5 Best Touring Bikes Under Rs 2 Lakh

The best part about motorcycling is the sense of freedom one experiences while riding. Munching miles down the highway with just the hum of the engine accompanying you is one of the most calming experiences in life. These days, manufacturers have also realised the potential of leisure motorcycling and are getting more involved with the riding culture as motorcycles have become more than a mere means of transportation. Here are five apt ones that you can buy for pure motorcycling nirvana. Also read: 5 Most Affordable Faired Motorcycles In India

Bajaj Dominar 400- Price: Rs 1.52 lakh

After Bajaj partnered with KTM, the sales of KTM has skyrocketed despite the relatively premium pricing. This was primarily due to the amount of features the bikes came with at that particular price point. This prompted Bajaj to bring about a home-grown derivative of KTM with similar features at an even more affordable price to entice more budget conscious buyers. In order to achieve this objective, Bajaj chose the 390 Duke’s rev-happy engine and developed a motorcycle with more accessible power down the rev range. Thus, the Dominar 400 was born.

The Dominar 400 comes with a 373.3cc triple-spark, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected SOHC engine which produces 35PS of power at 8000rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6500rpm. Transmission duty is taken care by a 6-speed gearbox. The bike’s beam-type perimeter frame is suspended by 43mm traditional forks up front and a multi-step adjustable monoshock at the rear. In terms of features, the bike gets all-LED lights, split-type digital instrument cluster and optional dual-channel ABS. The fuel tank capacity stands at a modest 13 litres. With the right blend of features and looks and at Rs 1.52 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi for the ABS version), the Dominar 400 is one of the best value-for-money tourers available in the market today. Also read: Bajaj Dominar 400 Review

Mahindra Mojo- Price: Rs 1.73 lakh

Though Mahindra does not have prior experience in developing motorcycles compared to other manufacturers featured here, the Indian bike maker has shown its R&D prowess with the capable Mojo. The Mojo comes with a 295cc liquid-cooled DOHC fuel-injected single cylinder engine which puts out 27.1PS of power at 8000rpm and a healthy 30Nm of torque at 5500rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed transmission. Both combine to make cruising at triple-digit speeds a breeze. At 21 litres, the bike also has the biggest fuel tank capacity in its segment.

The Mojo is equipped with top-notch parts such as inverted forks up front, gas-charged monoshock at the rear, 320mm petal disc for the front wheel, 240mm disc at the rear and Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres for both ends. These features justify its Rs 1.73 lakh price tag (ex-showroom Delhi). The instrument cluster is a combination of analogue and digital units. It also has a top-speed recorder in case you wanted to boast the top speed you achieved (legally, of course) on your journey. The only chink in its armour is the bike’s sub-par braking. Moreover, the bike's unbalanced weight distribution affects low-speed handling. Other than these two issues, the Mojo is a very capable touring machine. Also read: Mahindra Mojo : Detailed Review

Yamaha FZ25- Price: Rs 1.20 lakh

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Yamaha has finally given what the FZ range really deserved - a bigger engine. The FZ 25 is Yamaha’s attempt at making a mark in the populated quarter-litre segment. The brand has blessed the bike with a single-cylinder 249cc, counterbalanced, air and oil-cooled engine which is tuned for optimum torque in the lower end of the rev band. The engine produces 20.9PS of power at 8000rpm and 20Nm of torque at 6000rpm. The bike features a diamond-type frame which ensures agile handling. The suspension duties are taken care by traditional forks at the front and monoshock at the rear. The bike also comes with LED headlamp and taillight which provides good illumination. The instrumentation is all-digital and features instant and average fuel economy, apart from other usual information like speed, dual trip readings, time and fuel level.

The FZ25 with its light weight (148kg kerb), refined engine and a 14-litre fuel tank make it a very potent tourer. It may not be brashly powerful, but at Rs 1.2 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), this budget tourer will help you munch miles without drama. Also read: Yamaha FZ25: First Ride Review

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 - Price: Rs 1.84 Lakh

Royal Enfield has taken the cruiser-centric route while developing the Thunderbird. In its latest iteration, the Thunderbird 500 gets all the modern features that one does not usually expect from Royal Enfield. The biggest USP of the bike is the massive 20-litre fuel tank. Additionally, the bike also comes with a twin-pod instrument cluster with a digital display. The cluster includes an analogue speedometer and tachometer, while the digital display shows two trip meter readings with average speed, fuel level, odometer reading, time, low battery indicator and service indicator - these are extremely useful on long-distance rides. The headlamp is a projector unit while the tail lamp is LED. 

The fuel-injected 499cc block produces about 27.5PS of power at 5250rpm and a peak torque of 41.3Nm that comes in at 4000rpm. The engine is coupled to a long-ratio 5-speed gearbox which makes highway riding a relaxed experience. The only downside is that the bike does not come with ABS and the fact that the maintenance costs are on the higher side. Also, this bike is meant for relaxed touring and not high-speed runs. Stick to under 90kmph and the engine will chug along without any complaints. The Thunderbird 500 is priced at Rs 1.84 lakh, ex-showroom Delhi. Also read: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 : Detailed Review

Royal Enfield Himalayan- Price: Rs 1.60 lakh

The Himalayan from Royal Enfield is a very versatile bike that is at home on both highways and off-road. The bike is powered by a single-cylinder 411cc, fuel-injected, SOHC engine. The engine gives out 24.8PS of power at 6500rpm and 32Nm of torque at 4250rpm. The powerplant is also counterbalanced, which results in a refined ride quality. The ride quality is further enhanced by 41mm front forks with a generous 200mm of travel and a rear monoshock with linkage which offers 180mm of travel. The half duplex split cradle frame has been developed in conjunction with Harris Performance. It aids in the the bike’s handling characteristics. The bike is equipped with a 15-litre fuel tank and the instrument cluster comes with speedometer, tachometer, two trip-meters, gear position indicator and even a digital compass!

The refined engine propels the bike effortlessly at speeds over 100kmph. The ergonomic riding position coupled with the convenient fly-screen results in minimum rider fatigue while doing long-distance rides. However, the bike isn’t exactly known for its build quality, especially at Rs 1.6 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). Royal Enfield could definitely work on that department. Notwithstanding, the Himalayan is a well-balanced motorcycle that could do both terrain-taming and highway munching at ease. Also read: Royal Enfield Himalayan : Detailed Review