5 Most Powerful Bikes Under Rs 5 Lakh In India

From sports bikes to ADVs, here are some of the most powerful bikes that are priced between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh (ex-showroom)

The Indian two-wheeler market has been witnessing tremendous growth in the last couple of years. This is partly due to the influx of all-new models from homegrown as well as global manufacturers. However, most two-wheeler buyers still opt for popular or safe choices, making it even harder to set yourself apart from the herd. So we list down five niche models that are priced between Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh that you should consider the next time you’re in the market for a brand new bike.

Kawasaki Ninja 400

The Kawasaki Ninja 400 is the second-most powerful of the five bikes listed here. It borrows design cues from the legendary H2 and comes with LED headlights and tail lamp as well. Powering this baby Ninja is a 399cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine which produces 49PS at 10,000rpm and 38Nm at 8000rpm. These figures are not only the highest in its class, but it also helps the bike accelerate from 0-100kmph in just 5.4 seconds, making it quickest in its segment as per our tests. The motorcycle recorded a top speed of a healthy 159.83kmph. Being a peaky motor, it really comes to life after 8000rpm. And the engine is powerful enough to sustain 120kmph all day long without any struggle.

As far as fuel efficiency is concerned, it returned 24.5kmpl in the city and 30.4kmpl on the highway in our tests. This, coupled with the 14-litre fuel tank, gives it a range of over 300km. As expected from a premium bike, it comes with standard dual-channel ABS acting on petal discs at the front and rear. Ride and handling are taken care of by 41mm telescopic front forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock at the rear. The only downside is that being a CKD (completely knocked down) offering, the price tag is on the higher side at Rs 4.69 lakh (ex-showroom).

CFMoto 650NK: 

The 650cc motorcycle is the most powerful motorcycle in this list and it sits nicely under the Rs 5 lakh bracket. Like Other CFMoto motorcycles, the 650NK is offered via the CKD route. Under the beefy-looking KISKA designed bodywork sits a 649.3cc liquid-cooled parallel twin motor that delivers 61.18PS and 56Nm of torque. While refinement is not its strong point, the motor is a torquey unit and propels the motorcycle to 100kmph in 5.18 seconds. The 650 NK is capable of hitting a top speed of 200kmph. 

Despite having a simple telescopic fork and side-mounted monoshock setup, the 650NK feels agile and masks its weight well. Braking is via twin discs upfront and a single rear disc with dual-channel ABS. It gets CST radial tyres which despite being an unknown brand, impressed with its grip levels in the wet. The CFMoto 650NK, with its retail price of Rs 3.99 lakh, is one of the most value-for-money CKD performance motorcycle you can buy. 

Also read: CFMoto 650NK: Road Test Review

KTM 390 Adventure:

The KTM 390 Adventure might be priced at Rs 2.99 lakh but it deserves a place on this list on account of not just its performance but versatility as well. This adventure motorcycle gets a trellis frame, long travel WP suspension and 19-inch front/17-inch rear dual-purpose Metzeler Tourance tyres. The 390 Adventure shares its 373cc motor with the KTM 390 Duke and delivers the same 44PS and 37Nm of torque. The 390 Adventure accelerate from 0-100kmph in 5.84 seconds and touch 150kmph with ease. 

In terms of electronics, the 390 Adventure gets lean sensing traction control and cornering ABS both of which can be switched off. The 390 Adventure is a capable tourer with its upright riding position, tall adjustable windscreen and comfortable seat. It is like a more versatile and comfortable KTM 390 Duke. 

Also read: 2020 KTM 390 Adventure: First Ride Review

Benelli Leoncino 500:

The Leoncino 500 is arguably the best Benelli on sale right now. It impresses with its looks, ride quality and performance. The Leoncino 500 shares its 500cc parallel-twin motor with the heftier TRK 502 ADV and delivers 47.5PS and 46Nm. It accelerates from 0-100kmph in 8.23 seconds and can be ridden at 120kmph all day. It is a tractable motor and you can ride the Leoncino in 5th gear at speeds as slow as 30kmph. It can reach a top speed in excess of 150kmph but the lack of wind protection means you will not be too comfortable doing that. 

Despite having a scrambler styling, the Leoncino does not have much by way of long suspension travel or even dual-purpose tyres. Instead, it is more of a naked motorcycle that can be had for under Rs 4.79 lakh (ex-showroom). 

Also read: Benelli Leoncino: Road Test Review

BMW G 310 GS

The G 310 GS is BMW Motorrad’s smallest capacity ADV on sale in India. Even though it bears the GS moniker, it isn’t exactly a hardcore ADV since it packs alloy wheels instead of spoked units. However, it is capable enough for the occasional trail runs and the Metzeler Tourance tyres do a great job in maintaining composure. Considering its displacement, the engine is really efficient. It delivered 37.39kmpl (city) and 31.94kmpl (highway) during our tests. So travelling long distances shouldn’t be much of a problem despite the small 11-litre fuel tank. 

The engine offers brisk acceleration too, with the 0-100kmph sprint taking just 7.57s. Even though the top speed is pretty decent (132kmph), the engine is prone to vibrate at higher speeds. It feels the most comfortable between 80-90kmph. The 313cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine produces 34PS and 28Nm, which is the same as its naked sibling, the G 310 R. It gets dual-channel ABS which can be switched off at the rear in case you want to slide it around on the dirt. All in all, the G 310 GS is a good buy if you want a mild off-roader with good touring credentials and is unmistakably a GS.