KTM Duke 250 vs Husqvarna Vitpilen 250: Comparing Specs, Features, and Price in Nepal
3rd October 2020, Kathmandu
Every time a bike manufacturer launches a new product, it goes into direct competition with the best in the segment. The story is no different here. The launch of Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 in Nepal challenges the best in-the-segment, the KTM Duke 250!
Let’s compare both these machines from their core specs, features, and their price in Nepal!
Overview
Husqvarna’s Vitpilen 250 does look very different from its rival Duke 250. The Duke 250 looks very colorful, young, and trendy. On the other hand, Vitpilen 250 looks very calm, mature, and elegant. Also, Vitpilen 250 (also known as the ‘White Arrow’) looks futuristic!
So are we comparing the two machines just based on their 250cc displacement?
Well, it’s time to look closer. There’s more than meets the eyes!
Technical Specifications
| Specifications | KTM Duke 250 | Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 |
| Displacement (cc) | 248.8cc | 248.76cc |
| Max Power | 29.6 bhp @ 9000 rpm | 29.6 bhp @ 9000 rpm |
| Max Torque | 24 Nm @ 7500 rpm | 24 Nm @ 7500 rpm |
| Emission Standard | BS 6 | BS 6 |
| Transmission | 6 Speed Gear Box | 6 Speed Gear Box |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.5 liters | 9.5 liters |
| Front Tyre | 110 / 70 – 17 | 110 / 70 – 17 |
| Rear Tyre | 150 / 60 – 17 | 150 / 60 – 17 |
| Kerb Weight | 169 kg | 166 kg |
| Seat Height | 820mm | 835mm |
The Vitpilen 250 and the Duke 250 look different. But that’s where the differences end and the similarities begin!
The Swedish motorcycle makers have borrowed the Duke 250’s engine and placed it in the Vitpilen 250. Yes, that is correct. Even the engine tuning is very similar.
That’s why when you look at the max power and torque, they are perfectly identical. 29 bhp @ 9000 rpm is the max power and 24 Nm @ 7500 rpm is the max torque for both these 250cc title holders.
Duke 250 has been in the market for a while now. Its design is recognizable and we are used to seeing the naked orange, black, and white all over the streets. The Vitipilen, on the other hand, looks very futuristic with its round LED headlamps and metallic body paint.
Features
When we say that the insides of these bikes are exactly the same but the outsides say otherwise, how does that feel?
Is the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 any different from the KTM Duke 250? Yes, it is. Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 is choosing to niche as a cafe racer and a tourer. And that is where they stand their own grounds.
The 250 Duke is a racer. It’s a street’s lord.
The 250 Vitpilen is more a cafe racer (with the clip-on handlebar) and it’s another version (the 250 Svartpilen) is a touring arrow (with the straight-up handlebar).
The Vitpilen’s round digital console looks neatly placed. It discloses gear indicators, fuel indicator, engine indicator, ABS display, has 3 riding options, and has a digital clock.
Also, the Svartpilen 250 (the touring motorbike) gets a utility hook on the tank. With this, you can hook your bags while riding longer road trips!
The 250 Duke and the Vitpilen 250 both have road tyres. However, the Svartpilen comes with an offroad and on-road dual-purpose tyres.
If we look at the console on the Duke 250, it shapes a different reading but gives us the exact information.
The Duke 250’s fuel tank capacity is 13.5 liters, which is 4 liters more than Vitpilen 250s 9.5 liters!
Price
In many ways riding Vitpilen 250 will feel like riding a Duke 250. Will the price also feel the same? Let’s find out!
The price of KTM DUKE 250 in Nepal is Rs 6,39,000.
On the other hand, the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 costs Rs 5,60,000 in Nepal.
| Model | Price in Nepal |
| KTM DUKE 250 | NPR 6,39,000 |
| Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 | NPR 5,60,000 |
We suspect that the price of Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 will increase with time and may end up on a similar budget to Duke 250.
Conclusion
So, keep both the bikes at bay and you see two different motors. Ride them, and you will wonder if you’re riding the same bike just with tiny tweaks.
We say go for the Duke 250 if you’re young and want a cool bike for daily commutes. You can opt for the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 and Husqvarna Svartpilen 250 if you’re niching your rides. The price gap of Rs 80,000 may not remain next year!
For more detailed specs and features of Husqvarna Vitpilen, check our suggested reads!
