Top 5 Most Fuel Efficient Sporty 160cc Indian Bikes

Which one makes for a good first bike?

In the super competitive world of sporty commuters, fuel efficiency plays a crucial role for riders looking to strike a balance between fun and functional. Hence, we put the best of the best 160cc sporty commuters to the test, and here are the top five bikes with the best real-world mileage you should consider before buying.

In the urban jungle:

In the city, where these bikes will spend most of their life, the Bajaj Pulsar N160 offers the most savings. Based on a new platform, it’s extremely tractable, so you won’t need to shuffle between gears as often. A close second is the Suzuki Gixxer which, although stylish and frugal, feels rather sedate in comparison to the Pulsar. While the Hero Xtreme 160R and Yamaha FZ-X are equally fuel efficient with a more than decent 55kmpl in the bag, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V ends up at the bottom, due to its peaky and revvy nature.  

On the open road:

Out on the highways these bikes paint a different picture. The Pulsar N160,  which dominates in the city, slips down the order out on the highway. The Pulsar N160 requires a lot more throttle work to sustain highway speeds, especially past 7000rpm. Weirdly enough, what works against the Apache RTR 160 4V in the city works well for it on the highway. Its peaky engine settles down at higher speeds and returns the second-best fuel efficiency of the lot. What’s cool though is how consistently efficient the Suzuki Gixxer really is. With an average fuel efficiency of 57kmpl, it’s the most logical bike to go for if fuel efficiency is more important than outright performance for you. 

Verdict:

Sporty commuters, as discussed earlier, are meant to strike a balance between sportiness and frugality. In that sense, if you want something that leans more towards the frugal end of the spectrum, the Suzuki Gixxer is the way to go. However, if you want that shot of sportiness and don’t mind a slightly lower highway fuel efficiency, the Bajaj Pulsar and the TVS Apache make for the most bang-for-the-buck deals.