Secure Riding on a Budget: Top 5 Affordable Bikes with ABS for Safety-Minded Riders

With these bikes, safety is taken care of

India accounts for about 10 percent of all crash-related fatalities in the world, with approximately 1.5 lakh deaths in a year, as per the WHO. Road safety measures have been pushed at a rapid pace in the last few years to make vehicles less prone to accidents. Two-wheelers in India play a dominant role as they are the go-to travel option. So starting April 1, 2019, the ABS became a mandatory safety feature on every two-wheeler with an engine displacement of 125cc and above. 

ABS, or anti-lock braking system, is a crucial safety feature that uses advanced sensors and electronic control units to prevent the wheels from locking up during hard braking scenarios. If you are looking for a pocket-friendly bike with ABS, here we list out the top five affordable motorcycles with this system.

1. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS

The most affordable motorcycle with ABS technology, the Bajaj Platina 110 gets single-channel ABS with a 240mm disc at the front, while the rear wheel comes with a 110mm drum brake. The Platina 110 is powered by a BS6.2-compliant 115.45cc, air-cooled, DTS-i, single-cylinder engine that generates 8.6PS @ 7000rpm and 9.81Nm @ 5000rpm. The engine is paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

The bike gets a telescopic fork at the front and Nitrox dual spring-over-spring shock absorbers at the rear. With a modest bikini fairing, the Platina 110 ABS features an LED daytime running light and digital instrument console. 

Price: Rs. 79,821 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rivals: Honda Livo, TVS Radeon, Hero Passion Pro

2. Hero Xtreme 125R

The Xtreme 125R is a sporty commuter and the latest bike to join the list of the most affordable ABS-equipped motorcycles. Like the Bajaj Platina 110, the Xtreme 125R has single-channel ABS, a 276mm disc brake at the front, and a 130mm drum brake at the rear. The bike gets a BS6.2-compliant 124.7cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine that produces 11.5PS @8250rpm and 10.5Nm @6000rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

In terms of suspension, the Xtreme 125R features a front telescopic fork and a 7-step preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. The sporty bike has an LED projector headlamp, LED taillight, hazard light function, and an LCD instrument console with smartphone connectivity.

Price: Rs. 99,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rivals: TVS Raider 125, Honda SP 125, Bajaj Pulsar NS125.

3. Honda Unicorn 

The Honda Unicorn is a premium commuter and one of the top-selling bikes from the Japanese automaker. The motorcycle features a single-channel ABS with a 240mm disc brake at the front and a 130mm drum brake at the rear. The Unicorn draw its power from a BS6.2-compliant 162.7cc, SI, fuel-injected powertrain with an output of 13.46PS @7500rpm and 14.58Nm @5500rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

The suspension duties are handled by a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Though in its price range, it lacks new-age aspects like a digital instrument, it does offer a three-pod analogue instrument cluster, side-stand engine cut-off functionality and an engine stop switch.

Price: Rs. 1,09,800, (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rivals: Bajaj Pulsar 150, TVS Apache RTR 160 2V

4. Bajaj Pulsar 150 

One of the most sought-after motorcycles in the commuter segment, the Bajaj Pulsar 150 includes single-channel ABS as a standard safety feature. The bike gets a 280mm disc brake at the front and a 230mm unit at the rear in the twin-disc variant, while the single disc variant features a 260mm front disc and 130mm rear drum brakes. 

Powering the Pulsar 150 is a 149.5cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected DTS-i engine, making 14PS @8500rpm and 13.25Nm @6500 rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox. The suspension setup consists of a telescopic fork and twin gas-charged shocks. The Bajaj Pulsar 150 has features like a semi-digital instrument cluster, backlit switchgear and LED taillight. 

Price: Rs. 1,10,419- Rs. 1,15,418 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rivals: Yamaha FZ-S V3, TVS Apache RTR 160, Honda Unicorn.

5. Bajaj Pulsar N150

The Bajaj Pulsar N150 is a performance-oriented naked sports bike with loads of style and character. The bike also has single-channel ABS with a 260mm disc brake at the front and a 130mm drum at the back. The Bajaj Pulsar N150 is powered by a 149.68cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled motor producing an output of 14.5PS @8500rpm and 13.5Nm @6000rpm, paired with a 5-speed gearbox.

In terms of suspension, the bike gets a telescopic fork at the front and a monoshock at the rear. Feature-wise, the Pulsar N150 packs a semi-digital instrument console, side-stand engine cut-off functionality and a USB charging socket.

Price: Rs. 1,17,677 (ex-showroom, Delhi)

Rivals: Yamaha FZ-S V3

Bottom line

An anti-lock braking system is critical when you need to brake in emergencies, preventing the wheels from locking up. Having ABS on bikes can help avoid accidents and reduce the chances of fatalities. To learn more about motorcycles and scooters, read expert reviews, and get the latest news, visit BikeDekho, the most trusted source of information.