Top 10 Bikes in India: Celebrating the best in each segment

Interested to know the top 10 bikes in India? Let’s take a quick look at the history of the bikes in the country and which ones, at present, rule the roost.

India witnessed the first set of bikes from the Royal Enfield Company of the United Kingdom factory. These powerful, robust motorbikes got shipped from Great Britain to serve the officers of the British Indian army.

Post Independence, the first commissioned motorcycle was the Bullet 350 ordered for the Indian Army, and in 1955, the company set up a manufacturing plant in Chennai to mass-produce the bikes. Decades after, the Bullet 350 is still among the top 10 bikes in India.

In this article, we list the top 10 bikes in India in different categories and segments. All prices mentioned here are in ex-showroom, Mumbai, unless stated otherwise. Read on to know which bikes made to the list.

Bajaj Pulsar 150

When it comes to India’s top 10 best bikes in India, Bajaj Pulsar 150 features at the top. It is like a lion among all bikes. It isn’t the strongest, neither the fastest, nor the loudest, and certainly not the most affordable or the most economical. But it is still the king!

It is the youth’s favourite bike. It’s the best-selling motorcycle in the 150cc segment. It comes with good power and mileage. And it comes with an affordable price tag of Rs. 109,434.

Powering the bike is a 149.5 cc air-cooled, single-cylinder engine mated to a five-speed gearbox that generates a maximum power of 14 PS or 14 bhp @ 8500 rpm and a peak torque of 13.25 Nm @ 6500 rpm.

It gives a mileage of 50 km/l and can attain a top speed of 115 km/h.

It comes in eight colour options—Pearl White, Sparkle Black, Neon Red, Volcanic Red, Sapphire Blue, Neon Silver, Black Grey and Neon Lime Green. It carries a price tag of Rs. 109,434.

Why Bajaj Pulsar 150 is one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• It is one of the most powerful 150cc motorcycles on sale
• Aesthetic and muscular looks and style
• Modern features and specifications
• Comfortable riding position
• Twin Disc ABS for ultra-safe braking
• Upgraded Frame with 37 mm front forks

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Hero Splendor Plus

Hero Motor Corp’s Splendor series rolled out way back in 1994 when the company was known as Hero Honda. The bike’s engine was made up of Japanese technology, and the bike was a best seller in no time. Over the years, it has undergone many upgrades, and the first Hero Splendor Plus model got launched in 2004.

Now, Hero Splendor Plus is the best-selling motorcycle in all segments and has emerged as the top-selling model in all months of 2021. Among the top 10 best-selling bikes in India, it comes first.

It comes in five variants—Kick with Alloy wheel BS6 priced at Rs. 62,984, Black and Accent priced at Rs. 66,562, Self with Alloy wheel BS6 priced at Rs. 65,397, Self with Alloy wheel and i3S BS6 priced at Rs. 66,575 and 100 Million Edition priced at Rs. 68,369.

The bike gets powered by a 97.2cc four-stroke engine mated to a five-speed gearbox, which churns out a maximum power of 8.02 PS. It gives a mileage of 65 to 81 km/l and can clock a top speed of 87-93 km/h.

It is available in nine colour options—Beetle Red, Black with Sports Red, Black with Purple, Black with Silver, Black with Silver, Matte Shield Gold and Heavy Grey with Green.

Why is Hero Splendor Plus among the top 10 bikes in India?

• One of the most reliable bikes in India
• Best sales volume in all months of 2021
• Great mileage
• It comes in five variants
• Available in nine colour options

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

When a bike gets in continuous production for nearly 90 years, it is evident that there is something special in it. The longest-running iconic motorbike Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is one of the top cruiser bikes in India since 1932.

It comes in two variants—Bullet 350 kickstart version priced at Rs. 133,300 and Bullet 350 electric start version priced at Rs. 160,436.

Powering the bike is a 346cc BS6 engine coupled with a five-speed transmission, which churns out a maximum power of 19.1 bhp and a peak torque of 28 Nm.

It has a fuel efficiency of 35 km/l and a top speed of 110 km/h.

It is available in six colour options—Black, Bullet Silver, Jet Black, Regal Red, Royal Blue and Onyx Black.

