Iconic Indian Bikes That Made A Comeback: Bajaj Pulsar 220F, LML Star & More

When you hear of a bike or brand of yesteryear making a comeback, there’s a sense of immense joy – because motorcycles are more than just machines, they are also memories. My father had a Yamaha RX-100 and a lot of my childhood was spent romanticising the next roadtrip to the tune of a two-stroke ring-a-ding-ding. Hence, when chatter of the RX 100 making a comeback surfaced, just like me, many enthusiasts crossed their fingers with bated breath. Celebrating that emotion, here’s our list of bikes that have made, or are making, a joyful comeback.

Honda Unicorn 150: 

If you remember the OG Honda Unicorn from the mid 2000s put your right hand up! Competing with a small batch of sporty 150cc bikes, it wasn’t the most exciting or aggressive, but it had the smoothest motor and the sweetest looking rear end thanks to its monoshock. It was the first bike in India to get one, at a time when most other bikes used twin coils at the rear. It was pretty popular. Hence, no wonder that in 2016, not too long after discontinuing it, Honda relaunched the Unicorn 150 out of sheer public demand.

Bajaj Pulsar 220F: 

Having been a Pulsar 220F owner myself, when Bajaj decided to pull the plug on the then ‘Fastest Indian’ a few years ago, it was easy to understand why legions of fans felt a little heartbroken. The motorcycle was an icon and a force to reckon with in the late 2000s. With a 220cc air-/oil-cooled single-cylinder motor producing roughly 20PS and 18.5Nm, it was one of the fastest yet affordable bikes on sale then. Therefore, even if for a limited period, the news of the Pulsar 220F making a comeback sure leaves us elated.

Bajaj Chetak: 

What the 220F comeback means for our generation, the Bajaj Chetak comeback has been for our parents’ generation. And what’s most exciting is how Bajaj managed to introduce the future (EV) by marrying it to the past (Chetak legacy). Despite not having the most range amongst premium electric scooters ,and a price tag of 1.51 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the e-scooter has been growing in popularity. It continues to have the simplicity of use even today, just like its predecessor. 

TVS Victor:

Not all important comeback stories involve enthusiast-centric bikes, and the TVS Victor is a classic example of that. The Victor, although a simple 110cc commuter, soldered on tirelessly for TVS, amassing its own fan following along the way. Hence in 2016, TVS reintroduced the Victor as its premium 110cc commuter which would compete with the like of the Hero Passion XPro.

Yamaha Saluto RX: 

When rumors of the iconic RX making a comeback surfaced, imagine the excitement. And then, Yamaha went ahead and launched the Saluto RX, a 110cc sibling to the Saluto 125. In Hindi we call this “Dhoka.” But now, rumors of an actual RX100 in the works have been making rounds on the internet. And when it does, it will be a comeback worth remembering (hopefully!).

LML Star:

Just last year, totally out of the blue, LML, a popular brand of the 90s, decided it was time to make a comeback with three new products: LML Orion, Moonshot and Star. And just like the Chetak, all of LML’s products are electric and slated to launch in the second half of 2023. The LML Star is likely to cost roughly around Rs 1 lakh, as should also the Moonshot (all prices ex-showroom).

Is there a brand we haven’t covered and you feel it deserves a shout out? Let us know in the comments below. But before we end there must be a special shout out to both Yezdi and Jawa for making a strong comeback with a varied format to appease different kinds of bikers.