Not-so-cheap Thrills: These 5 Bikes Prove That (Lots Of) Money Can Buy Happiness

There are two-wheelers that are designed for point A to B commutes, and then there are two-wheelers that end up becoming your reason for everything good in life. But more often than not, that comes at a massive cost, quite literally. We’ve shortlisted the top 5 bikes and scooters that will make your heart and soul happy, but are so impossibly expensive that you’re driven to take drastic measures just to experience that one drop of two-wheeled dopamine. As the cliche goes, the easiest way is to sell off your kidney. After all, some might also argue that’s weight reduction 101!

TVS X

Price: Rs 2,49,990 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The TVS X is what happens when TVS’ engineers play Cyberpunk 2077 a lot more than they need to. The e-scooter looks like nothing else on the market. It is fast, nimble, and almost feels like a motorcycle. And if that wasn’t enough, it is also loaded with as much tech as a futuristic EV should be.  That said, all those Akira-vibes come at a cost of over two base iQube variants, which really puts it away from most of the folks’ reach. 

Kawasaki KLX230

Price: Rs 3,30,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Kawasaki KLX230 is an absolute hooligan off-road. Coupled with its light kerb weight, it becomes a formidable trail monster. The bike will go places you can only dream of - whether it's up a mountain or down a valley. It’s the perfect tool to hone your off-roading skills…..unitl you consider its price. The lean green machine costs as much as a twin-cylinder 650cc Royal Enfield bike, making your dreams of trail-taming stay as dreams. But hey, KTM just came up with an offer you simply cannot refuse.

Honda NX500

Price: Rs 5,90,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Honda NX500 is like your dependable friend who is reliable, smooth, and absolutely chill, but has a serious gambling problem. It's a great twin-cylinder motorcycle which is extremely usable, and shines as the jack of all trades. It is also currently the only twin-cylinder adventure bike in the sub-500cc segment. The trademark Honda reliability, fairly affordable spare parts make it an extremely potent touring machine for our Indian roads. But the ‘Honda tax’ that the Japanese brand commands will cost you an arm and a leg, and then the other arm as well. Lets see if that changes with its ultimate rival entering the Indian market soon. 

Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono

Price: Rs 16,50,000 up to Rs 17,50,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Hypermotard 698 Mono will wheelie even if you don’t want to. It is in fact the world’s largest single-cylinder bike (and also the most powerful production single-cylinder motorcycle). The explosive power from the single, coupled with the light weight chassis, long travel suspension and grippy street tyres will make you feel like an Italian gangster who is set to teach Austrian hooligans a lesson.

That said, Ducati’s only single-cylinder bike will also make you wonder what kind of oregano the Italians are smoking. It costs half a lakh rupees more than its elder sibling, the Hypermotard 950 RVE (Rs 16,00,500 ex-showroom, Delhi). The 950 RVE comes with a much bigger, more powerful twin-cylinder 937cc liquid-cooled L-twin engine, all the while having a character that’s as rowdy as the 698 Mono. The math ain’t mathing, Ducati. 

Aprilia RS 660

Price: Rs 17,74,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

This one hits hard! The Aprilia RS 660 is one of the best-looking and the feature-packed middleweight supersport you can get your hands on. It’s peppy, agile, and ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a 650cc sport tourer. But in India, it seems like Aprilia has been chilling with Ducati in the smoking room as the RS 660 is just Rs 76,000 cheaper than a full-blown litre-class bike, the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-10R!

Which of these are you willing to sell your kidney for and how much do you think your kidney is worth? There is a comment section below.