Executive Bikes In India Up To 200cc: Vote For Your Favourite

The Executive Bike segment of our Auto Premier League includes the best bikes upto 200cc you can buy right now and also vote for. Here’s the list:

The first edition of the Auto Premier League is a competition between the best two-wheelers in the country, Premier League style. You can participate in this knockout-style voting system where the bikes/scooters that get the least amount of votes get eliminated until one champion remains at the end. 

A lot of enthusiasts crave for something that’s reasonably priced, offers decent mileage and has performance-oriented genes. That’s exactly what motorcycles under the sub-200cc category are all about. There are a variety of choices from diverse brands like Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Bajaj and the likes. And you have the power to decide which of these is the best one in this category through our Auto Premier League. Unlike other awards that restrict the options to bikes launched this year, Auto Premier League lets you vote for the best in class ever, period! Get more details about the Auto Premier League here. Voting starts on June 5. Here are the options in the sub-200cc category:

To cast your vote for your favourite bikes, head to the voting page.

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V:

Like its larger 200cc cousin, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V offers a whole lot of features. It gets a new LED headlamp and an all-digital instrument console. Its 160cc air-cooled motor is one of the most powerful in its class and it also gets Glide Through Technology that prevents the engine from stalling at idling speeds. It gets KYB tuned forks and Showa tuned monoshock, giving it exciting handling as well as a comfortable ride. The Apache RTR 160 4V truly is a proper all-rounder.

Pros:

• Powerful motor
• Feature-rich offering
• Most refined bike in its class

Cons:

• Braking could have been better

For more detailed information about the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, click here.

Suzuki Gixxer:

The 150cc motorcycle recently received a complete makeover and now looks more premium than before. It gets an LED headlamp and tail lamp and a revised upmarket looking digital instrument console. It features the same bodywork as its larger Gixxer 250 cousin and hence has good road presence. The motor might be low on power but is a refined and fuel-efficient unit. The Suzuki Gixxer impresses with its quality, fit and finish levels, as well as its great handling ability around corners. 

Pros:

• Muscular looks
• Great handling
• Fantastic quality

Cons:

• Expensive!
• Brakes lack bite
• Lacks outright performance

For more detailed information about the Suzuki Gixxer, click here.

Bajaj Pulsar NS160:

The Pulsar NS160 carries forward the larger Pulsar NS200’s design and underpinnings but gets a smaller motor. Thanks to fuel injection though, the 160cc motor is now the most powerful in its class.  Its perimeter frame, telescopic forks, and gas-charged monoshock offer spirited handling making the NS160 quite fun to ride. 

Pros:

• Good dose of performance
• Handling is great too
• Affordable

Cons:

• Misses out on features
• Engine refinement isn’t great at higher revs
• One of the heaviest bikes in its class

For more detailed information about the Bajaj Pulsar NS 160, click here.

Hero Xtreme 200S:

The Xtreme 200S is a faired alternative to the Xtreme 200R and a good looking motorcycle at that. Its USP is its low asking price which makes it the most affordable faired motorcycle you can buy in India. Despite the low price, the Xtreme 200S is feature packed with LED headlamps, LED tail lamp, and full-digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity. Its 200cc air-cooled motor too impresses with its low-end grunt. 

Pros:

• Value for money
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Hero’s vast service network

Cons:

• Plastic quality could be better
• Underpowered for a 200cc motor

For more detailed information about the Hero Xtreme 200S, click here.

Bajaj Pulsar 180F:

One of the longest reigning Pulsars got a new lease of life thanks to the Pulsar 220F-derived bodywork. It now gets a half fairing and projector headlamp which further adds to its VFM tag. Its 180cc motor also offers enough grunt at triple-digit speeds while the riding position and comfortable suspension setup make it a decent tourer. 

Pros:

• Fantastic headlamp
• Looks like a larger bike
• Brakes have strong bite

Cons:

• Instrument console feels dated
• Visibility from mirrors is restricted

For more detailed information about the Bajaj Pulsar 180F, click here.

TVS Apache RTR 180:

Launched as a rival to the Pulsar 180, the TVS Apache RTR 180 is one of the oldest motorcycles still being sold in India. TVS’s racing heritage helps make the RTR 180 a great handler while its 180cc motor has enough grunt to keep things interesting. Even though the design remains unchanged, it is sporty enough to keep up with the current crop of motorcycles. 

Pros:

• Value for money
• Sharp handling

Cons:

• Engine lacks refinement
• Apache RTR 160 2V looks similar

For more detailed information about the TVS Apache RTR 180, click here.

Yamaha FZ-FI V3.0:

The third-generation Yamaha FZ-FI might be more commuter oriented but it was the first generation 150cc motorcycle that injected a fresh dose of sportiness into the 150cc segment with its design that concentrated all mass to the centre giving off a beefy look. The current generation motorcycle looks quite good even today and gets features like an LED headlamp and a revised digital instrument console. The 150cc motor offers enough low-end grunt to make commuting a breeze. 

Pros:

• Muscular looks
• Comfortable riding position

Cons:

• Lacks performance
• Fit and finish levels are not as good as the first-gen bike

For more detailed information about the Yamaha FZ-FI V3.0, click here.

Yamaha MT-15:

The MT-15 is a more practical but equally capable alternative to the R15 V3. It looks fantastic, gets features like a projector headlamp, and a digital instrument console. It uses the current R15’s powertrain and its underpinnings (baring the cast aluminium swingarm) so fantastic performance and dynamic handling are a given. With cost-cutting measures such as a box-section swingarm, single-channel ABS and lack of fairing, the MT 15 isn't substantially more affordable than the R15 V3.

Pros:

• Fantastic design. 
• 155cc motor is brimming with performance and tech. 
• Lightweight and compact dimensions make it easy to ride. 

Cons:

• Is Expensive!
• No dual-channel ABS
• Stiff suspension setup

For more detailed information about the Yamaha MT-15, click here.

Yamaha R15 V3.0:

The R15 has been a radical motorcycle since its launch in 2008. The 150cc motorcycle commanded a premium but offered a lot more in terms of performance and tech. It was the first bike to feature liquid cooling and a twin spar frame. As the bike evolved, it became even more potent. In its latest avatar, the Yamaha R15 V3 gets variable valve timing that improves engine response at low to medium rpm. It also got R6-derived styling, LED headlamps, digital instrument console, dual-channel ABS, and even a rear radial tyre. 

Pros:

• Most powerful 150cc bike in India
• Only bike in class to get VVA and Assist-and-Slip clutch
• Fantastic handling

Cons:

• Aggressive riding posture
• Poor plastic and build quality
• Low intensity from LED headlight

For more detailed information about the Yamaha R15 V3.0, click here.

KTM RC 125:

The KTM RC 125 impresses with its high-spec underpinnings and a 125cc liquid-cooled motor. It gets a trellis frame, 43mm WP upside-down forks and monoshock, a front disc brake with a ByBre radially mounted caliper, and fat profile MRF REVZ tyres. The 125cc motor too is the most powerful in the 125cc segment and a lively performer. The committed riding position is not comfortable in city commutes but makes the rider feel at home on the racetrack. The RC 125 is the perfect track bike if you are a newbie learning the ropes of track riding. 

Pros:

• Top-spec components like USD fork and radial tyres
• Set up to handle brilliantly in corners
• Appealing design thanks to sporty livery

Cons:

• High asking price
• Aggressive riding stance will prove to be painful in city as well as on the highway
• Easy to outgrow the motor’s performance

For more detailed information about the KTM RC 125, click here.