Why Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is one of the best bikes in India?

• The Royal Enfield brand
• The most affordable Royal Enfield and one of the most affordable cruisers
• A powerful and torquey engine
• Comfortable riding stance
• Classic style and design
• Solid-body works

Yamaha YZF R15 V3

When it comes to the top 10 sports bikes in India, Yamaha YZF R15 V3 ranks first. It is one of the best-selling bikes in the category. The mid-weight sports bike comes in four colour variants that have different pricing.

The Metallic Red and Thunder Grey variants get priced at Rs. 157,939. The Racing Blue priced Rs. 159,039, while the Dark Knight has a price tag of Rs. 160,039.

Powering the sports motorbike is a 155cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled power mill mated to a six-speed gearbox that produces a maximum power of 18.6 PS @ 10000 rpm and a peak torque of 14.1 Nm @ 8500 rpm.

The motorcycle gives a 40 km/l mileage and can achieve a top speed of 136 km/h.

What makes it one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• Powerful and torquey 155cc engine
• Excellent handling
• Modern instrument console
• Variable Valve Actuation gets integrated with the mill
• A good bike for amateur sport bikers

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

When speaking of bikes, how can one not include street bikes? When it comes to India’s top 10 street bikes, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is the most powerful bike in its class.

It comes in two variants—TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Drum priced at Rs. 1,11,565 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Disc priced at Rs. 1,14,615

Powering the motorcycle is a 159.7cc, oil-cooled BS6 engine coupled to a five-speed transmission that generates a maximum power of 17.63 PS and a peak torque of 14.73 Nm.

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V gives a fuel efficiency of 45-50 km/l. It can sprint from rest to 60 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, 0-100 km/h in only 16 seconds, and attain the full speed of 114 km/h. It also has RTR 160 2V’s ‘Glide Through Technology’.

It is available in three colour options—Knight Black, Racing Red and Metallic Blue.

What makes TVS Apache RTR 160 4V one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• One of the most powerful engines in the 150cc segment
• Attractive design
• Brilliant build quality
• Modern features such as single-channel ABS and fully digital instrument cluster
• Comfortable riding stance
• Good ground clearance
• Decent pricing

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Which is the best adventure touring motorbikes in India? The answer is the Royal Enfield Himalayan, which launched in 2016. Over the last five years, it has set new milestones in the tourer segment.

The tourer comes in three variants—Himalayan Standard priced at Rs 2,02,586, Himalayan Dual Tone priced at Rs 2,05,400 and Himalayan Green and Granite Black priced at Rs 2,09,259.

The motorbike gets powered by a 411 cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled, single overhead camshaft (SOHC) engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. The mill can produce a maximum power of 24.31 PS @ 6500 rpm and a 32 Nm @ 4500 rpm peak torque.

The motorcycle gives a mileage of 39.96 km/l on the highway and 32.04 km/l in the city. It can attain a top speed of 122 to 145 km/h.

It is available in six colour options—Gravel Grey, Lake Blue, Rock Red, Granite Black, Pine Green and Mirage Silver.

What makes it one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• Good power and torque despite meeting BS-VI norms
• High ground clearance
• Excellent suspension
• Good touring and off-roading abilities
• Comfortable riding stance
• It gets fitted with several mounts and carriers, which can carry a wide range of luggage.
• Equipped with modern features such as LED lights and tripper navigation
• Some components feel and look more premium and rugged.

Bajaj CT100

Among the top 10 mileage bikes in India, Bajaj CT100 rules the roost. The entry-level commuter motorbike is made for customers who want a two-wheeler vehicle that is easy to ride, highly fuel-efficient, and needs low maintenance.

It comes in two variants—ES Alloy priced at Rs. 51,802 and KS Alloy priced at Rs. 52,832.

Powering the entry-level commuter bike is a 102cc four-stroke, single-cylinder DTS-i engine, and it can generate a maximum power of 5.81 kW (7.9 PS) @ 7500 rpm and a peak torque of 8.34Nm @ 5500 rpm. The motorcycle gives a 75-80 km/l and can attain a top speed of 90 km/h.

It is available in three colour options—Flame Red, Olive Green and Ebony Black.

