Top 5 Bikes Launched In 2019 Between Rs 1 lakh And Rs 2.5 lakh

This year witnessed a variety of new motorcycles aimed at budget-conscious enthusiasts!

The Indian two-wheeler market is quite cost-conscious and that makes the enthusiasts’ segment a little challenging for manufacturers to exploit. But even then, there have been a number of brands which have launched very interesting motorcycles this year and here are our top five picks between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2.5 lakh.

Honda CB300R:

After a seemingly endless wait, Honda finally gave us enthusiasts a worthy performance motorcycle this year. Honda knew us riders love neo-retro machines and aptly chose to launch the CB300R in the country. However, Honda wasn’t too confident of the market and decided to launch the motorcycle via the CKD route. Hence, it is priced at quite a premium, at Rs 2.41 lakh. 

That said, the motorcycle reeks of quality and the engine is powerful enough for spirited rides as well. The only spoilsport is the suspension which feels a little too stiff for Indian roads. However, on the flip side, the motorcycle is extremely easy to maneuver thanks to its low kerb weight of just 147 kg. What’s more, it’s even efficient as in our tests, the motorcycle returned a mileage of 39.84kmpl in the city and 37.92kmpl on the highway.

2019 Bajaj Dominar:

First launched back in 2016, the Bajaj Dominar 400 offered enthusiasts a reasonably powerful tourer at cut-throat pricing. Sure it had its own set of shortcomings but Bajaj managed to resolve almost all of them in the 2019 iteration, which was launched in April this year. It got a generous 5PS bump in power (40PS), and the bike also received a more sophisticated inverted front fork. 

Other notable changes include a redesigned instrument cluster with details like real-time efficiency indicator and range, and a twin-exit exhaust which not only looks cool but also offers the bike a gruff engine note. It even gets a radially mounted caliper for the front disc for superior braking prowess. While it was launched at Rs 1.73 lakh, it received a substantial price hike over the months and it retails at Rs 1.90 lakh now. Even at this price, it remains one of the most value-for-money tourers in the Indian market.

Suzuki Gixxer 250 twins:

Suzuki finally re-entered the quarter-litre segment years after its first stint with the not-so-popular Inazuma 250. The Japanese brand first launched the Gixxer SF 250 in July this year and then it was followed by the naked Gixxer 250 in August. Both motorcycles share the same all-new 249cc oil-cooled single-cylinder fuel-injected motor that’s good for 26.5PS of power and 22.6Nm of torque. The two bikes also get a host of nifty features like all-LED headlamp, digital instrument cluster, and standard dual-channel ABS. 

Suzuki also launched the Gixxer SF 250 MotoGP Edition which comes with a distinct MotoGP-inspired blue Ecstar livery. The standard Gixxer SF 250 is priced at Rs 1.70 lakh whereas the MotoGP Edition is about Rs 800 dearer. On the other hand, the Gixxer 250 costs Rs 1.69 lakh.

Benelli Imperiale 400:

Launched in October this year, the Imperiale 400 is Benelli’s first properly retro offering in India. Its long stroke 374cc air-cooled motor coupled with the 5-speed transmission is perfect for laidback riding. That said,  it is refined and powerful enough to even sustain triple-digit speeds comfortably. Priced at Rs 1.69 lakh, it is the most affordable Benelli you can buy in India. Additionally, Benelli also offers customers a 3-year unlimited km warranty as standard.

Not surprisingly, the motorcycle was received quite well by prospective customers too. In just over two months since bookings opened, the motorcycle garnered 4000 bookings! It goes to show how riders love a classic motorcycle that has enough go to match the show.

Yamaha MT-15:

Yamaha had launched the YZF-R15 Version 3.0 at the 2018 Auto Expo. It featured a completely new design language and a segment-first Variable Valve Actuation technology. However, not many riders were fans of its focussed nature (read sporty ergonomics), and so the Japanese bikemaker launched the MT-15 streetfghter in March this year. 

The best bit of this motorcycle is that it gets the same engine as the R15. At 19.3PS and 14.7Nm, it makes the same amount of power and torque as the R15 (BS4 variant) too. However, Yamaha has cut corners on certain aspects like box-section swingarm as opposed to an aluminium unit in the R15. It also makes do with a single-channel ABS, and at Rs 1.36 lakh, it undercuts the R15 by only around Rs 4,800.

If you’re looking to buy one of these motorcycles, do check this out.

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.