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It may get a little confusing to take your pick when the menu has so many options, so we try to clear things out with a list of enthusiast bikes that you can pick up for less than Rs 2 lakh
With the number of high-end bikes in India on the rise, a segment that has also gained popularity is entry-level performance motorcycles. These machines have different capabilities to cater to a variety of tastes, leaving us spoilt for choice.
KTM Duke 200
KTM has become one of the most desirable names in Indian motorcycling and its successful run began with the Duke 200. This light, agile, flick-able, yet affordable naked bike has become a legend among young bikers.
What's interesting is that whether you're looking to use it as a daily commute partner or a racer on the track, the Duke 200 fits the bill just right.
Specs:
Ex-showroom price (Delhi): Rs 1.44 lakh
Pros: Power, technology, design, competitive pricing.
Cons: Short travel range because of small fuel tank, engine heating issues, average ride comfort.
Honda CBR 250R
Yes, the Honda CBR 250R is definitely showing its age. Over the years, Honda hasn't done much for the baby-blade, except give it new colour options, but the fact is, it still offers a strong balance of performance, comfort and reliability.
Many will even dig the VFR1200F-like muscular look. The bike has gained a strong reputation as a capable sport-tourer and comes with ABS as an option too (highly-recommended).
Specs:
Ex-showroom price (Delhi): Rs1.6 lakh to 1.9 lakh
Pros: Engine refinement, fit and finish, safety (ABS).
Cons: Outdated, a little expensive, could do with more power.
Royal Enfield Himalayan
The Himalayan is the new kid on the block and is an affordable adventure-tourer. The bike comes with a host of firsts for Royal Enfield and, apart from being capable of off-roading, it offers good on-road dynamics for highway usage as well. The combination of good ground clearance, a decently refined engine and accessories like panniers and jerry cans help the Himalayan reach out to a widely untapped market, hungry for every day bikes with enough grit for the rough stuff.
Specs:
Ex-showroom price (Delhi): Rs 1.55 lakh
Pros: Better engine refinement than any other Royal Enfield, long gap between service intervals, good off-road capability and is stable on the highways as well.
Cons: Unproven reliability, could do with more power and a 6-speed transmission would have helped improve highway usability.
KTM RC 200
The Duke's faired counterpart makes for some drool-worthy eye-candy, with performance to back it up. The RC200 is among the best track-oriented bikes in this price range. Lighter and slightly more powerful than the Pulsar RS200, the RC200 isn't ideal for every day usage, but can leave you astounded by its abilities when the going gets racy. Just like the Duke, the RC 200 also gets parts like inverted forks, front and rear discs, and light weight alloy wheels.
Specs:
Ex-showroom price (Delhi): INR 1.69 lakh
Pros: Fun track-bike, great pricing and performance, ideal as a secondary bike.
Cons: Minor quality issues, not an everyday bike.
Mahindra Mojo
Mahindra sure took its time developing the Mojo, but it sure turned out well, making it one of the most underrated bikes in India. It was originally supposed to be a crotch rocket, but eventually turned into a sport-tourer. The 300cc engine works well with the cruiser-like fuel tank capacity of 21 litres, while Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres offer good confidence for taking on the twisties. It's not as agile as the Duke or RC, but if you're looking to brag about the big number on your odometer, the Mojo makes a strong case for itself.
Specs:
Ex-showroom price (Delhi): Rs 1.63 lakh
Pros: Amazingly capable tourer, features, price.
Cons: Poor dealership reach, no ABS (even as an option), slightly sluggish handling.
