Top 5 performance bikes under Rs 2 lakh

Honda CBR 250R

The Honda CBR 250R with its comfortable riding position and sorted ergonomics makes it a versatile motorcycle that can be used for daily commuting, long distance touring as well as weekend corner-carving. Although the bike uses the CBR moniker, its design and DNA is based on the VFR series of sports tourer which makes the Honda CBR 250R among the most comfortable performance motorcycle on sale. The styling of the bike isn’t sharp as its rivals but it is a striking machine owing to its mass. It’s also has got fairly good amount of grunt in the form a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, 249.6cc motor generates 26PS at 8,500rpm and 23Nm at 7,000rpm. The powerplant is mated to a 6-speed gearbox that transmits power to the rear-wheel via chain drive. The power output is good enough for the Honda CBR 250R to have a top speed of above 150kmph and 0-100kmph acceleration timing of around eight seconds. Braking is done via disc brake at front and rear while ABS is an optional extra.  Honda will be soon replacing the CBR 250R in our two-wheeler market but for the time being it does make an interesting case for itself.

Price (ex-showroom Delhi):

Non-ABS Rs 1.58 lakh

ABS-version Rs 1.88 lakh

Upside: Engine, Gearbox

Downside: Price, Build quality not up to mark

KTM 390 Duke

The KTM 390 Duke has to be the next big revolution in the Indian two-wheeler market since the Bajaj Pulsar 220. Consumers got access to USD forks, ABS, Metzeler tyres as standard offerings for the first time. But what really made the KTM 390 Duke make an impact is the 373cc motor developing 43PS of power and 35Nm of torque along with the cutthroat pricing. This endowed the KTM 390 Duke sprint from 0-100kmph in less than 6 seconds, finally Indian consumers could lay their hands on a performance bike without shelling out a fortune and the KTM 390 Duke opened the flood gates of performance biking in our country. Such is the capability of the KTM 390 Duke that under the capable hands of a skilled rider it can run circles around many superports offerings costing six times more than it and having almost thrice its power output.

Price: Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Upside: Performance, Features, Price

Downside: Vibrations, Engine heating issue in city

Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500

If you’re looking for a cruiser motorcycle in this price bracket well your options are limited and you will have to settle for the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500. This really isn’t a bad deal as the Thunderbird has all the makings of a good cruiser motorcycle offering. It has the quintessential cruiser styling with round headlamps, large fuel tank, generous saddle and raised handle bar. Powering the bike is a 499cc, air-cooled, fuel injected mill churning out 27.3PS at 5,250rpm and 41.3Nm at 4,000rpm. The motor is mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Although the engine isn’t the most refined powerplant in the segment but has enough torque on offer to muscle its way around the twisties. The Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500 is also feature packed as it sports a projector headlamp, semi-digital instrument console, rear disc brake and LED tail lamp to set it apart from its siblings.

Price: Rs 1.63 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Upside: Looks, Build quality, Features

Downside: Vibrations, Reliability

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Bajaj Pulsar RS200

The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is the first full faired motorcycle offering from the stables of the Chakan based two-wheeler giant. The Pulsar brand is synonymous with performance and affordability in the Indian market and the new Pulsar RS200 takes the bar a notch higher. While the styling isn’t something one would label as subtle but the busy design has been warmly welcomed by the younger generation. Powering the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is the same powerplant as found on the Pulsar 200NS. What sets apart the Pulsar RS200 motor is the fact that it is fuel-injected unlike the carburetted motor as seen on the Pulsar 200NS. Fuel-injection results in crisper throttle response and avoids cold starting problems alongwith hiking the power output marginally. Providing firepower to the Bajaj Pulsar RS200 will be a 199.5cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected powerplant producing 24.4 PS of power at 9,750rpm and 18.6 Nm of torque at 8,000rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a six-speed gearbox. The above numbers and the full fairing body make the new Bajaj Pulsar RS200, the fastest production Bajaj motorcycle with a claimed top whack of around 151kmph.  The frame, suspension and brakes on the Pulsar RS200 has been borrowed from the Pulsar 200NS as it is. The Pulsar RS200 will be the first motorcycle from Bajaj Auto’s stable to offer ABS as an optional extra.

Price (ex-showroom Delhi):

Non-ABS Rs 1.18 lakh

ABS-version Rs 1.30 lakh

Upside: Engine, Handling, Features

Downside: Styling, High kerb weight

KTM RC 200

The KTM 200 Duke was a revolutionary motorcycle as it was the first offering from the Austrian bikemaker in India. The KTM RC 200 has all the benefits of its naked sibling albeit in a better styling as it wears the full fairing suit. With its sharp and edgy lines, the KTM RC200 looks more like a track bike than anything and has to be among the most visually motorcycles in its segment. With clip on handle bars, revised fuel tank design and rear set foot pegs; the KTM RC 200 is designed to scorch the race track with a sporty riding position. It is a joy to ride the motorcycle on the twisties but the aggressive riding posture doesn’t make it the most appealing motorcycle with respect to touring. The KTM RC 200 gets additional features over its naked sibling like projector headlamp, LED day light running lamps and mirror mounted turn indicators. It is powered by a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled 199.5cc engine capable of 25.3PS of power and 19.2Nm of torque.

Price: Rs 1.66 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

Upside: Performance, Styling

Downside: Price, Build quality not up to mark