Best Indian Motorcycles Under 2 Lakhs

Four wheels move the body, two wheels move the soul

Contrary to popular belief, our vehicles serve more than their intended purpose of moving us from one place to the other. Your vehicle is a prized possession, a memento of your achievement, and an extension of your personality. While a car is a mark of success, a motorcycle is a sign of liberation and rebellion. Open roads, scenic views, and you and your motorcycle on a long refreshing ride, sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Not just thrilling on highways, a motorcycle is much more practical for the solo city commute. It saves you time and fuel and has less carbon footprint than a four-wheeler. In a densely populated country like India, motorcycles are a primary mode of transportation for many individuals. Your weekend strolls, office commute or just a romantic ride with your loved one, your bike covers everything for you and stays with you like a true companion. The biggest dilemma for any first-time motorcycle owner is choosing the right motorcycle manufacturer and model. One way to resolve this dilemma is by setting a budget, which is the biggest deciding factor. So, we have curated a list of best Indian motorcycles under Rs 2 lakhs to suit the needs and lifestyle of everyone. We have compiled this list based on the type of motorcycle, its usage, popularity and after-sales services, we hope that this will help you make the right decision for your next big purchase.

1. Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Whether it’s the legacy, the road presence or the popularity, Royal Enfield has been the first choice for many aspiring or existing riders. Every Indian boy has at least once dreamt of owning a Royal Enfield. Earlier, RE used to be a matter of acquired taste and skills but with their latest offerings, they are now catering to riders of all segments. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a neo-retro style motorcycle with a refined 349cc, single cylinder, air/oil cooled engine that produces 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm of torque at 4000 RPM, so it is a nimble yet sturdy machine, which is as good in city as it is on the highways. A notable safety feature in this motorcycle is the dual-channel ABS. However, the seat isn’t the most comfortable or pillion friendly so riding it for longer durations can be exhausting. Overall, for an ex-showroom price starting at 1.5 lakhs, it can be the perfect entry level motorcycle in the RE lineup.

2. TVS Ronin

When it comes to pushing the envelope, no motorcycle manufacturer comes close to TVS. This Indian brand is loved by many two-wheeler enthusiasts for their affordable and featured rich offering. TVS has succeeded in creating a fan base with not just motorcycles but also with their scooters. One of their premium but rather underrated motorcycles is Ronin, which is appreciated by motor enthusiasts all around the world. TVS Ronin is another modern-retro motorcycle which is talked about for its distinctive looks and segment best features. The Ronin has a 225.9 cc single-cylinder, oil cooled engine that produces 20.1 bhp and 19.93 nm of torque at 3750 rpm. That’s a decent power delivery considering the starting price point of Rs. 1.35 lakhs (ex-showroom). The list features include single-channel ABS, upside down fork suspension in the front, mono shock with 7 step adjustable preload with an array of connectivity options. The weight distribution of this motorcycle makes it ideal for the city commute with occasional highway strolls.

3. Hero Xpulse 210

The growing enthusiasm of adventure motorcycles in India has let to the emergence of many ADVs. One of the pioneers in that category is XPulse by Hero motocorp. The first XPulse was launched in the year 2019 and since then the motorcycle has gained a massive fanbase. The agility and nimbleness combined with the reliability of Hero, makes XPulse a must have if you are in search of an entry-level ADV. With a 210cc air/oil cooled engine, this beast produces 24.3 bhp and 20.7 nm of torque at 7250 rpm. The tough yet sharp exterior, tall seating stance, buttery smooth engine and responsive suspension setup, makes the bike a head turner. There is no compromise on the safety front either, ranging from switchable single-and dual-channel ABS (base and top variant respectively), slipper assist clutch and advanced breaking tech makes XPulse a perfect opponent not just for off roading but to steer easily through the city traffic. A few shortcomings of the motorcycle, however, are its tall stance, which is not suitable for short riders and lack of a pillion friendly seat. But if you’re looking for a true off-roader with some touring capabilities, and that too at an amazing price of 1.75 Lakhs (ex- showroom), you must consider XPulse 210 without any hesitation.

4. Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS

Since its inception Bajaj Pulsar is redefining motorcycling in India. Launched in the year 2001 with the tagline “Definitely Male”, homage to its punchy engine and unmatched performance. Living to the reputation, the newest iteration of this road king is clearly putting all the benchmarks to shame. The Pulsar 200 NS sports a 199.5CC liquid engine that delivers 24.13 bhp of power and 18.74 nm of torque at 8,000 rpm. Now talking about looks, Pulsars have always been a head turner, and the 200 NS is no different. It’s naked, aggressive and unapologetic, a beast if you’re looking for an outlaw on roads. With features like digital console, dual channel ABS and ride control this street star is not only great in the city traffic, but its comfortable and upright posture also makes it a sporty tourer. The Pulsar retails for 1.82 Lakhs (ex-showroom).

5. KTM RC 200

One controversial and unpopular option among these celebrated machines is KTM RC. The popularity of this Austria born automotive brand is unmatched. KTM bikes are not just topping in performance, but they are also reliable. While the other models in this segment are more liked by the bikers like Duke 160 and Duke 200, KTM RC 200 is an absolute dark horse. Its 199 cc oil cooled engine produces 25 bhp and delivers 19.2 nm torque at 8000 rpm. The biggest deal breaker for this motorcycle is its pricing, at 2.04 Lakhs(ex-showroom) the bike fails to deliver on most fronts. The looks are not something to write about, however, the motorcycle shines on the road. It’s fast, it’s fierce and it’s reliable. The machine’s aggressive stance and agile handling make it a go to if you are starting your sports bike journey.

Buying your first motorcycle is not merely a purchase of a vehicle, it is an investment in your aspiration. A dream that many boys have while growing up and when it finally comes to fruition, it becomes a sign of independence and self-reliance. We hope that you like our list of the motorcycles, if not please share in the comments, your favourite motorcyles.