Top 5 Bikes Worth Considering Under Rs 1 Lakh

  • May 22, 2018
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With a highly competitive motorcycle market spoilt by choice, we list our top 5 picks which tick all the right boxes under the Rs 1 lakh price bracket

 
 
If there’s one thing that the modern automotive industry can boast of, it is choice. The sheer amount of choice that the modern customer can leisurely pick from can sometimes be truly mind-boggling. Instead of making our buying decisions easier, it can only push us deeper into the murky world of spreadsheets, brochures, and long-winded comparison charts.

The same is true for the commuter bikes segment in the country, with manufacturers lately leaning more towards performance-oriented motorcycles that also pay equal emphasis on practicality. To help you zone in to your dream bike easier, we list down the top five bikes you can buy under the Rs 1 lakh ex-showroom price tag.

Bajaj Pulsar NS200:
The Pulsar 200NS has always been one of the top performers in the sub 250ccc segment. After taking a leave of absence to give the AS200 some breathing space, Bajaj reintroduced the bike and rechristened it the Pulsar NS200. It received updates like a BSIV compliant engine, AHO and a smart dual-tone effect that gives the bike a refreshed look.

The street fighter is an all-rounder in every sense of the word - offering more grunt, better braking power and well balanced ergos which can tackle your daily commutes, highways and the twisties with ease. The Pulsar NS200 offers a very engaging ride experience while also being accessible to a wider range of audience in terms of height. It retains the same 199.5cc, single cylinder, liquid-cooled motor which makes 23.52PS at 9500rpm and 18.3Nm of torque at 8000rpm. It comes mated to a slick 6-speed gearbox.

All in all, if you’re a throttle jockey who’s looking for a tool that performs your daily tasks well while still being able to keep up with your weekend shenanigans without breaking a sweat, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is the bike for you.

Bajaj Avenger 220 Cruise & Street:
Built for those who love to travel long distances, the Avenger brand was first introduced in 2005. The Bajaj Avenger, being the only cruiser in this segment, has been an undisputed champion under the 1 lakh price bracket, ever since. However, having received only engine upgrades over the years, the Avenger was in dire need of a cosmetic overhaul.

Cut to 2018, and with competition coming in from the Suzuki Intruder, the Avenger received some much needed features. This include a new headlight design with LED DRLs, an all-new digital instrument console backlit in blue (Cruise) and orange (Street). In addition to this, it also gets new body graphics, a taller windscreen, new grab rails designed for the Street and a backrest for the Cruise. Overall, the 220 cruise is chrome-laden to give it the classic appeal while the Street gets an all-black treatment which exhibits sportiness.

Mechanically though, the engine remains the same on both variants. It draws power from the same air/oil-cooled, 220cc single-cylinder engine churning out 19.3PS at 8400rpm and peak torque of 17.5 Nm at 7000rpm. It comes mated to a 5-speed transmission. Being the only cruiser in this price bracket, with a much more refined motor offering linear power delivery and ride quality second to none, the Bajaj Avenger makes for an excellent choice, especially with the new features and an aggressive price tag.

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TVS Apache RTR 160 4V:
Right from its inception back in 2006, the first generation Apache became the go to machine for performance junkies across the country. Being pioneers of racing in India, TVS has designed a series of performance-oriented products for the youth from the learnings of the track. After the introduction of the Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS went ahead to introduce the Apache RTR 160 4V, which overwhelmed us all with its sharp handling, segment-leading refinement levels, excellent fit and finish, feature-packed instrument console and aggressive styling at an attractive price point.

Also, having the option of an RTR 160 4V, fueled by a carburetor, helps bring the cost down and makes it easier for customers to hop onto the quickest 160cc motorcycle we have ever tested. The carburetted variant of the 159.7cc, single-cylinder, 4-valve motor produces 16.5PS at 8000rpm and 14.8 Nm of torque at 6500rpm. The RTR 160 4V is one of the best propositions under the 1 lakh price bracket and gets a big thumbs up from our side.


Honda CB Unicorn 150:
Head down Honda’s memory lane and the Unicorn 150 is sure to ring a bell. It’s been Honda’s golden goose since it was launched way back in 2005. The demand was such that customers were willing to pay a premium to get their hands on the remaining units when it was replaced back in 2014. Owing to the high demand, Honda reintroduced the original Unicorn 150 in 2016 with an updated BS-IV compliant engine. Cosmetically the bike remains the same, which is not a bad thing as this is the design that everyone fell in love with. The chunky fuel tank, triple-dial speedo, a large front headlamp unit with the smoked visor, chrome highlights and the extensive use of black to contrast the paint job is what makes the Unicorn tick.

It uses a BS-IV compliant, 149.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled mill that produces 13PS at 8000rpm and 12.8Nm or torque at 5500rpm. The 5-speed gearbox sends power to the rear wheel via a chain drive. Its motor feels smooth and barely emits any vibes in stop-and-go traffic. The seat and rear suspension are slightly on the firmer side, but does a decent job at soaking in bumps on the highway and city roads. The Unicorn is a complete commuter bike that does it all – offers a comfortable ride, feels light and nimble, has a reliable and peppy engine and its suspension tackles pretty much everything the city has to throw at it. Built to last forever, the CB Unicorn 150 is one of the most successful models in Honda’s stable.

Honda CB Shine:
The Honda CB Shine is built on 3 important aspects: ride quality, economic value and reliability. With a market share of over 45 per cent, the Honda CB Shine is the best-selling bike in the highly competitive 125cc segment. Its minimal design appeals to the majority, especially the ones looking for a practical and frugal machine. The Honda CB Shine gets a 125cc, air-cooled engine that produces 10.02PS of power at 7500rpm and 10.3Nm of torque at 5500rpm. So, if you’re looking for a comfortable commuter with excellent fuel-efficiency, the Honda CB Shine is the perfect ride for you.

We would also like to add that if you’re on a tight budget, the Bajaj Discover 125 (Rs 54,650 for Disc) could be the perfect alternative over the CB Shine (Rs. 58,725), both ex-showroom Delhi), as it offers all of the above with more features like a semi-digital cluster and LED DRLs. But since it’s a newly launched product, we need to wait and watch on how it fares on the reliability front.

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