Top 5 Bikes For Ladakh Trip Under 3 Lakh: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, Triumph Scrambler 400 X And More!

Ladakh is a paradise for bikers and every biker dreams of taking his/her bike up there. It deserves that respect and position too, since this enchanted land houses some of the most magnificent landscapes, from a cold desert, and snow-capped peaks to even ancient monasteries. That said, the journey of Ladakh isn’t about the destination but the road (sometimes not) to get to the top of the mountains, and to get to the top you need a bike. Now, if you’re on a budget, we have listed the top 5 bikes under Rs 3 Lakh (all prices, ex-showroom Delhi) that will accompany you to the top of the mighty mountains:

Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - Rs. 2.85 lakh onwards

Engine: 452cc

Max Power: 40.02 PS @ 8000 rpm

Kerb Weight: 196 Kg

The word ‘Himalayan’ is literally in the bike’s name and it’s designed for it. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 powered by a 452cc liquid-cooled engine, has enough grunt to roll you out of most situations. The bike has a forgiving character, which means you don’t have to be a rally racer to know how to ride this bike offroad. It’s spacious to mount luggage and the suspension is super comfortable. You also have phone connectivity, Google Maps Navigation, long-travel suspension, a 2-step adjustable seat height, a 17-litre fuel tank and a lot more. 

Triumph Scrambler 400 X - Rs. 2.64 Lakh

Engine: 398cc

Max Power: 40 PS @ 8000 rpm

Kerb Weight: 185 Kg

The Triumph Scrambler 400 X is more off-road-ready compared to its sibling, the Triumph Speed 400. It is equipped with components like a larger 19” front wheel, long-travel suspension, dual sport tyres, a headlight grille, knuckle guards, a sump guard and an upswept double-barrel exhaust, all of which make it an authentic scrambler. Powered by a 398cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine, the whole package results in a very comfortable machine to maintain a good pace.

Hero Mavrick 440 - Rs. 1.99 Lakh

Engine: 440cc

Max Power: 27.36 PS @ 6000 rpm

Kerb Weight: 187 Kg

Hero’s flagship bike, the Hero Mavrick 440 is a neo-retro roadster with a fairly comfortable seating posture that would keep you at ease all day long. Its torquey engine is not only comfortable doing 3-digit speeds but also feels peppy at low speeds. The Mavrick, despite being a neo-retro roadster, has surprisingly high ground clearance (175 mm). That along with its softer suspension means it will tackle whatever few bad roads you encounter in Ladakh with relative ease. Being a Hero bike, you will also get mechanical support almost anywhere, which is comforting since you will be taking this to the mountains. 

Harley-Davidson X440 - Rs. 2.39 Lakh

Engine: 440cc

Max Power: 27.37 PS @ 6000 rpm

Kerb Weight: 190.5 Kg

The Harley-Davidson X440's torquey engine excels in riding around in the city and cruising at triple-digit speeds on the highway. Now while its design is a bit polarizing, it's unique and has a great road presence. The riding position is upright and comfortable, while the suspension rides pretty well on bad roads. This should help it perform well over some of the high mountain passes, with sometimes missing roads. Plus with the Harley-Davidson badge, you become a part of the Harley-Davidson family at a relatively affordable price.

KTM 250 Adventure - Rs. 2.48 Lakh 

Engine: 248cc

Max Power: 30 PS @ 9000 rpm

Kerb Weight: 177 Kg

Sharing the silhouette with the bigger KTM 390 Adventure, the KTM 250 Adventure has what it takes for you to take it over rugged terrains. A smaller capacity 248.8cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine makes the bike more approachable to most novice riders. While the bike’s slightly firm suspension setup might not please everyone, those who like to ride fast will enjoy it, since the bike remains composed when ridden fast on bad roads. Plus it’s spacious enough for most riders, even when they’re carrying a pillion and luggage. So it would be a good choice for two-up touring to Ladakh.

Choosing a bike when you’re on a budget is a crucial step, as you will be spending most of your time in the saddle, which will shape your journey. While this is our list of choices, we recommend you head to the nearest dealerships, test ride the bikes that interest you and then make your final decision. 

While you get a bike of your choice, we recommend you invest in a proper set of riding gear (a certified helmet, riding jacket, riding gloves, riding pants and riding boots) to protect you on your adventure. Tell us in the comments below which bike would you choose if given this budget.