Top 5 Value-for-money Motorcycles Under 400cc In India

We list down the best bang for your buck bikes segment wise up to 400cc

It’s no secret that most two-wheeler buyers in India are price-conscious and look for the most bang for their buck. However, with a plethora of options to choose from, picking the right bike that suits their budgets and needs can get a bit confusing at times. Hence, we’ve listed down the top five bikes from segments ranging from 125cc to 400cc that offer the best return on investment. Take a look.

Up to 125cc - Bajaj Discover 125

With an ex-showroom price of under Rs 60,000, the Discover 125 could easily be mistaken for a 110cc motorcycle. It is offered in two variants - drum and disk - and is powered by a 124.6cc engine that produces 11PS of power and 10.8Nm of torque. Standard features include LED daytime running lamps (DRLs), alloy wheels and an optional front disc brake

Price:

Drum - Rs 57,165

Disc - Rs 59,488

(all prices, ex-showroom Delhi)

Up to 160cc - TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V not only sports a sharp and aggressive stance but also plenty of features and a competitive price tag that gives it an edge in its segment. It is offered in two variants - Carb and Fi - and is powered by a 159.7cc engine. The Carb variant lets potential customers hop onto the Apache brand at an affordable price. It generates 16.5PS when compared to the 16.8PS output of the fuel-injected variant, while the torque output remains the same at 14.8Nm. The engine also gets ram-air assist like the RTR 200 4V and is said to decrease engine heat by 10 degree Celsius.

In terms of features, the bike is equipped with snake fang-like LED DRLs, an all-digital instrument console with a host of info like a lap timer, 0-60 timer and top speed recorder. Additionally, it gets a well-sculpted engine cowl and a side-mounted double barrel silencer that gives it a partially sporty exhaust note.

It is also equipped with a race tuned rear suspension developed in collaboration with Showa. The monoshock comes pre-tuned for compression and rebound damping which improves the overall riding dynamics. For extra grip, the Hosur-based manufacturer also offers a pair of Pirelli tyres as an optional extra. For the kind of features it offers, the Apache RTR 160 4V makes for an excellent choice in its segment.

Trivia: The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V’s sporty lines are inspired from the Draken concept showcased at the 2014 Auto Expo.

Price:

Carb with disc - Rs 85,810 (ex-showroom Delhi)

Up to 200cc - TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Race Edition 2.0

TVS’ Apache range of motorcycles have been the go-to bikes for enthusiasts searching for a sporty commuter at an affordable price. These bikes also benefit from TVS’ learnings on the race track, making them more enjoyable to ride than others in their respective segments. The Apache RTR 200 4V Race Edition 2.0, for example, gets an ‘A-RT Slipper Clutch’, which reduces clutch lever effort by 22 per cent and prevents wheel hops during hard downshifts, higher footpegs for corner carving and dual-channel ABS, which is a segment-first, for added safety.

Like the Apache RTR 160 4V listed above, this 200cc bike too is offered in two versions - carburetted and fuel-injected. The 197.75cc with ram-air assist for quicker heat dissipation produces 20.5PS in carburetted guise or 21PS with fuel-injection. Both versions of the engine, which is mated to a 5-speed gearbox, produce 18Nm of torque.

TVS says the front and rear suspension setup from KYB has been race-tuned to provide track-focused performance. While the stock Remora tyres perform decently well, TVS offers stickier Pirelli tyres as an option. Dual-channel ABS is only offered in RTR 200 4V ABS R 2.0 variant.

Price:

Carb - Rs 97,005

Fi - Rs 1,09,705

ABS - Rs 1,10,805

(all prices, ex-showroom Delhi)

Up to 300cc - Kawasaki Ninja 300

With a sub-3 lakh price tag, the Ninja 300 is the most affordable twin-cylinder motorcycle in the Indian market. The bike, which was originally priced at Rs 3.6 lakh (ex-showroom), recently received a massive price drop (Rs 62,000) owing to heavy localisation of parts such as the body panels, wheels and tyres. The chassis and engine continue to be imported from Thailand, and that’s not a bad thing at all!

Powered by a 296cc, liquid cooled, parallel-twin engine, the Ninja 300 generates 39PS of power at 11,000rpm and 27Nm of torque at 10,000rpm. It comes mated to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch. Fuel-tank capacity stands at 17 litres.

The Ninja 300 now gets 110/70 front and 140/70 rear MRF Zappers which are much grippier than the original IRC tyres the bike came with. Dual-channel ABS comes as standard.

Price: Rs 2.98 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Up to 400 - KTM 390 Duke

The KTM 390 Duke has always been a power packed motorcycle offered at a price that won't burn a hole in your pocket. Priced at Rs 2.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the second-gen 390 Duke brings a lot more to the table without compromising on its value-for-money proposition. It features an all-new design, a colour TFT LCD instrument console with smartphone connectivity, ride-by-wire for sharper throttle response, adjustable levers, a new all-LED headlamp and tail light, and a side-mounted exhaust.

Powering the bike is a BSIV-compliant 379.2cc, single-cylinder motor which gets liquid cooling. It produces 43.5PS of power at 9000rpm and a peak torque of 37Nm at 7000rpm. The bike gets a 6-speed transmission assisted by a slipper clutch. Additionally, the second-gen 390 Duke gets a slightly larger fuel tank capacity of 13.4 litres, which should increase its range by a small margin.

It gets a cartridge type suspension which has compression on one side and rebound on the other. This essentially makes the bike more compliant at low speeds but still gives you sporty handling that you would expect from a Duke. If that’s not enough, the KTM 390 Duke also features a 3-stage Bosch ABS unit - ABS On, ABS Off and, wait for it... the Supermoto mode, which turns off ABS at the rear and lets you slide the bike to your heart’s content.

Price: Rs 2.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)