KTM 200 Duke 'Street Tracker' review, test ride

We ride a KTM 200 Duke that’s been modified to fit a more Scrambler-like guise.

Published on Mar 30, 2015 06:05:00 PM

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KTM 200 Duke 'Street Tracker' review, test ride

Mechanically, the Street Tracker remains unchanged from the Duke and uses the proven 199.5cc engine. The four-stroke unit produces 24.7bhp at 10,000rpm and 1.9kgm of torque at 8,000rpm. The only after-market modification here is a paper element air-filter.

So, while the Street Tracker is stunning to look at, how does it feel when you get astride and thumb the ignition?

The Street Tracker's grippy, on-off road tyres contribute towards a confident ride, on the road and off it. Rough patches are handled well, the bike never losing grip, even when cornering at sharp angles. Even off the tarmac, it's very easy to actually carve out a ‘track’ on this bike, weaving through trees, chucking up mud.

The raised handlebars result in a more upright posture, quite different from the stock riding position of the Duke. The rider foot-pegs, however, remain the same, placed slightly to the rear. This is a comfortable motorcycle to ride because the seat provided here seems flat but really turns out to feel plush and cushion-like. Ground clearance has increased, thanks to the 18-inch rim up front and a plus-size tyre here too. The minor additions on the chassis and the stock engine's quick responses only serve to aid the bike's newfound off-road capability, perfect for a person who does not wish to limit his ride to the tarmac.

Keyne Wilson believes that modifications should be made so they enhance the rideability of a motorcycle, mostly by means of weight reduction. He also encourages clients to try and retain a bit of the motorcycle's original theme, such as the subtle orange and white paint scheme seen on Street Tracker, with an orange KTM logo onto it.

The modifications carried out on Café Nomad’s KTM 200 Duke cost anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh. It took just about 45 days to finally get the Street Tracker running on the road again.

If you want to get your ride modified by Cafe Nomads, get in touch with Keyne Wilson on 09004790280. Happy customising.