Did an Unlikely Brand Make the Ultimate Entry-Level Street Motorcycle?

The words Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen may not mean much to you, but every moto enthusiast knows KTM.

Named for its founder, his (later) business partner and the Austrian town it calls home, the brand has been producing tough, distinctive motorcycles since 1934.

KTM

Though it has been struggling financially of late, a recent takeover by India’s Bajaj is keeping the name afloat. 

And while it’s better known for its offroad bikes, KTM has sold nearly as many street motorcycles, which is why it should not be so surprising that an unsung hero of their lineup could be the perfect entry-level bike.

I’m talking about the 250 Duke, which offers a pretty compelling combo of approachability, affordability and naked street style.

Sized for success

When I got my license and started riding seriously about a decade ago, I had my share of ups and downs. While it didn’t help that I was learning to ride in the pressure cooker of New York City, the biggest hurdle was probably the fact that my bike was a bit too big.

It’s a 2014 Triumph Bonneville T-100 with an 865cc engine and a wet weight of 495 pounds. These days that feels small to me, but I was fresh off getting my license on a little 250cc Suzuki bike.

KTM

My situation is not uncommon, particularly in America, where small-displacement bikes are not so widely promoted and distributed as they are in other places such as Asia and India.

Case in point: Harley-Davidson’s Riding Academy typically trains riders on the X350 and X440, yet once you actually get your license, the smallest, most affordable bike Harley offers you (at a discount, no less) is the Nightster.

KTM

In fairness, that will change next year, and this cruiser does offer an extremely approachable seat height of 27.1 inches. But otherwise, it’s a $9,999 motorcycle with an engine more than twice as big, plus a wet weight of 481 pounds and a nearly 61-inch wheelbase. 

That’s where KTM’s smallest street bike comes in. At 364 pounds, with a ~53-inch wheelbase, narrow waist and 31.4-inch seat height, the 250 Duke is much closer in size to what most of us learn on, dramatically easing the transition from the parking lot to the road.

Scrappy AF

On those grounds alone, this bike is pretty compelling for newer riders and even seasoned vets. But at just $4,599, it’s got a lot of other factors in its favor too.

At the heart of the steel trellis main frame and aluminum subframe, the engine is a liquid-cooled 249cc single-cylinder 4-stroke making 31 hp and 25Nm of torque. Not huge numbers, I admit, but plenty for urban hijinks and rural twisties, especially considering its other specs.

KTM

Helping to keep the ride safe and comfortable are a 320mm front brake disc, 240mm rear brake disc, plus a natural upright riding position and 150mm (nearly six inches) of front and rear suspension travel.

Despite the low price, this bike doesn’t suffer from a lack of modern features, either. Like the larger Dukes, it comes complete with a 5-inch LCD dashboard controlled via switch cubes and pairable with a smartphone, enabling you to rock out, take calls and head in the right direction via turn-by-turn navigation.

KTM

As someone who is glad to have survived many nights riding dark roads where the car behind me provided the main source of path illumination, I’d also say the 250 Duke’s power front and rear LED lights are also most welcome.

Last but not least are the looks. While the orange accents might not be for everyone, the Duke’s bold, aggressive naked streetfighter style is sure to turn heads. I know because I just saw one on the street, and that’s exactly what mine did.

Availability and pricing

The 2025 KTM 250 Duke is available now starting at $4,599.

KTM

2025 KTM 250 Duke

• Starts at $4,599

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