Every month some or the other automotive brand launches its new bike model on Indian roads. So, choosing the best bike in the market is not as easy as it was during the end of 90s. Let’s take a look at top five bikes that are priced below two lakhs in India.
1. KTM RC 200 2016
Price: Rs. 163,290 (Ex Mumbai)
Engine: 200cc
Power: 26PS
Torque: 19.0Nm
Mileage: 32kmpl Overall
The bike has great build quality, materials used for its fairing is good and there are no rattles which was there in the initial launch. Styling is not great but presentable with excellent finish levels.
The heart of RC 200 lies in its liquid cooled, 4 valve DOHC, single cylinder 199.5cc engine that punches out maximum power of 25PS at 10,000rpm and peak torque of 19.2Nm at 8000rpm. It is a pure sports bike and that means to deliver the performance it uses high revs. Once the bike goes below 6000rpm, lot of gear shifts might be required in order to attain the required acceleration. It is one of the quickest bike in the 200cc segment clocking only 3.8 seconds to reach from 0-60kmph and 9.87 seconds for 0-100kmph. The actual top speed is close to 136kmph which is which is slightly less than RS200.
On city roads RC 200 could easily give mileage of 27kmpl and on highways 38kmpl could be expected out of it.
KTM uses steel trellis configuration for its frame. The front suspension consists for upside down forks and rear is fitted with monoshock absorbers. Due to sports bike like stiffer suspension KTM gets bit uncomfortable at bumpy corners. MRF tyres works well for the bike which gives completely effortless cornering. Due to stiffer make it is not one of the best to take up bad and bumpy roads.
1. KTM 200 Duke
Price: Rs. 146,300 (Ex Mumbai)
Engine: 200cc
Power: 25.2PS
Torque: 19.2Nm
Mileage: 34kmpl Overall
If you are looking for racing genes within a 200cc bike, 200 Duke is probably the best option for you. The bike’s weight is just 129.5 kg, but it offers the perfect combination of first class braking system, high quality components, and sporty looks. KTM 200 Duke offers balanced ride even while on rough roads.
Bike’s real strength is in its steel frame chassis. Suspension is managed with telescopic fork in the front, and alloy swing-arm, mono-shock absorber in the rear which gives stability to the bike and enables it to take up bad and bumpy roads with ease. Bike’s disk brakes in the front and rear are good enough to control the vehicle even when it touches its best speed. You can also opt for ABS variant of this bike.
In actual conditions, this machine offers mileage of 27 kmpl while driving on city roads. The bike offers around 38 kmpl mileage on the highway. Bike’s engine is fitted with liquid cooling system and six speed transmission gearbox. Its fuel tank capacity is 11 liters.
The bike is powered by single cylinder, 4-stroke 199.5cc engine that gives out peak power of 25.2PS at 10,000rpm and maximum torque of 19.2Nm at 8000rpm. It could go from 0-60kmph in just 3.72 seconds with an actual top speed of 132kmph. 300mm front disc and 230mm rear disc brakes gives good stopping power to the bike and stop it from 60-0kmph in just 2 seconds.
2. Yamaha YZF R15
Price: Rs. 123,200 (Ex Mumbai)
Engine: 150cc
Power: 17PS
Torque: 15Nm
Mileage: 40kmpl Overall
YZF R15 version 2 offers better looks and performance compared to version 1. YZF R15 V2 is no doubt an entry-level sports bike that promises more than its price. The bike is powered by 4-stroke liquid cooled, 4 valve SOHC, single cylinder 149.8cc engine with an impressive fuel injection system. Engine generates peak power of 17PS at 8500rpm and maximum torque of 15Nm at 7500rpm. Yamaha bike goes from 0-60kmph in 4.9 seconds and 0-100kmph in 13.70 seconds with a top speed of 124.5 kmph. The others in the segment like RC 200 and RS200 has bigger engine and better figures but again they have bigger and powerful engine too. However, liquid cooled engine in R15 is a gem which allows it to be driven at 100kmph for extended periods without showing the sign or tiredness.
It is a pure sports bike which uses high revs to deliver. R15’s uses twin spar frames made out of pressed steel. The front gets telescopic forks and rear has preload adjustable monoshock which is well integrated to the frame to give a smooth ride on all types of roads. The soft suspension is efficient and never looses control of wheels or springs. The MRF tyres are good and is able to grip road well. Hydraulic single disk brake in the front and rear are good and stops bike when required efficiently.
Being a true and focussed sports bike, R15 is not very comfortable when riding on city roads. The pillion seat is also not that comfortable and looks awkward. The bike is available in four colors, Streaking Cyan, GP Blue, Invincible Black, and Raring Red.
