Best Bikes Under Rs 1 Lakh In India

Planning to buy a potent all-rounder for under a lakh rupees? Well, here are our handpicked choices

The advent of emission and safety norms has raised the baseline price of all the two-wheelers in India. But despite all the price hikes, there are a few gems that still retain their value and are perfect for someone who wants a good balance of performance and affordability. Here are our top five picks:

Honda SP 125: Rs 78,607

The Honda SP 125 is the only 125cc commuter in this list. Despite having a smaller engine than the rest of the bikes here, it is loaded to the brim with features. It gets an all-LED headlamp, engine kill switch, and a silent starter for quick and noiseless starts. The engine also features a number of friction reduction technologies for optimum refinement. It ensures a 16 percent better claimed mileage compared to the BS4-compliant CB Shine SP. 

At Rs 78,607, it is an ideal buy for those looking for a feature-packed commuter that is also fuel efficient. Moreover, Honda also offers a three-year standard warranty with an option to add three more years for added peace of mind.

Honda Unicorn: Rs 94,548

The next most affordable motorcycle in this list is the Honda Unicorn BS6, priced at Rs 94,548. It is one of the best no-nonsense commuters built for refinement and reliability. The BS6 version retains the familiar design language but gets a bigger 162.7cc single-cylinder fuel-injected motor, linked to the same 5-speed transmission as before. 

Churning out 12.9PS and 14Nm, the engine should be butter-smooth thanks to the counterbalancer. It also finally gets an engine kill switch for added convenience. All in all, the Honda Unicorn will fit the bill for those who need a reasonably powerful commuter motorcycle that will last for years to come.  

Bajaj Avenger Street 160: Rs 95,891

The Bajaj Avenger Street 160 is the country’s most affordable cruiser at Rs 95,891. Its swanky styling coupled with the low seat height and laidback ergonomics makes it the perfect choice for those who love to hit the highways. It employs a 160cc single-cylinder air-cooled fuel-injected engine, which produces a healthy 15PS of power and 13.7Nm of torque. 

At 737mm, the seat is low enough even for shorter riders to feel comfortable. It is also reasonably light, at 156kg kerb. The only grinch is that the long 1,490mm wheelbase and the raked-out steering might make manoeuvring in congested traffic a little tricky. 

Bajaj Pulsar 150: Rs 97,958

The iconic Bajaj Pulsar 150 is the go-to bike for those who want sportiness and practicality wrapped in a single package. Its styling has remained the same over the years, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing as Pulsar fans love the recognisable design language. The 14PS, 13.25Nm motor might not be as powerful as the Avenger but it is lighter by 8kg, at 148kg kerb. 

The single-piece seat and the raised clip-on handlebars offer a comfortable riding position and the generous 15-litre fuel tank ensures ample range. But at Rs 97,958, it is a little too expensive for a 150cc commuter-oriented motorcycle. 

Hero Xtreme 160R: Rs 99,950

At Rs 99,950, the Hero Xtreme 160R is the sportiest value-for-money bike in this list. It features a tasteful design language with a segment-first all-LED lighting system. The 15.2PS, 14Nm motor coupled with the featherlight weight of 138.5kg ensures it can accelerate from 0-60kmph in 4.7 seconds. The fat 100-section front, 130-section rear radial tyre and the short 1,327mm wheelbase ensure confidence while cornering too.

Other notable features include an inverted LCD instrument cluster, side-stand engine cut-off feature, hazard lamps, and integrated pillion grab rails. In a nutshell, the Hero Xtreme 160R is perfect for those who want an inexpensive 160cc streetfighter capable of both city rides as well as weekend jaunts. 

all prices, ex-showroom Delhi.