Duke 200

Looking for a new bike for the wife, so I had the pleasure of taking the Duke 200 for a test ride. This is a seriously good fun little bike. At onlt 139kg fully fuelled it was so easy to throw around. A little vib'y but it easily revs to its 10500 redline. Specs are not too bad for an entry level bike. Full functioning dash with gear indicator, shift light and the usual even the the swith gear illuminates at night. Build quality is typical KTM (built in India remember) and the Akra pipe gave it a decent note. Be a great little commuter but would probably struggle a little on a long haul. Price A$6950 with Akra fitted.
SO the decision now is with the impending introduction of LAMS into WA this will give her the ability to ride the Duke 390 on her current license. But the obvious issue is will KTM bring the 390 into Oz and do we wait 6 months to find out?

Hmm the 390 could be waiting a few months for. I'm sure its a great step up again. I fancy a test on one myself for a laugh.

Do you guys have some new laws regarding who can ride what size bikes coming in then?

It's about to change here again in Jan. To take the full unlimited licence (A) you will need to be 24 now. You can take it at 21 or over if you have at least 2 years on a mid range bike having already passed the A2 test which is max 35Kw or under. You can't take a A2 test until you 19. There is then a A1 for 17 year olds which limits to 125cc. Before that its learner plates and a CBT to just get a 125cc on the road. 16 year olds just allowed to ride 50cc with a CBT. Hope that's clear-ish.

West Oz currently have a 2 tied system restricting you to a 250cc for the first 12 months then you need to resit another license to ride an unlimited bike. The rest of Oz has LAMS (Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme) restricting riders to power to weight ratio of 150kw/tonne or 660cc. So WR450's are in but RG250's are out. WA is finally reverting to this system in January.
Output of the 390 is more than double the 200 at a cost of about $2k extra but the payout for her is that she will not need another bike for quite a while (short legs limits choice).
The 200 kind of has that two stroke feel without the rush. Any 17 year old would be well happy with it.

I'm sure I read that the 390 is coming to Oz.

390 Duke! At a full 44 hp from 375 cc of displacement, it's head and shoulders above its 200 cc sister model, while the chassis has of course been enhanced to cope with the extra oomph. Still, the new 390 Duke weighs in at less than 150 kilograms fully fuelled - not only raising its dynamics above many a higher-capacity bike but also making it a sporty alternative to pricey maxi scooters. The 390 Duke will meet all regulations to be included in the Learner Approved Motorcycle Scheme (LAMS).

That's from KTM australia site.

Had the Duke 200 for 2 days of testing last week, a very nice bike indeed!

You rode it yourself so no need to describe it but I must say that it's quite not the typical KTM build quality.

Well, to be precise, it's good all around but anything that is "rider interface", i.e grips, levers, foot rests, brake and gear pedals - this bike oozes "cheap".
Comparing it to KTM's normal stuff it's just not in line with the Austrians quality standards.
The clutch is very annoying, and after 2500 km's the bike doesn't feel very "fresh". I rode the 125 (which is same) with 7500 km's and it was plain rubbish. Yeah, those 7500 km's were test rides of mostly teens and all but still - it's not holding up like most ktm's. Hopefully the 390 would be more Duke 690 than 200.

Other than that, I think it depends on your wife's experience. The 200 is a PERFECT beginners bike.
It has ample power for street use, it get's to 130+ Km\h on freeways (GPS measured), super light, clutch is good for learners and it's very small.
The 390 would have more power for sure, but I think for an utter novice it might be a bit of a burden at the beginning, whereas the 200 would be the perfect companion, it just can't get you into trouble, even on wet, slippery roads.

I would (and will, when I finish writing my review..) suggest this bike to new riders, particularly ladies. They can rub in on it, have fun, then move on to something bigger.

Some photos from the test:

Nice hooning. I never want pictures of myself behaving badly on a bike, but more power to those of you who do!

I see in Israel they have that utterly stupid rear mudguard rule like we do in Oz.

Is no one doing a tail tidy for it though? You don't have to keep that mudguard in the EU. Do they make you keep it in Aus?

Yep, there's a cop that patrols one of the best riding roads in Brisbane, and he busts everyone for cutting off their mudguards.
The rule is that it must cover the tyre down to a point that is 45 degrees up and back from the rear axle.

Wow they really do bust your balls over there don't they

Nice photos mate!
I wish I had some mad sick photos of myself but I'm not that good.
Keep up the good work and throw us a link to your review when you are done.

Oh and Oz's road rules suck balls big time!

I saw the 125, 200 and 390 at the Bike show.....look exactly the same ....I could not tell them apart