What makes CT100 one of the top bikes in India?

• The most fuel-efficient bike in India
• Bajaj’s most affordable bike
• The lightest bike in India
• Low maintenance and running cost
• Good ground clearance of 170 mm

Honda Unicorn BS-VI

When a 160cc displacement bike gives a mileage of nearly 70km/l, it is quite surprising, isn’t it? Equipped with Honda’s fuel-efficient engine technology, the Honda Unicorn BS-VI gives India the best mileage bike in the 150cc segment. It returns a fuel efficiency of 60-65 km/l, which is the highest in its class.

The sporty and dependable commuter motorcycle gets powered by a 162 cc BS6 engine paired with a five-speed gearbox. It generates a maximum power of 12.91 PS @ 7500 rpm and a peak torque of 14 Nm @ 5500 rpm. It also delivers good speed. The bike can achieve a top speed of 101 km/h.

Unicorn BS-VI comes in three colour options—Imperial Red Metallic, Mat Axis Gray Metallic and Pearl Igneous Black. This one of Honda’s highest-selling motorcycles carries a price tag of Rs. 100,593.

Why is Honda Unicorn BS-VI one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• The refined BS-VI engine comes with better fuel efficiency
• Smooth five-speed gearbox
• Low kerb weight for a 160cc bike
• Needs low maintenance

Hero HF Deluxe

The base variant of Hero HF Deluxe, the most affordable bike from Hero MotoCorp’s stable, starts at Rs. 49,989, and the top variant carries a price tag of Rs. 62,441.

It gets powered by a 97.2 cc air-cooled, four-stroke, single-cylinder powertrain that can generate a peak power of 8.02 PS and a maximum torque of 8.05 Nm. It can cover a distance of 65 to 70 km in a litre of petrol.

HF Deluxe comes in six variants—HF 100 priced at Rs. Rs. 49,989, Kick Alloy BS6 priced at Rs. 52,100, Kick Spoke BS6 priced at Rs. 53,100, Self Alloy All Black BS6 priced at Rs. 57,400, Self Alloy BS6 priced at Rs. 61,900 and Self Alloy i3S BS6 priced at Rs. 63,225.

It is available in six colour options—Black, Heavy Grey With Black, Techno Blue, Heavy Grey With Green, Black With Purple and Black With Red.

Why is Hero HF Deluxe one of the top 10 mileage bikes in India?

• The most affordable bike
• Hero Moto Corp’s brand
• Excellent mileage
• Highest variants in the budget
• Decent engine performance

Suzuki Hayabusa

When it comes to the fastest bike in India, Suzuki Hayabusa seals the numero uno spot. All-time favourite India’s superbike gets listed on Suzuki India’s website for Rs. 16,45,526 (ex-showroom Pune) and Rs. 16,45,507 (ex-showroom Thane).

Speaking of the price tag, it may be unaffordable for many. But compared to others in the similar segment, it is highly competitive! But having said that, the bike is the most expensive one on this list.

The superbike gets powered by a 1340 cc, liquid-cooled in-line four-cylinder mill mated to a six-speed manual gearbox that generates max power of 190 PS at 9,700 rpm and peak torque of 150 Nm at 7,000rpm.

Although the speedometer ends at 300 km/h, experts say the bike can easily clock 340 km/h on full throttle. It can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and give a mileage of 18.06 km/l.

What makes Suzuki Hayabusa one of the top 10 bikes in India?

• Its speed, which is the highest among all road-legal bikes
• Its power and torque, which makes it one of the punchy and torquey rides
• Its looks and design, which is unlike anything
• Its braking and suspension, which is as efficient as its engine

Conclusion

Some bikes have great mileage, some have immense power, and others have a substantial load-carrying capacity and can ride on tough terrains. But there is only one proven as the best in each segment. This article covers the best bike in each segment, and thus we have the list of the top 10 bikes in India.

From the best-priced bike (the most affordable one) to the best mileage motorcycle to the fastest and powerful one, a brilliant mix of motorbikes are featured in the list to cater to bike riders’ different needs and expectations.

We hope you enjoyed reading the article, and if you are looking to buy one of the top 10 bikes in India, this provided some value to you.