KTM 200 Duke, Yamaha MT-15, or Honda ADV 150?

The motorcycle market here in Malaysia is filled with many fine examples from the most powerful motorcycles to some of the best ones for the price of a Perodua Myvi. But when it comes to numbers and sale figures, you can't beat these budget-friendly bikes. Here are three of the best bikes that you can get under RM15,000. Let's have a closer look at the 2021 KTM 200 Duke, Yamaha MT-15, and Honda ADV 150.

Prices - are they really that wallet-friendly?

Out of the three listed above, the KTM 200 Duke was the latest one to be launched back in March 2021. Priced at RM12,888 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration), the Austrian-based 200cc naked bike offers great rideability for a great price tag. The latest rendition of the KTM 200 Duke comes with a number of enhancements, particularly its more aggressive design and larger 13.4-litre fuel tank.

Moving on to the very hot-selling Yamaha MT-15, the bike was previewed back in September 2020, but its official price was unveiled a month after. Sitting pretty at RM11,998 (excluding insurance, road tax & registration), it's slightly more affordable than the KTM but just as aggressive when it comes to the design department. It might be a baby MT, but it still has Yamaha's 'Master of Torque' design DNA, which is why you'll see a lot of them on the roads today.

The only scooter on the list today comes from Boon Siew Honda - the 2021 Honda ADV 150. It took a while for it to enter the Malaysian market, but this adventure-style scooter was formally introduced back in February with a price tag of RM11,999 (also excluding insurance, road tax & registration). If you're the 'adventure' type with a budget, the Honda ADV 150 should be high up on your list.

Performance - 'twist and go' or 'drop a gear and disappear'?

Just like the name, the KTM 200 Duke is fitted with a 200cc single-cylinder DOHC liquid-cooled engine that produces 26hp and 19.5Nm of torque. It also comes with some branded hardware, such as the WP Suspension package, ByBre brakes (short for 'By Brembo'), single-channel ABS, digital LCD screen, and more. Really not bad at all for under RM13,000.

The Yamaha MT-15 on the other hand comes ready to rock with its 155cc VVA (Variable Valve Actuation) single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 19hp and 14.7Nm of torque. It's a small yet fun naked bike to ride, but you'll also get a six-speed manual transmission enhanced with a slipper/assist clutch. In the 150cc category, only Yamaha offers this particular feature, which makes the RM12,000 price tag even more interesting.

If you prefer something with a bit less hassle, the Honda ADV 150 scooter might suit you better thanks to its 150cc SOHC single-cylinder engine that produces a more modest 14.6hp and 13.8Nm of torque. It might be on the lower side of the graph, but you'll get the 'twist and go' effect via its automatic CVT transmission package. And it comes with Showa suspension and single-channel ABS. Neat.

Equipment - what else do you get?

As stated above, the KTM 200 Duke comes ready with a huge 13.4-litre fuel tank that helps to reduce the number of times you need to stop for fuel in between the rides. A claimed dry weight of just under 130kg might seem lightweight, but the numbers do add up once it's fully fuelled and ready to go with all the necessary oils and lubricants. The brakes on this baby are probably one of the best in its class, especially its front 330mm disc with a ByBre four-piston caliper plus ABS.

The Yamaha MT-15, on the other hand, comes with a 10-litre fuel tank, and when it's fully fuelled and ready to go, it only weighs 133kg which is very light. This makes the bike very agile in the handling department, especially when paired with its 17-inch wheels wrapped with 110/70 front and rear 140/70 rear rubbers. Gold inverted non-adjustable front forks further help with rideability as well as big points for style. The rear shock, of course, is preload-adjustable.

As for the Honda ADV 150, this 133kg scooter is more suited for city riding thanks to its 8-litre fuel tank. But this adventure-style beauty has a huge advantage - a 27.8-litre underseat storage. Your belongings can be safely kept away from the harsh weather conditions and if you choose to 'tapau' any food, the space under the seat will also keep it warm for longer. No need to hang the packed lunches on the handlebar and have them flying around in the wind. Oh, there's also the Honda keyless system and 12V charging socket behind the left side of the front fairing.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your preference. To truly enjoy your next two-wheel purchase, you must first fall in love with the looks before considering everything else (that's only our opinion, but some people take that as a true fact). In all honesty, the power figures and equipment are very important but just remember this saying. "If you can park it and not turn around to admire it before walking away, you bought the wrong one." So, which one is your top pick?