Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1288475
2020 KTM 200 DUKE R I D E R E V I E W P106 (Right) The 200 will carve through corners nicely, although you'd probably want a lighter rider than Rennie on board. The shock is a bit soft for my liking, and KTM said they lowered the shock internally to attain a one-inch lower seat height than the rest of the world at 31.6 inches. Ergonom- ically speaking, the bars are a bit close together for my frame, but you're not at all cramped and hour-long sessions are no problem—save for the rather tough padding in the seat. Speaking of which, the 200 gets a 3.5-gallon gas tank and, although we didn't get the chance to test this on our quick San Diego ride, KTM says you should get around 240 miles per tank. That's stupendous gas mileage and another little teaser that'll hopefully bring in some new riders. The styling is perfectly in line with the 390, 790, 890 Duke R and 1290 Super Duke R. There're a couple of penny saving differences like the halogen headlight (although it does run an LED Daytime Run- ning Light), and the same basic LCD dash that was featured on previous Dukes like the now sadly gone 690, but overall the 200 is an excellent addition to the family. It remains to be seen whether buyers will flock to the 200 as opposed to just head- ing straight to the 390. The 200's focus is a little narrow, although the price point of $3999, which includes two- channel ABS with KTM's famed supermoto mode, makes for a good argument. Regardless, the KTM 200 Duke has finally arrived in the U.S., and we're all the better for it. CN The shock is a bit soft for my liking, and KTM said they lowered the shock internally to attain a one-inch-lower seat height than the rest of the world at 31.6 inches. Ergonom- ically speaking, the bars are a bit close together for my frame, but you're not at all cramped and hour-long sessions are no problem—save for the rather tough padding in the seat. Speaking of which, the 200 gets a 3.5-gallon gas tank, and although we didn't get the chance to test this on our quick San Diego ride, KTM says you should get around 240 miles per tank. That's stupendous gas mileage and another little teaser that'll hopefully bring in some new riders. The styling is perfectly in line with the 390, 790, 890 Duke R and 1290 Super Duke R. There're a couple of penny saving differences like the halogen headlight (although it does run an LED daytime run- ning light), and the same basic LCD dash that was featured on previous Dukes like the now sadly gone 690, but overall the 200 is an excellent addition to the family. It remains to be seen whether buyers will flock to the 200 as opposed to just head- ing straight to the 390. The 200's focus is a little narrow, although the price point of $3999, which includes two- channel ABS with KTM's famed supermoto mode, makes for a good argument. Regardless, the KTM 200 Duke has finally arrived in the U.S., and we're all the better for it. CN Fans of the old 690 Duke will remember this dash. It's old school but gets the job done.