In contrast to Western countries, bikes carry far more importance than a hobby for Indians. Bikes are the most desirable mode of commute for Indian families, for rides (especially for shorter durations), and fit right into their budget, creating the need to buy. Even today, the majority of households have at least one two-wheeler vehicle.
Which is why the manufacturing companies have understood this need, creating comfortable, feature-packed, and affordable vehicles.
Top 5 Bikes to Buy: Features and Price Explained
Although the two-wheeler market is broad in India, not all bikes are perfect for the Indian family. Some like Hero Splendor Plus, Bajaj Platina 110, and others are highly in demand. Here’s the list of the top 5 bikes with their prices and their features, which buyers may consider to buy: –
1. Hero Splendor Plus
Hero Splendor Plus has a starting price of ₹74,152 and is quite popular among Indian families due to its reliability and high resale value. More importantly, its single long seat is perfect for more than one passenger. Its low seat height accommodates people of shorter height and even children.
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Engine Capacity | 97.2 cc, Air-cooled, 4-stroke, Single cylinder |
| Starting Price | ₹74,152 |
| Kerb Weight | 112 kg |
| Claimed Mileage | 70–80.6 kmpl (ARAI) |
| Gear Box | 4-Speed Manual (Constant Mesh) |
Key Features:-
- i3S technology (idle stop-start)
- Long comfortable seat
- Weighs only 112 kg
- Analogue console
- Halogen light with DRLs
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Pros and Cons List
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| Exceptional Mileage: 65–70 kmp | Lacks disc brake |
| Low Maintenance: Spare parts and servicing are incredibly cheap and available at almost any mechanic. | Dated Design: Features very basic styling, which remains unchanged for decades. |
| Lightweight and easy to handle | Limited Power: Lacks top-end punch; struggles on highways (or at speeds above 75 kmph). |
2. Bajaj Platina 110
The Bajaj Platina 110 is positioned as the more “premium” despite its starting price of ₹69,921. It is famous for its “Comfortec” technology, which allows it to handle rough Indian roads with minimal impact on the rider’s back.
| Feature | Details |
| Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) | ₹69,921 (Drum) to ₹74,200 (ABS Variant) |
| Engine | 115.45 cc, Single-cylinder, Air-cooled |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 70–75 kmpl |
| Top Speed | 90 kmph |
| Gearbox | 4-Speed (Drum) or 5-Speed (ABS variant) |
| Weight | 119 kg (Kerb weight) |
Key Features: –
- ABS (Anti-lock Braking System)
- Comfortec Suspension
- A longer, extra-padded seat
- Digital-Analog Console
- A signature horizontal LED strip above the main headlamp
Pros and Cons List: –
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| Superior Ride Comfort: Best suspension setup in the 110cc category. | Vibrations: The engine vibrates once you cross 75 kmph. |
| Safety Pioneer: Offers ABS safety | Build Quality: Some plastic panels and switchgear feel “budget” compared to Honda or TVS rivals. |
| Excellent Range: With an 11-litre tank and high mileage, you can go nearly 800 km on a full tank. | Dated Styling: While functional, the design remains unchanged over the years |
| Low Ownership Cost: Bajaj’s service network is vast. Spare parts are also affordable. | Resale Value: lower resale value |
3. Bajaj Pulsar N160
The Bajaj Pulsar N160 is a modern street bike, perfect for an Indian family to buy. It is lightweight, with a low, comfortable seat, and other features giving it a sporty look. However, its handlebars are angled ahead, so a new rider might face discomfort as they will have to crouch a little to ride.
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| Feature | Specification Details |
| Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) | ₹1,13,699 (Single Disc) to ₹1,26,290 (USD Fork Variant) |
| Engine | 164.82 cc, Single-cylinder, Oil-cooled, SOHC |
| Power & Torque | 16 PS @ 8750 rpm |
| Braking System | Dual-Channel ABS (Standard on higher variants) |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 45–50 kmpl |
| Kerb Weight | 152 kg |
Top Features: –
- Upside Down (USD) Fork
- Bi-Functional LED Projector Headlamp
- Digital Console with Tech
- Navigation, Bluetooth connectivity for call/SMS alerts, and a gear position indicator.
