KTM 125 Duke vs Honda CB300R
Specs side by side, plus our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
The KTM 125 Duke and Honda CB300R are among the most cross-shopped naked bikes of 2026. They land within touching distance on price, so this comes down to character and fit. On paper the Honda CB300R leads on power with 31 hp. Below we put them head to head on price, performance, weight and seat height, then give our verdict on which one is the smarter buy for the way you ride.
Our pickKTM
KTM 125 Duke
Honda
Honda CB300RThe verdict
The KTM 125 Duke edges it overall at 8.2/10, but the Honda CB300R wins on most exciting, so let how you ride decide.
KTM 125 Duke
A2-legal, 15 hp, forgiving to learn on.
Honda CB300R
31 hp and 0.22 hp/kg, the strongest here.
Honda CB300R
Our 7.8/10 at $5,149, the most bike per dollar.
Honda CB300R
143 kg with an 803 mm seat, the easiest to throw around.
KTM 125 Duke
Our top score in this matchup at 8.2/10.
Cyan marks the best figure in each row. Specs are the most-cited for the current model; verify before relying on them.
Still torn between them?
Answer a few questions and we'll rank every bike by how well it fits you.
KTM 125 Duke vs Honda CB300R: your questions answered
Which is faster, the KTM 125 Duke or the Honda CB300R?
The Honda CB300R makes the most power at 31 hp and 27.5 Nm, giving it the edge on outright performance.
Which is cheaper, the KTM 125 Duke or the Honda CB300R?
The Honda CB300R is the most affordable here with an MSRP around $5,149.
Which is lighter, the KTM 125 Duke or the Honda CB300R?
The Honda CB300R is the lightest at 143 kg, which makes it the easiest to manage at low speed and in the bends.
Which is better for a beginner, the KTM 125 Duke or the Honda CB300R?
For a new rider we'd point to the KTM 125 Duke: A2-legal, 15 hp and 159 kg make it the most approachable of the group.
