Dominar 250 if…
- You want a touring-ready 250cc motorcycle
- Long highway rides are your primary use case
- Warranty coverage and low running costs matter
- You want 4 riding modes and traction control at this price
- Budget is a priority — saves ₹39,172 over KTM
- You prefer a more upright, comfortable posture
Buy the KTM 250 Duke if…
- You want maximum performance from a 250cc engine
- Premium WP APEX suspension & sharp handling matter
- TFT display, Quickshifter+, and ride-by-wire are priorities
- You enjoy aggressive, sporty riding on weekends
- Lightweight feel and nimble dynamics are non-negotiable
- You're comfortable with higher upfront and running costs
Overall Winner for Most Riders: Bajaj Dominar 250. At ₹39,172 less than the KTM 250 Duke, the Dominar 250 delivers a surprisingly feature-rich package — traction control, 4 riding modes, a class-leading 5-year warranty, ARAI-certified mileage, and touring-ready comfort that the KTM simply cannot match. Choose the KTM 250 Duke if raw performance, premium suspension hardware, TFT display and Quickshifter+ are your priorities — it is undeniably the better sporting machine. But for the majority of Indian riders seeking the best all-round value in the 250cc segment, the Dominar 250 is the smarter buy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The Bajaj Dominar 250 is better for most buyers who want value, touring comfort, traction control, 4 riding modes, and an exceptional 5-year warranty at a lower price. The KTM 250 Duke is better for performance enthusiasts who want more power (30.57 bhp vs 27 PS), WP APEX suspension, a TFT display, and Quickshifter+ for a more exciting sporty riding experience.
The Bajaj Dominar 250 is priced at ₹1,78,273 while the KTM 250 Duke costs ₹2,17,445 ex-showroom — a difference of approximately ₹39,172. Both prices are for India and may vary by city. Notably, the less expensive Dominar 250 offers a significantly better 5-year warranty compared to the KTM's 2-year coverage.
The Bajaj Dominar 250 has an ARAI-certified mileage of 35 km/l, with real-world figures of around 30–32 km/l. The KTM 250 Duke delivers an owner-reported ~31 km/l with no official ARAI figure. In real-world use the two bikes are closely matched, but the Dominar has the advantage of a verified ARAI certification.
The KTM 250 Duke makes more power at 30.57 bhp @ 9250 rpm compared to the Bajaj Dominar 250's 27 PS @ 8500 rpm. The KTM also produces more torque (25 Nm vs 23.5 Nm) and has a higher top speed of ~148 km/h versus ~132 km/h. Interestingly, both engines share identical bore and stroke dimensions, but the KTM extracts more power through higher compression and ride-by-wire.
The Bajaj Dominar 250 offers a significantly better warranty of 5 years or 75,000 km compared to the KTM 250 Duke's 2 years or 30,000 km. This is a major advantage for the Dominar 250 — especially given that it is also the more affordable option. The longer warranty considerably reduces long-term ownership risk and repair costs.
Yes — the Bajaj Dominar 250 is specifically designed with touring in mind. Its longer 1453 mm wheelbase (vs KTM's 1370 mm), heavier 180 kg build, wide seat, and upright ergonomics make it a very stable and comfortable highway companion. The 4 riding modes including Rain and Sport modes, traction control, and the assist and slipper clutch all add to long-ride confidence. The KTM 250 Duke, in contrast, is better suited for shorter, more aggressive rides.