Yamaha YZF R15 is one of the most fuel efficient bike in the sports bike segment. On city roads it could easily go up to 38 km on a litre of petrol and on highways it give a great mileage of 52kmpl.
3. Honda CBR 250R
Price: Rs. 167,675 (Ex Mumbai) Sports Red/Black
Engine: 249cc
Power: 25PS
Torque: 22.9Nm
Mileage: 35kmpl Overall
Sporty cowl, five spoke aluminum cast wheel, instrument panel with silver coating, and separate pillion seat are some of the important features of this bike which differentiates CBR 250R from other bikes.
The bike is powered by Honda’s 250cc engine. Its disc brakes in the front and rear, combined with the anti-lock braking system, are perfect to control this monster while in city areas and on highways. Pillion grab-rail assures comfortable ride for pillion passenger as well.
Bike lovers prefer this bike due to its ride quality, style, and performance. CBR 250R’s telescopic front suspension and pre-load adjustable rear suspension system play an important role in offering smooth ride.
CBR 250R fuel tank capacity is 13 liters and it offers overall mileage of around 30 to 35 KMPL.
Sports red, black, and pearl sunbeam white are some of the color options available. The bike comes with price tag of around Rs 1.60 lakh to Rs 2 lakh. Price may vary depending on the applicable taxes.
4. Thunderbird TB 500
Price: Rs. 182,348 (Ex Mumbai)
Engine: 499cc
Power: 27.6PS
Torque: 41.3Nm
Mileage: 30kmpl Overall
Do you belong to the group of touring enthusiasts who are willing to spend good amount of money on a stylish bike that weighs 195 kg? If so, TB500 is definitely your cup of tea.
Three striking shades of black, LED tail lamps, digital console, and 20 liters fuel tank can help you recognize this monster when parked with other Royal Enfield bikes. Split seats mean more comfort for pillion passenger as well.
TB 500 is powered by 499 cc air cooled engine. It offers mileage of around 30 KMPL. This monster can easily touch speed of around 90 KMPH on highway.
Bike’s disc brakes in the front and rear may not be able to impress every rider. Telescopic forks manage the front suspension, while gas charged shock absorbers manage rear suspension. Thanks to bike’s 775 mm seat height, this bike is also comfortable for riders with short height.
TB 500 comes with price tag of around Rs 1.82 lakhs. Price may vary depending on state and local taxes.
5. KTM 390 Duke
Price: Rs. 199,700 (Ex Mumbai)
Engine: 373cc
Power: 43.5PS
Torque: 35Nm
Mileage: 30kmpl Overall
Like most of the other KTM bikes, even this bike consists of state of art technology combined with powerful, yet light bike instruments. KTM 390 Duke is powered by single cylinder, 4 stroke 373.2cc engine that gives out peak power of 43.5PS at 9500rpm and peak torque of 35Nm at 7250rpm. Top speed of the bike is 167kmph and it takes 2.7 seconds to go from 0-60kmph. It gives a decent mileage of 25kmpl on city roads and 36kmpl on highways.
Disc brake in the front and floating brake discs in the rear are perfect and gives good stopping power to the bike. WP forks dons front suspension, and WP mono-shock shock absorber is fitted as rear suspension. Both the suspensions are well integrated to the frame to give a near perfect ride on highways and could take up corners effortlessly. Due to stiff nature the imperfections of roads might not be completely absorbed by the suspensions and some would certainly be transferred to the riders.
KTM 390 Duke’s weight is 139 kg. The bike’s fuel tank’s capacity is 11 liters.
Comparison
| 150cc Bikes | KTM 200 Duke Winner | Honda CBR 250R | Yamaha YZF R15 | Thunderbird TB 500 | KTM 390 Duke |
| Engine | Single cylinder Liquid cooled | Single cylinder Liquid cooled | Single cylinder Liquid cooled | Air cooled, single cylinder | Liquid cooled Single cylinder |
| Engine Capacity | 199.5 cc | 269.6 cc | 149.8 cc | 499 cc | 372.2cc |
| Max Power | 24.65BHP | 25BHP | 16.8BHP | 27.2BHP | 44BHP |
| Max Torque | 19.2 Nm | 22.9 Nm | 15.0 Nm | 41.3 Nm | 35.0 Nm |
| Top Speed(kmph) | 136 | 145 | 130 | 130 | 169 |
| Mileage(overall) | 32 | 35 | 38 | 28 | 30 |
| Price(Ex-Mumbai) | 1,46,300 | 1,67,675 | 1,23,200 | 1,82,348 | 1,99,700 |
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