KTM 250 Duke specifications
KTM · Standard
Top Speed says the 250 borrows nearly all the upgrades found on the updated 390 Duke, including the new chassis, switchgear, suspension and underpinnings. The same source warns that the peaky power comes at the price of tractability: city speeds are not a problem, but you should not expect grunt when pulling from 30-40 mph in sixth gear.
It also compares the ride with the BMW G 310 R, which it calls intuitive and agile thanks to ride-by-wire and a slipper clutch.
KTM 250 Duke
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model year | 2026 |
| Engine | 1-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 249.07cc |
| Bore x stroke | 72x61.2 mm |
| Compression ratio | 12.4:1 |
| Seat height | 800mm |
| Starting MSRP | $4,599 ( Motorcycle.com specs ) |
| Class | Standard |
| Transmission | 6-speed |
| Final drive | 520 X-ring chain |
| Front suspension | WP APEX 43 |
| Front brake | 320mm disc |
| Rear brake | 240mm disc, single-piston floating caliper |
| Wet weight | 165kg (fully fueled) |
| Wheelbase | 1,357mm |
| Front suspension travel | 150mm |
| Rear suspension travel | 150mm |
Wheels on Drive says that if you measure over 6 feet tall, the optional taller seat could ease the discomfort but a test ride should come first.
250 Duke or 390 Duke
The two bikes share a frame, fork, brakes and weight. The KTM lists the same 165 kg fully fueled, the same 320 mm front and 240 mm rear discs and the same 1,357 mm wheelbase. The 250 has a fixed 800 mm seat where the 390 has a dual 820 or 800 mm seat.
The 390 has 150cc more engine and is the more capable highway bike. The 250 is the lower-cost choice for a rider who is license-limited or budget-limited.
250 Duke against the CB300R and CB500F
Honda's CB300R is the closest rival by engine size, and the CB500F is the larger twin.
KTM 250 Duke — specification referenceKTM · Standard
The KTM 250 Duke sits below the 390 Duke as KTM's smallest naked streetfighter: the same steel-trellis frame and 150 mm suspension travel as its larger sibling, with a single-cylinder 249cc liquid-cooled engine tuned for newer riders. KTM lists a 165 kg fully fueled weight and an 800 mm seat, and the bike is unchanged from 2025.
What changed on the 2026 KTM 250 Duke since 2025?
Nothing in the published specifications: engine, chassis and dimensions carried over from the 2025 model.
2026 KTM 250 Duke compared to the 390 Duke
The 250 Duke and 390 Duke share KTM's steel-trellis chassis outright: the same 165kg weight, 1,357mm wheelbase and 150mm of suspension travel appear on both spec pages.
The 249.07cc single here is the smaller of the two engines KTM offers in this shared frame, about 60% less displacement than the 390 Duke's 398.7cc, which makes this the lower-output, lower-midrange-pull option of the pair for a rider who wants this chassis without the larger engine's extra power on tap.
2026 KTM 250 Duke across model years
- Model-year range
- 2025–2026
- Compared editions
- 2
- Specification entries
- 26
- Entries that differ
- 1
- 2026 KTM 250 Duke recalls
- The 1 NHTSA campaign also cover the 390 DUKE , whose page lists them.
2026 KTM 250 Duke questions
Is the KTM 250 Duke good in the city?
Top Speed says city speeds are not a problem. But the peaky power means little grunt when pulling from 30-40 mph in sixth gear, so shift down for overtakes.
Is the KTM 250 Duke seat comfortable for tall riders?
Wheels on Drive says riders over 6 feet may want the optional taller seat, and recommends a test ride first. KTM lists an 800 mm seat.
Honda's CB300R weighs 316 lb at the curb and costs $4,499, and its CB500F is $5,899 at 414 lb. The KTM's 165 kg (364 lb) fully fueled is heavier than the CB300R by about 48 lb, though the Honda's figure is a curb weight with a partial tank. Compare the same weight basis before deciding, and ride both.
Other models in this reference: KTM 250 SX, KTM 150 XC-W.