At a Glance
Key differences that define each motorcycle
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
Suzuki Gixxer 250
- 249 cc Oil-Cooled
- 26.5 PS @ 9300 rpm
- 38 km/l (ARAI Certified)
- 12-litre tank
- 1 variant available
- Dual-channel ABS (standard)
Full Specification Comparison
Every number that matters — side by side
| Specification | KTM 250 Duke | Suzuki Gixxer 250 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine & Performance | ||
| Displacement | 249.07 cc | 249 cc |
| Cooling System | Liquid Cooled | Oil Cooled |
| Max Power | 30.57 bhp @ 9250 rpm | 26.5 PS @ 9300 rpm |
| Max Torque | 25 Nm @ 7250 rpm | 22.2 Nm @ 7300 rpm |
| Valves per Cylinder | 4 | 4 |
| Compression Ratio | 12.63 : 1 | 10.7 : 1 |
| Bore × Stroke | 72 × 61.1 mm | 76 × 54.9 mm |
| Emission Standard | BS6 Phase 2B | BS6 |
| Transmission | 6-Speed Manual | 6-Speed Manual |
| Clutch | Assist & Slipper Clutch | Wet Multiplate |
| Top Speed | ~148 km/h | ~140 km/h |
| Riding Modes | Track & Street | No |
| Quickshifter | Yes (Quickshifter+) | No |
| Ride-by-Wire Throttle | Yes | No |
| Fuel & Range | ||
| Mileage (ARAI) | Not Claimed | 38 km/l |
| Mileage (Real-world) | ~31 km/l | ~35–37 km/l |
| Fuel Tank | 15 litres | 12 litres |
| Reserve Capacity | 3 litres | 2.4 litres |
| Riding Range | ~465 km | ~456 km |
| Brakes & Wheels | ||
| Braking System | Supermoto ABS | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc – 320 mm | Disc – 300 mm |
| Rear Brake | Disc – 240 mm | Disc – 220 mm |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Tyre Size (F / R) | 110/70-R17 / 150/60-R17 | 110/70-R17 / 150/60-R17 |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy (Cast) |
| Suspension & Chassis | ||
| Front Suspension | WP APEX USD Forks, 43 mm | Telescopic |
| Rear Suspension | WP APEX Monoshock (10-step preload) | Swing Arm |
| Chassis | Split-Trellis Frame | Diamond Frame |
| Rear Preload Adjuster | Yes | Yes |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Kerb Weight | 162.8 kg | 156 kg |
| Seat Height | 800 mm | 800 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 176 mm | 165 mm |
| Wheelbase | 1370 mm | 1340 mm |
| Overall L × W × H | NA | 2010 × 805 × 1035 mm |
| Features & Electronics | ||
| Instrument Console | 5" TFT Display | Fully Digital |
| Headlight | Dual LED Headlamp | LED |
| DRLs | Yes | No |
| Turn Signals | LED | Halogen Bulb |
| Hazard Warning Lights | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Yes | Yes |
| USB Charging Port | Yes | No |
| Gear Indicator | Yes | Yes |
| Traction Control | No | No |
| Keyless Ignition | No | No |
| Price & Warranty | ||
| Starting Price (ex-showroom) | ₹2,17,445 | ₹1,83,994 |
| Number of Variants | 1 | 1 |
| Standard Warranty | 2 Years / 30,000 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
KTM 250 Duke Variants
Suzuki Gixxer 250 Variants
Pros & Cons
Honest strengths and weaknesses of each bike
Pros
- Significantly more power — 30.57 bhp vs 26.5 PS
- Premium WP APEX USD forks (43 mm) vs basic telescopic
- 5-inch TFT display with richer information
- Quickshifter+ for clutchless gear changes
- Ride-by-wire throttle for precise power delivery
- Larger 320 mm front disc and 240 mm rear disc
- Supermoto ABS allows rear wheel lift when braking hard
- Higher ground clearance (176 mm vs 165 mm)
- Track & Street riding modes
- DRLs, LED turn signals, hazard warning lights
- USB charging port included
- Larger 15-litre fuel tank
Cons
- Higher price — ₹33,451 more than Gixxer 250
- Lower fuel efficiency (~31 km/l vs 38 km/l ARAI)
- Heavier at 162.8 kg vs 156 kg
- Stiff suspension uncomfortable on city roads
- No traction control despite premium positioning
- Higher maintenance costs
Pros
- ARAI-certified mileage of 38 km/l
- Lighter at 156 kg — more nimble in city traffic
- Lower price by ₹33,451
- Smoother, more refined engine character
- Comfortable suspension suited for Indian roads
- Suzuki reliability and low maintenance costs
- Dual-channel ABS as standard
- Wider service network across India
Cons
- Lower peak power (26.5 PS vs 30.57 bhp)
- Basic telescopic forks — no USD front suspension
- Basic digital console vs TFT on KTM
- No Quickshifter, ride modes, or ride-by-wire
- Halogen turn signals (not LED)
- No DRLs or hazard warning lights
- No USB charging port
- Smaller 12-litre tank
Key Differences Explained
What really sets these two bikes apart
Engine Character
The KTM 250 Duke's liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine with ride-by-wire produces 30.57 bhp — tuned for excitement and high-rpm thrills. The Suzuki Gixxer 250's oil-cooled, 4-valve unit produces 26.5 PS, prioritising smoothness and refinement over peak performance. Both share a 6-speed gearbox, but only the KTM adds a Quickshifter+ for clutchless shifts.
