India is a price-sensitive market. I could bet my entire fortune for what it’s worth that you must have heard this phrase at least once in your life, irrespective of the context. Same goes for the two-wheeler industry too but what I believe is, if we see the world from a different lens, India is a value-sensitive market. The average Indian motorcyclist has matured over the years, pampered if you will, with new options popping up in each displacement hemisphere. That’s the reason why we have drawn a parallel line denoted to value in the price argument. Keeping the same in mind, there are still a handful of motorcycles under the INR 2 Lakh which tread both these lines simultaneously and have excelled in it. So if you’re one of those ‘value-oriented’ motorcyclists, here are some of the most value-for-money motorcycles that you can get in India under INR 2 Lakh:
Bajaj Pulsar N250
The latest motorcycle to join Bajaj’s stable is the heavily updated N250. Ever since it broke into the scene, the N250 has offered good value for the money it asks. Trust Bajaj to make it happen. Remember the introductory price at which the first-gen Dominar 400 was launched? Bonkers. The N250 has built upon its foundation of being a capable, friendly and comfortable quarter-litre roadster but now, the value has increased significantly. Priced at INR 1.51 Lakh, the N250 now gets USD forks, a new instrument cluster with Bluetooth connectivity, traction control, and three ABS modes. All of this, with just a minimal increase of INR 1,000 over its predecessor. What more value could you ask for?
Hero Mavrick 440
The Mavrick 440 has many superlatives attached to it. Not only is it the biggest, most powerful production Hero motorcycle to date, but it is also the most affordable 400cc motorcycle that you can buy in India. Enough said? No, let us spaz a little more. The Mavrick 440 is aimed squarely at challenging the domination that RE commands in this segment with its 350cc offerings. When we first rode it in Rann of Kutch, we found the Mavrick to be a very likeable proposition. It delivered good performance and a striking balance between dynamics and comfort. If you can get past the slightly commuter-ish rear end, the Mavrick is also a good looking motorcycle. Prices start from INR 1.99 Lakhs.
Honda CB300F
If it weren’t for the huge price drop, the Honda CB300F wouldn’t have made it to this list but after that, the CB300F has become one of the most VFM motorcycles that you can get under INR 2 Lakh. It boasts a 293cc, oil-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder PGM-FI engine that delivers 24hp of power and 25.6 Nm of peak torque. Other notable bits include a fully-digital instrument cluster and a rear monoshock. When we rode it, we found it to be a likable streetfighter albeit with a few shortcomings. Shortcomings, that one can definitely ignore once you bring its INR 1.7 Lakhs price tag.
Hero Xpulse 200 4V
Great value when you factor in the capabilities it brings to the fold. There’s absolutely no doubt that if you wish to take up adventure riding, the Xpulse 200 4V is the perfect stepping stone. At INR 1.46 Lakhs, the Xpulse range is pretty competitively priced too. Suspension travel that can eat up the nastiest of bumps, peppy engine and sorted riding dynamics make the Xpulse a hoot to ride, irrespective of the terrain. The Xpulse 200 is also renowned for its fuel efficiency. Duh, it’s a Hero after all! But even if you wring it to bring it, the FE won’t drop below 35kmpl. Impressive stuff.
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