Top 5 Best Bikes Under Rs 2 lakh To Buy This Diwali

If you are planning to buy your first bike this Diwali, and have a budget of up to Rs 2 lakh, here’s some of the best options. From humble, extremely frugal commuters to incredibly capable sportbikes, we now have a lot of really good bikes on sale at this price. 

Hero Splendor Plus

Rs 73,902 to Rs Rs 76,437 (ex-showroom)

The Hero Splendor Plus needs absolutely no introduction. It’s a legend in the Indian motorcycling industry and for good reason. First is the bulletproof reliability. No matter what sort of a bike you’re looking for, you just can’t go wrong with a Splendor Plus. People have been running their Splendors in the most rural parts of India, often missing many of the service cycles and still the bike refuses to give up. The engine is not only incredibly reliable but also very frugal and people across the country have reported getting a mileage of more than 100kmpl with a controlled right hand. 

And yes, while the Splendor Plus has gotten a bit expensive over the years, it’s still a fantastic commuter. However, that could very well be balanced out by its low running and maintenance costs. In short, if you want a bike that’s easy to ride and well-known amongst every single person in your family, the Hero Splendor Plus is a great choice. 

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TVS Raider 125

Rs 80,500 to Rs 95,600 (ex-showroom)

The TVS Raider 125 is our favourite of the sporty 125cc bikes in India. In fact, when the bike was first launched, it reset the way we thought about 125cc bikes and the Raider showed that even these small bikes can be a lot of fun to ride. And that’s exactly why it makes for a great first bike because at its core, it’s just a lot of fun. Each time you get on the bike, it’ll put a big smile on your face and honestly that is what riding is all about for us enthusiasts. The Raider 125 also looks fantastic with its bug-eyed headlight and bright colours, meaning if this is your ride to college, it’ll garner a lot of attention for sure. 

And then there are the features. With the new top variants getting a rear disc brake and single-channel ABS, it’s one of the safest 125cc bikes. Even the LCD console variants have a ton of features, more than a lot of much bigger bikes. Get the TFT console variant and you’ll have a bright, fancy looking TFT, something that’ll make you feel like you’re riding an expensive, premium bike. And then the icing on the cake is the fuel economy. Despite being so much fun to ride, the TVS Raider is an incredibly fuel efficient bike and most people should get more than 55kmpl. In short, if you want to strike a good balance between fun and mileage, the TVS Raider 125 is a lovely little thing. 

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Rs 1,15,852 to Rs 1,35,840 (ex-showroom)

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is our favourite Apache bike and it’s because the bike doesn’t do much wrong. The RTR 160 4V is really hard to fault and that’s because it has  a smooth engine with enough performance on tap to keep you entertained. If you like riding your bikes spiritedly, the Apache’s handling and fun factor will pleasantly surprise you. In the city, the bike’s an absolute hoot and cutting through traffic is a lot of fun. But then, if you’ve a riding group and all of you head out for those weekend rides, the Apache RTR 160 4V is mighty impressive there too. The way the bike corners  is something we’ve not experienced on many other 160cc bikes. To sum things up, if you want a 160cc bike, the RTR 160 4V is hands down one of the best in the segment. 

Check out our TVS Apache RTR 160 4V Ultimate Buying Guide if you are keen to know more about the bike.

Yamaha R15 V4

Rs 1,69,425 to Rs Rs 1,74,019 (ex-showroom)

The Yamaha R15 V4 is another legend in India’s motorcycling industry, just on the other end of things. When the R15 first came out, it stunned everyone with its sporty looks, exciting performance and sharp handling. In its fourth iteration, the R15 looks better than ever, is loaded with features and sophisticated technology, still has enough performance and is still in a league of its own in this segment. So even today, if anyone wants a sporty 150cc bike, the R15 V4 is the easiest recommendation.

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Rs 1,81,118 to Rs 2,15,750 (ex-showroom)

As good as the above 4 bikes are, none of them have the aura of the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The Classic was known for its feel and presence earlier and things are still the same. Ride it and it feels like the traffic makes way for you. It feels like everyone turns around to see what this large, hefty, loud bike is and even after all these years, the Classic 350 still has that feel and presence. The bike puts you in such an open-chested riding posture that it feels like you’re in command of everything. You feel big and powerful when you ride the Classic 350 and it’s a very nice feeling indeed.

The best part is that Royal Enfield has refined the bike over the years too. The engine now doesn’t vibrate as much as it used to and it feels calm and collected. The dug dug might not be there but the engine still has that thumping beat and it’s a very pleasant experience. The Classic 350 is also physically the largest bike in this lot. So, if you have Ladakh dreams with your first bike, the Classic 350 might be the easiest one in this lot to just mount luggage on and get touring.