The motorcycle market in India is at the cusp of a major change with the upcoming BS-VI emission norms. While manufacturers have been busy preparing for that, the government has decided to bring the additional burden of the shift to EVs by 2025 (for two-wheelers up to 150 cc). However, the sun still hasn't set on the petrol world yet.
Performance has emerged to become the mainstay of Indian manufacturers and the Japanese makers too have been benefiting from the demand. In fact, the latter have even developed India-specific products for the market. The segment with a price tag ranging between INR 1-1.5 lakh has witnessed a strong demand with the economy surge in full swing. The expansion of touchpoints to smaller cities and towns have also boosted this.
Here’s a list of the 5 most powerful motorcycles with a price tag of INR 1.5 lakh:
Bajaj Pulsar RS200 (24.5 PS) – INR 1,39,635
The most premium Bajaj Pulsar yet, the Bajaj Pulsar RS200, is also the most powerful motorcycle available on sale in India under INR 1.5 lakh. The bike is powered by a 199.5 cc single-cylinder, triple-spark, 4-valve DTS-i mill. The engine can produce 24.5 PS of power and 18.6 Nm of torque. This powerplant traces its origins to the KTM Duke 200. Pulsar RS200 tips the scales at 164 kg and has a ground clearance of 157 mm.
The bike is suspended over standard telescopic forks in the front and a monoshock in the rear. Braking duties are taken care of by a 300 mm petal disc up front with ABS. The rear wheel gets a 230 mm petal unit. Features list includes twin projector headlamps, a mix of analogue and digital instrumentation and a wacky looking LED tail lamp.
Colour options for the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 includes Racing Red, Racing Blue and Graphite Black. Prices start at INR 1,39,635 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Bajaj Pulsar NS200 (23.5 PS) – INR 1,12,557
The street naked version of Pulsar RS 200, the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, is a great value for money machine if you want a compact city bike. The engine is the same 199.5cc mill but this time it gets a carburettor instead of a fuel injection. In its present form, the engine produces 23.5 PS of power and 18.3 Nm of torque. The engine continues to employee a triple spark layout.
The braking system is taken care of by a 300 mm petal disc in the front wheel with ABS adding to the safety net. The rear wheel gets a 230 mm petal disc. The Pulsar NS200 has a ground clearance of 169 mm and a kerb weight of 154 kg. It is offered with fuel injection in several global markets and the Indian market will also get this technology soon.
Colour options for the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 includes Wild Red, Graphite Black and Mirage White. Prices for the naked sport starts at INR 1,12,557 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Bajaj Pulsar 220F (20.93 PS) – INR 1,06,528
Introduced first in 2007, the Bajaj Pulsar 220F (back then as Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi) remains a major seller for the Pune-based manufacturer. Back then it was one of the first India-made motorcycles to feature a rear disc brake, fuel injection and clip-on handlebars.
Powering the Pulsar 220F is a 220 cc twin spark, 2-valve, oil-cooled DTS-i mill. This engine squeezes out 20.93 PS of power and 18.55 Nm of torque. The tried and trusted powerplant is coupled with a tank extension, lending the bike a semi-faired look. It gets a characteristic projector headlamp for the low beam, a feature which has since then percolated to the Pulsar 180 Neon.
The Bajaj Pulsar 220F weighs 155 kg and has a ground clearance of 165 mm. Its fuel tank can store a healthy 15 litres of petrol. Colour options include Volcanic Red, Black Blue and Black Red. Prices for this classic Bajaj Pulsar start at INR 1,06,528 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Also Read: Rakesh Sharma: New mid-segment Bajaj motorcycles heading to India next month
Yamaha FZ25 (20.9 PS) – INR 1,34,180
Using a platform of a Brazilian motorcycle, the engineers at Yamaha have brought out an affordable 200 cc motorcycle. Yes, we are talking about the Yamaha FZ25 and its faired sibling Yamaha Fazer 25. Powering the two bikes is a 249 cc air-cooled, 2-valve, fuel injected engine. Mated to a 5-speed gearbox, the powerplant churns out 20.9 PS of power and 20 Nm of torque. The FZ25 weighs 152 kg, while the faired motorcycle is heavier by 5 kg.
To keep costs under check, Yamaha has offered only the necessities in the FZ25. It gets an LED headlamp and an LCD instrumentation. The faired counterpart, Fazer 25, gets a dual horn, twin pilot headlamps and a windscreen. The suspension system uses standard telescopic forks up front and a monoshock in the rear. Brakes include a 282 mm disc in the front a 220 mm unit in the rear, and both are assisted by ABS.
Colour options for Yamaha FZ25 includes Matt Black, Dark Matt Blue and Cyan Blue with prices beginning at INR 1,34,180. The Yamaha Fazer 25 is offered only in Dark Matt Blue and Metallic Black with prices pegged at INR 1,44,180. Both prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.
Royal Enfield Bullet 350 (20.07 PS) – INR 1,21,000
The Royal Enfield Bullet began its journey way back in 1932 and has since then become the oldest continuous production motorcycle brand. Little has been changed in the motorcycle since then. At the core of the Bullet 350 is a 346 cc single cylinder, air-cooled, pushrod engine. This twinspark engine produces 20.07 PS of power at the crank and 28 nm of torque. In fact, the Bullet is the torquiest motorcycle available under INR 1.5 lakh.
Also Read: Next-gen Royal Enfield Classic with new hardware spied up close
Besides that, Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is the only motorcycle in the world which calls its stance as a feature. Yes, we are a fan of the retro looks but calling that as a feature is stretching it a bit too far. The bike is suspended over conventional 35 mm telescopic forks with a massive 130 mm travel and twin springs with 5-step adjustability for preload in the rear.
The standard Bullet 350 is available only with drum brakes at both ends and a kick starter. The paint scheme is limited only to a single black colour with prices starting at INR 1,21,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). The Royal Enfield Bullet 350 ES, though, gets an electric starter and a 280 mm front disc brake. This variant is available in 3 colour options (Maroon, Black and Silver) for INR 1,35,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).
