Top 5 Commuter Motorcycles Below Rs. 50,000

Commuter motorcycle, it is not just a two-wheeler or a lifestyle stuff, but it's a need of every common man. A perfect commuter is a machine which is low on maintenance, provides sufficient power for daily ride, gives comfortable riding position, delivers great fuel efficiency and most importantly, it should fit within the budget of a middle-class family.

Nowadays, the market is showing a new level of expansion, thus the segment has been divided into two subcategories as the entry-level commuters and premium commuters. Entry-level commuters are generally referred for the motorcycles priced below Rs. 50,000 and they have a significant share in the Indian two-wheeler market.

Earlier, the entry-level commuter was a segment containing motorcycles based on the concept- “looks doesn't matter”. However, the new age bikes of the respective segment left it behind and adapted a stylish avatar to stay ahead in the fierce competition. Today, we have many stylish and technically advanced bikes in the respective category. However, more options create more confusion, so let’s make it easier with the countdown of the top 5 among them.

5) Mahindra Centuro: In 2013, barely surviving Mahindra Two Wheeler came up with Centuro, and it became a boon for the company. It is a very affordable stylish motorcycle with some never seen before features like the remote flip key and find me lamps. Some of these features are similar to that of a car, so the company promoted the motorcycle as “A Bike with Car like Features”.

Now, the bike comes in 5 different trims starting at Rs. 43,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi). Powering all the 5 variants is a 106.7cc, 4-stroke, MCi-5 engine, which produces 8.4bhp of maximum power and a peak torque of 8.5Nm. As per the manufacturer, its MicroChip-Ignited 5 curve motor has been designed to provide an optimum performance and a fuel efficiency up to 85.4kmpl.

4) Bajaj Platina 100 ES: With another step ahead in the game of mileage, Bajaj Auto introduced the latest version of its popular motorcycle- Platina 100 ES. Not only the fuel efficiency, Bajaj is a manufacturer well known for its aggressive pricing of products without compromising with their features. The Platina ES 100 is no different featuring SNS (spring in spring) rear suspension, alloy wheels, widest tyre in the category (3"), maintenance free battery, electric start and much more at just Rs. 44.547 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Powering the Bajaj Platina 100 ES is a 102cc, 4-stroke, DTS-i engine with ExhausTEC, which claims to return a fuel efficiency up to 96.9kmpl. The motor makes power up to 8.1bhp and torque up to 8.6Nm, looking almost equal to the other competitors.

3) Honda CD 110 Dream: The base trim of the popular Honda Dream commuter series, CD 110 Dream, comes with the same reliability and quality promise of the Japanese manufacturer. The bike has a solid built with a diamond type frame and a sweet, refined 109.19cc, 4-stroke motor based on the Honda Eco Technology (HET). The engine has been tuned to deliver 8.25bhp of maximum power and a top torque of 8.63Nm along with a fuel efficiency of 74kmpl.

Honda CD 110 Dream has a very basic bodywork, however, gets a stylish paint scheme. It comes with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres but not having the electric start even as an option. The bike also features a viscous paper filter and maintenance free battery and has been priced at Rs. 43,497 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

2) Hero MotoCorp Splendor: A motorcycle that doesn’t need any introduction- Splendor is one of the oldest name in this list and a synonym of trust in the two-wheeler industry. The bike is now available in multiple version, however, its Plus and Pro models retain the almost similar design from the first generation. With the most basic bodywork, it is a perfect example of a two-wheeler, just made for commuting.

Powering the new Hero Splendor Plus and Pro is the iconic 97.2cc, 4-stroke, horizontal engine, but with an advanced APDV (Advanced Pro Series Digital Variable) ignition system. Now, the power output of the motor has been increased to 8.25bhp with the torque delivery of up to 8.05Nm. The engine comes mated to one of the smoothest 4-speed, all up-shift gearbox with a convenient heel & toe type shift lever. The bike comes in various trims featuring from very basic features to the premium ones like spoke wheels to alloy wheels and kick start to electric start. The price of Hero MotoCorp Splendor starts at Rs. 45,850 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

1) TVS Star City Plus: Revolutionary, that will be the right word to define the TVS Star City as it was the first commuter to set the trend of the most convenient feature in the history of commuter bikes- the electric start. As per the name, it became the Star performer of the company in no time and the reason was its practicality.

Now, the company has taken its engineering further and introduced a more practical as well as a sportier avatar of the bike- TVS Star City Plus. We have ridden the motorcycle and it gives excellent riding experience as a commuter motorcycle. From comfort to convenience, styling to handling, performance to the economy, the bike scores perfect in every characteristic required in a daily ride.

Propelling the machine is a 109.7cc, 4-stroke, Ecothrust engine, which gives it power up to 8.3bhp and torque up to 8.7Nm, and claims to return a mileage up to 86kmpl. The new Star City Plus features 3D metallic logos, alloy wheels, multifunctional console with Econometer and service indicator, dual tone seat, electric start (optional) and much more with a starting price tag of Rs. 44,382 (ex-showroom, Delhi).