The 10 Most Fuel-Efficient Bikes in India

Fuel efficiency trumps performance in India, where a majority of the motorcycle buyers prefer more kilometres to the litre over outright speed. This has only made the motorcycle makers’ battle for the title of most frugal bike fiercer, with manufacturers laying emphasis on better fuel economy while developing commuter motorcycles, which dominate the market. Hence, fuel efficiency can be called a key determinant for the overall sales graph of these manufacturers, and ultimately their profitability.

Here is the list of top 10 motorcycles (in descending order) presently on sale in India that sip the least amount of fuel and prove pocket-friendly for buyers.
(The mileage figures have been certified by iCAT - International Centre for Automotive Technology and have been obtained in the emission tests. iCAT is a division of NATRIP Implementation Society - NATIS, a body of Government of India)

Let’s have a look.

10. Suzuki Hayate:

This bike received its most recent update in August last year with the addition of a new maintenance-free battery, five-step adjustable rear suspension and tubeless tyres. The 2015 Hayate comes powered by an 112.8cc, four-stroke motor that returns a healthy mileage of 82kmpl. The stylish commuter from Suzuki has been priced at Rs. 54,607 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and its main competitor, TVS Star City Plus, is next on our list.

9. TVS Star City Plus:

This premium 110cc commuter comes powered by a 109.7cc, four-stroke engine and has been blessed with numerous eye-catching features such as an analog-digital instrument console, attractive graphics and a well-designed body. The bike gives a mileage of 83.9kmpl, which suits the needs of the masses quite well. TVS Star City has a starting price of Rs. 44,382 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

8. Mahindra Centuro Series:

Ranked eighth on our list is Mahindra Centuro, which offers a mileage of 85.4kmpl as claimed by the manufacturer. The only commuter left under Mahindra stable that comes equipped with a 106.7cc, four-stroke heart. The Centuro range presently has 5 variants that are available at a starting price of Rs. 43,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

7. Hero HF Series:

Up next is this bike offering a mileage of 88.56kmpl: After Hero & Honda parted ways, the CD range that they had developed together continued to be manufactured by Hero, with its name changed to HF. Along with HF Deluxe and HF Dawn, Hero MotoCorp introduced another new model in the range christened the Deluxe Eco. The bikes are powered by a 97.2cc, four-stroke, air-cooled engine. The HF range starts with the HF Dawn that can be availed at a price of Rs. 39,470 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

6. Honda Dream Series:

This range of motorcycles is the most fuel-efficient offering from Honda in the country, returning fuel consumption of 89.45kmpl. This Dream lineup comprises three machines - CD 110 Dream, Dream Yuga and Dream Neo. They are powered by a 109.19cc, four-stroke engine. The Dream range from Honda starts at Rs. 43,997 (ex-showroom, Delhi) for the Indian market.

5. Bajaj CT 100:

The bike was relaunched in February last year, after Bajaj Auto missed the presence of its best-selling commuter. The updated CT 100 returns a fuel economy of 89.5kmpl as per ARAI reports. It draws its power from a 99.27cc, four-stroke engine mated to a four-speed gearbox. The bike has been priced competitively for the Indian market and costs Rs. 35,034 with spoke wheels and Rs. 38,034 for the alloy-wheeled variant (both prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).

4. Hero Splendor Pro:

The fourth spot is taken by a model that was also facelifted last year and offers a healthy fuel economy of 93.21kmpl. The bike is powered by a 97.2cc, four-stroke engine with a maximum power of 8.2bhp and a peak torque of 8.05Nm. The 2015 Splendor Pro range starts from Rs. 46,850 and ends up on the top variant, which is priced at Rs. 50,100 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).


3. TVS Sport:

TVS Sport claims to offer an incredible mileage of 95kmpl and was relaunched in 2015 with some cosmetic updates, taking the first runner-up spot on our list. The bike comes powered by a 99.77cc, four-stroke Duralife engine mated to a four-speed transmission. The price of a new TVS Sport starts at Rs. 36,880 (ex-showroom, Delhi) and competes with Bajaj CT 100 and Hero Splendor iSmart.

2. Bajaj Platina 100 ES:

Taking the second spot in terms of frugality is a bike that was relaunched with major cosmetic updates in 2015, Bajaj Platina and promises to deliver more smiles per liter by returning an ARAI claimed mileage of 96.9kmpl. The bike comes powered by a 102cc, single-cylinder, four-stroke engine that generates 8.1bhp of power and 8.6Nm of torque. The new Platina is available at the dealerships at a price of Rs. 43,241 for the kick start variant and Rs. 45,252 for the electric start variant (both prices, ex-showroom, Delhi).

1. Hero Splendor iSmart:

The top spot on the list goes to Hero Splendor iSmart which runs on the revolutionary i3s (Idle Start Stop) technology and offers a whopping 102.50kmpl. Hero Splendor iSmart is fitted with a 97.2cc, four-stroke engine that comes mated to a four-speed transmission. The leading fuel-efficient commuter is priced at Rs. 50,000 onwards (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and is available in a wide range of colours to suit the needs of common masses.