- USB Charging Port
Pros and Cons List
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| Exceptional Refinement: Vibrations are minimal even at 100 kmph. | Weight: At 152 kg (one of the heavier bikes in the 160cc class). |
| Top-Tier Safety: Dual-channel ABS. | Power Output: Its rivals offer better performance. |
| Premium Handling: The USD forks and rigid chassis make it one of the most “flickable” bikes for city filtering. | Pillion Comfort: The split-seat variant is a bit high and narrow |
| Modern Aesthetics: It has a sharp and aggressive look | Lacks 6th Gear: Like most 160cc bikes, it uses a 5-speed box |
4. Hero Xtreme 125R
The Hero Xtreme 125R price starts at ₹89,000 and offers a “bike-bike” styling. Despite being a 125cc motorcycle, it offers safety features like ABS, which is seen in the 160cc+ ones. It’s mid-weight and perfect for a relaxed journey.
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) | ₹89,000 (IBS) to ₹1.04 Lakh (Dual-Channel ABS) |
| Engine | 124.7 cc, Air-cooled, Single-cylinder (Sprint-EBT) |
| Power & Torque | 11.55 PS @ 8250 rpm |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 60–66 kmpl (One of the best in the segment) |
| Top Speed | 95–100 kmph |
| Kerb Weight | 136 kg |
Key Features: –
- Dual-Channel ABS
- Full LED Lighting
- Digital Console along with Bluetooth connectivity for call/SMS alerts
- USB charging port
- Silencer cover
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Pros and Cons List
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| Safety Leader: Dual-channel ABS | Pillion Comfort: The split-seat is quite high and narrow. |
| Stunning Looks: Has a muscular tank and sharp streetfighter stance. | Highway Performance: The engine feels stressed and vibrates once you cross 85 kmph. |
| Excellent Efficiency: It delivers a high mileage of ~63 kmpl, keeping running costs low. | Basic Console: The instrument cluster looks a bit small and dated compared to others |
| Agile Handling: It’s lightweight with Showa suspension, so it’s easy to flick through heavy city traffic. | No Center Stand |
5. TVS Raider 125
The TVS Raider 125 has a starting price of ₹80,750 and is lightweight, so easy to handle. It has a modern design with body-coloured headlight cowl, a split saddle, an engine cowl, and an aluminium grab rail. Bluetooth connectivity and a Voice Assist function, SMS/call alert, and navigation make it the perfect bike to buy.
| Feature | Specification Details |
| Starting Price (Ex-Showroom) | ₹80,750 (Drum) to ₹96,100 (TFT Dual Disc) |
| Engine | 124.8 cc, Air & Oil Cooled, 3-Valve, Single Cylinder |
| Power & Torque | 11.38 PS @ 7500 rpm | 11.2 Nm @ 6000 rpm |
| Mileage (Real-world) | 55–62 kmpl (Varies by ride mode) |
| 0-60 kmph | 5.9 Seconds (Best-in-class acceleration) |
| Kerb Weight | 123 kg (Very lightweight and agile) |
Key Features: –
- Eco and Power Ride Modes
- Its top variant features a 5-inch color TFT screen with Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Call/SMS alerts, and Voice Assist.
- Under-seat Storage:
- Glide Through Traffic technology
Pros and Cons List:
| Pros (Advantages) | Cons (Disadvantages) |
| Best-in-Class Performance: Its 3-valve engine offers superior mid-range and top-end punch compared to standard commuters. | No Kick Start: Relies entirely on the electric starter |
| Loaded with Tech: Silent start system (ISG) and high-res TFT screen | Build Quality Issues: Users often report that the plastic body panels and switchgear quality aren’t as robust as those of Honda or Hero. |
| Agile & Easy to Ride: Weighsjust 123 kg and low seat height (780mm) makes it easy to ride | No ABS (yet): Raider still uses Synchronized Braking (SBT) instead of Anti-lock Braking. |
| Aggressive Styling: Looks aggressive due to the LED headlamp and muscular tank shrouds | Clunky Gearbox: 5-speed gearbox |
Bajaj Pulsar NS200, Honda Shine, Hero Splendor Plus Xtec, and a few more bikes also have great features, so Indian families can also consider them to buy. Although all of these bikes have great features, the perfect bike depends on the needs of the users.
Notably, before buying, consider the comfort, efficiency, and safety of these bikes.