Fuel Efficiency & Range
The Suzuki Gixxer 250 leads with an ARAI-certified 38 km/l — one of the best in its class — versus the KTM's owner-reported ~31 km/l. Despite its smaller 12-litre tank, the Gixxer's range of ~456 km is comparable to the Duke's ~465 km from its larger 15-litre tank, thanks to the efficiency advantage.
Braking & Safety
The KTM 250 Duke gets a larger 320 mm front disc (vs 300 mm) and 240 mm rear disc (vs 220 mm), paired with Supermoto ABS that allows partial rear wheel lift for aggressive riders. The Gixxer 250 has standard dual-channel ABS, which is well-calibrated and confidence-inspiring for daily use. Neither bike offers traction control.
Suspension & Handling
The KTM's WP APEX 43 mm USD forks and split-trellis frame deliver razor-sharp handling and a significantly higher ground clearance of 176 mm. The Gixxer 250 uses conventional telescopic forks on a diamond frame — more compliant and forgiving on patchy Indian roads, but significantly less sporty in dynamic feel.
Price & Value
At ₹1,83,994, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 is ₹33,451 less expensive than the KTM 250 Duke at ₹2,17,445. Both carry an identical 2-year / 30,000 km warranty. For budget-conscious buyers the Gixxer offers compelling value, while the KTM's premium is justified by its substantial hardware and feature advantages.
Features & Technology
The KTM 250 Duke is far ahead on tech — 5-inch TFT display, Quickshifter+, ride-by-wire, Track/Street modes, DRLs, LED turn signals, hazard lights and USB charging. The Gixxer 250 offers a basic digital console, Bluetooth connectivity, no DRLs, halogen turn signals and no USB port — a noticeably more entry-level package.
Expert Verdict
Which one should you actually buy?
Buy the KTM 250 Duke if…
- You want the most powerful 250cc streetfighter in class
- Premium hardware like WP APEX suspension matters to you
- TFT display, Quickshifter+, and ride modes are priorities
- You ride enthusiastically and value high-rpm thrills
- Sharp handling and riding dynamics are non-negotiable
- You're comfortable with higher initial & running costs
Buy the Suzuki Gixxer 250 if…
- Fuel efficiency and low running costs are priorities
- You prefer a smooth, refined engine over raw performance
- Daily commuting comfort matters more than track capability
- You want the lighter, more nimble option (156 kg)
- Budget is a consideration — saves ₹33,451 vs KTM
- You value Suzuki's reliability and service network
Overall Winner for Performance Riders: KTM 250 Duke. With more power, WP APEX premium suspension, a TFT display, Quickshifter+, ride-by-wire, and a significantly larger feature set, the KTM 250 Duke justifies its ₹33,451 premium for riders who want the best 250cc experience. However, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 wins on value and practicality — its ARAI-certified 38 km/l mileage, lighter weight, smoother engine, comfortable suspension, and lower price make it the smarter daily commuter choice. Both share the same warranty. Choose the KTM for thrills; choose the Gixxer for sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered by our experts
The KTM 250 Duke is better for performance-focused riders who want more power (30.57 bhp vs 26.5 PS), premium WP APEX suspension, a 5-inch TFT display, Quickshifter+, and ride-by-wire throttle. The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is better for everyday riders who prioritise fuel efficiency (38 km/l ARAI vs ~31 km/l), a smoother engine character, lighter weight (156 kg vs 162.8 kg), and a lower price (₹1,83,994 vs ₹2,17,445).
The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is priced at ₹1,83,994 while the KTM 250 Duke costs ₹2,17,445 ex-showroom — a difference of approximately ₹33,451. Both prices are for India and may vary by city. Importantly, both bikes carry an identical 2-year / 30,000 km warranty.
The Suzuki Gixxer 250 delivers significantly better fuel efficiency with an ARAI-certified 38 km/l — versus the KTM 250 Duke's owner-reported ~31 km/l with no official ARAI claim. In real-world conditions the Gixxer 250 typically returns 35–37 km/l. For daily commuters, the Gixxer's mileage advantage translates to meaningful fuel savings over time.
The KTM 250 Duke produces 30.57 bhp @ 9250 rpm compared to the Suzuki Gixxer 250's 26.5 PS @ 9300 rpm — a gap of roughly 4 bhp. The KTM also generates more torque (25 Nm vs 22.2 Nm) and has a higher top speed of ~148 km/h vs ~140 km/h. The KTM's liquid-cooled engine with ride-by-wire and Quickshifter+ also delivers a more exciting high-rpm character.
No — the Suzuki Gixxer 250 uses conventional telescopic front forks on a diamond frame chassis. The KTM 250 Duke, in contrast, gets premium WP APEX USD forks (43 mm diameter) paired with a split-trellis frame. This is a key handling differentiator between the two bikes, giving the KTM a noticeably sharper and more planted feel in corners.
The KTM 250 Duke is considerably better equipped — it offers a 5-inch TFT display with Bluetooth, Quickshifter+, ride-by-wire throttle, Track and Street riding modes, DRLs, LED turn signals, hazard warning lights, and a USB charging port. The Suzuki Gixxer 250 has a basic fully digital console, Bluetooth, but no DRLs, halogen turn signals, no hazard lights, no USB port, and no riding modes or Quickshifter.