Getting out into the first section of the Chakan test track inside Bajaj Auto's facility, the KTM 125 Duke is intuitively quick to dip into the first set of quick left and right hand corners. And as the next immediate set of tight left and right handers appear, the bike is taut and planted,
and the MRF Revz tyres do a commendable job of gripping the track surface, leaned over or under hard braking, and then I realise how much I had underestimated the baby Duke before setting off from Delhi earlier that morning. Preconceived notions like, "how much performance will a 125 have", "Oh, it's a street bike after all," and "a 125 cc Duke at the end of the day," made me hurriedly pack my riding kit with full street gear - a pair of riding denims, an armoured mesh jacket, and leather touring boots. "After all, Pune is going to be warm during the day," I had thought, while packing.