KTM 250 Duke vs Kawasaki Z1000
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
KTM 250 Duke vs Kawasaki Z1000. KTM 250 Duke: 30 hp @ 9,000 rpm hp, ~149 kg (329 lbs) weight, top speed ~140 km/h (87 mph), Motoryk rating 8.0/10. Kawasaki Z1000: 142 hp @ 10,000 rpm hp, 235 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 225 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.8/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
KTM 250 Duke
Kawasaki Z1000
Horsepower (hp)
30 hp
142 hp
Torque (Nm)
24 Nm
111 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
140 km/h
225 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
149 kg
235 kg
Type
Naked
Naked
Horsepower
30 hp @ 9,000 rpm
142 hp @ 10,000 rpm
Torque
24 Nm @ 7,500 rpm
111 Nm @ 7,300 rpm
Top Speed
~140 km/h (87 mph)
225 km/h
Weight
~149 kg (329 lbs)
235 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
—
6.5–7.5 L/100km (typical real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
KTM 250 Duke
8.0/10
"The best 250 chassis money can buy, maintenance demands included."
Pros
+Razor-sharp chassis dynamics
+Addictive high-revving engine
+Premium components throughout
Cons
−Expensive dealership servicing
−Vibration above 7,000rpm
−Suspension wears prematurely
Kawasaki Z1000
7.8/10
"Raw, uncompromising supernaked that rewards confident, experienced riders enormously."
Pros
+Brutal, characterful inline-four engine
+Aggressive styling still turns heads
+Sharp, communicative chassis
Cons
−Highway comfort genuinely poor
−Valve checks get expensive fast
−Drop damage very common used
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
