New KTM 125 Duke spied

HERE’S the best look so far at KTM’s 125 Duke, spotted being tested ahead of its official unveiling this autumn.

The popular 125 has had its biggest restyling since its launch in 2011, with a beefier, triangular headlight and new angular bodywork, including the cowls either side of the tank reaching across the steel trellis frame, and the front mudguard.

The intention is clearly to ape the muscular look of the much bigger 1290 Super Duke R, and the resemblance is clear.

Interestingly, since the bigger 390 Duke shares its frame and styling with the 125, it’s likely to receive the same revamp, although that hasn’t been spotted yet.

The single front brake disc with radial-mounted caliper looks slightly bigger than the existing 125 Duke's 300mm one. As on the current bike, Bosch ABS will be standard.

We can also expect a fancy new dash mounted on the handlebar instead of in the headlamp cowling, although we can only see the back of it in this shot.

Expect no significant change to the 15hp 125cc single-cylinder engine except compliance with latest Euro-4 emission limits.

The bike was spotted on test alongside a 800cc parallel-twin Duke as well as the Husqvarna Vitpilen 125, 401 and 701.