What BS6-compliant Two-Wheelers Can You Buy Today?

Here’s a list of the greenest petrol-powered two-wheelers available right now

• The list includes both motorcycles and scooters.
• Prices ranging from under Rs 70,000 up to Rs 5.66 lakh.
• BS6 norms will take effect on April 1, 2020.

While the transition from BS3 to BS4 was a rather chaotic affair, the upcoming switch from BS4 to BS6 emission norms is set to be a more streamlined process. This is largely because several manufacturers have already started launching BS6-compliant vehicles to ensure there is no surplus inventory of BS4 models in March next year. We can now bring you a list of all the BS6-compliant two-wheelers you can buy in India today.

Harley-Davidson Street 750

Rs 5,34,000 - 5,66,000

Rather surprisingly, the first BS6-compliant motorcycle in the country came from Milwaukee giant Harley-Davidson. The brand’s Street 750 uses a 749cc Revolution X V-twin motor that adheres to the upcoming norms. In typical Harley fashion, power output isn’t mentioned but the engine produces 60Nm and the 750 weighs 233kg wet.

The Street is a true-blue cruiser with its raked-out front end and C-shaped rider’s triangle. It has a low seat height of just 720mm, which makes it accessible to even the shortest of riders. Harley has also equipped the Street 750 with the safety-net of dual-channel ABS.

Honda Activa 125

Rs 67,490 - 74,490

While Harley brought us India’s first BS6-compliant motorcycle, the first compliant scooter came from the other side of the world in Japan. The Honda Activa 125 has received fuel-injection as well as a stop-start system and is now BS6-compliant. This has resulted in a claimed 13 per cent increase in fuel efficiency, though power output has reduced marginally over the BS4 version.

The Activa 125 is a well-equipped motorcycle with an LED headlight, external fuel filler, side-stand engine cut-off, a front glovebox and combined braking system (CBS). The BS6 version commands a premium of around Rs 6,800 over its BS4 predecessor and this is understandable due to the addition of fuel-injection, a stop-start system and a few other features.

Honda SP 125

Rs 72,900 - 77,100

More recently, Honda launched its first BS6-compliant motorcycle in the form of the SP 125. This is the successor to the BS4 CB Shine SP, which has been one of the best-selling 125cc motorcycles in India for a while now. Like the Activa, the SP 125 has also received fuel-injection but it doesn’t get a start-stop system. Unlike the Activa, power and torque are both up on the SP 125, with the new bike producing 10.8PS and 10.9Nm. Honda also claims that fuel-efficiency has gone up by a considerable 16 per cent.

The SP 125 comes equipped with CBS, fully digital instrumentation, an LED headlight, low rolling-resistance tyres and an engine kill switch. All these additions mean that the SP 125 costs approximately Rs 7,500 more than the CB Shine SP, variant for variant.

Yamaha FZ-Fi/FZS-Fi

Rs 99,200 - 1,02,700

Another Japanese manufacturer ahead of the game is Yamaha. The company has already rolled out BS6-compliant versions of its FZ-Fi and FZS-Fi models. Power output has reduced as a result of BS6 compliance but compression ratio and torque have both been bumped up. Final figures stand at 12.4PS and 13.6Nm.

There are no other mechanical changes to the bikes but two new colour options have been introduced. We are grateful because prices haven’t increased drastically, with the BS6 versions costing around Rs 2,500 more than their BS4 counterparts.

Hero Splendor iSmart BS6

Rs 64,900 - 67,1000

The only Indian manufacturer so far to have a BS6-compliant model available for sale is Hero MotoCorp. The recently launched Splendor iSmart BS6 makes use of an all-new 113.2cc air-cooled motor. This is Hero’s first fuel-injected engine to get i3S stop-start technology, and while power has come down slightly to 9PS, Hero claims 10 per cent more torque throughout the rev range as well as higher fuel efficiency.

The diamond-type frame is all-new as well, and this has brought about a slight increase in wheelbase as well as ground clearance without affecting seat height. Hero has also thrown in a brighter headlamp and the final cost increment is about Rs 7,500 over the older BS4 model.

This is where things stand at the moment, but this list is expected to grow next month with Yamaha launching BS6-compliant versions of its Fascino and R15. Of course, electric two-wheelers aren't in any way affected by BS6 emission norms and you can read more about them here.

*all prices ex-showroom