Top 5 Bikes Under Rs 2 Lakh For College Goers

College life is all about having fun and making memories, and what better way to do that than to ride around on a cool bike with your friends? However, buying a bike that's practical for everyday use and within budget can be quite challenging. So, in this article, we've compiled a list of the top five bikes under Rs 2 lakh that are perfect for college goers.

1. Yamaha MT 15 V2 - Rs 1.68 lakh

First up is the Yamaha MT 15 V2 – stylish, powerful and versatile. This naked streetfighter is powered by an 18.4PS, 14.1Nm 155cc liquid-cooled engine based on the Yamaha R15 V4.

What you'd also like is the riding ergonomics. It's a typical streetfighter with a flat-low handlebar and rearset footpegs. The riding stance is slightly canted forward and sporty, but not too committed, which is perfect for the city and weekend rides. It has a respectable 810mm seat height which may favour taller riders. But it’s compact and lightweight, which makes it easier to handle and manoeuvre in traffic.

What's more? It looks the part. The bike's sharp and aggressive styling is sure to turn heads on the road, not to mention its funky colour schemes. It comes with a full-digital instrument console, an LED headlamp, tail light, USD forks, and body-coloured alloys. 

2. Royal Enfield Hunter 350 - Rs 1.71 lakh

The Hunter 350 is the most affordable modern Royal Enfield in the country. Good on value and perfect for college goers who want a retro-looking bike, but with a hint of modernity. Its counterbalanced J-platform engine is refined, and makes 20.2PS and 27Nm.

While it weighs 180kg wet, it feels much lighter when you hit the road, thanks to the modern chassis. At low city speeds, it feels nimble, letting you weave your way through bumper-to-bumper traffic. Its slightly rear-set footpegs and wide bars eggs you on to ride hard, but with caution. Overall, it's a fun little RE that's comfortable and pretty engaging to ride. 

In the top-end variant that we’ve considered, additional perks come in the form of an info-packed semi-digital instrument console, a USB charging port, dual-channel ABS, and a pair of alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. 

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3. Yamaha R15 V4 - Rs 1.80 lakh

The Yamaha R15 needs no introduction. The bike made a name for itself being one the best entry-level sportbikes money could buy in India. In the latest iteration, the R15 V4 comes packed to the teeth with tech and better hardware. The bike features a full-digital colour display with Bluetooth connectivity, a quickshifter (that actually works) for crying out loud, upside-down forks from KYB, a lighter swingarm, dual-channel ABS and traction control.

Engine-wise, it makes 18.4PS and 14.2Nm from its 155cc, VVA-equipped (Variable Valve Actuation) single-cylinder mill. The peak torque kicks in a little early at 7200rpm instead of 8500rpm. So you have more drive at lower rpms. 

If you’re looking for a sporty, accessible motorcycle it doesn’t get any better than the R15 V4. The chassis is razor sharp, and so is the feedback from the front end. All in all, it’s a perfect option to learn the nuances of riding, and master your skills on two wheels. That said, the riding ergonomics may be a little too committed for city rides. 

4. Suzuki Gixxer 250 - Rs 1.95 lakh

The Suzuki Gixxer 250 is yet another bike worth considering. You have more on offer in terms of output figures (26.5PS and 22.2Nm), displacement, and a package that delivers not only on paper but also in the real world. It’s a fairly rev-happy engine but tractable enough to be used as a daily commuter. Another huge plus is that it isn’t intimidating by any means, which is perfect for newer riders.  

The bike’s ergonomics, especially the slightly inclined rider's seat, does take some time to get used to. But once you do, it’s a pretty comfortable ride. What you’d love is the feedback from the chassis and tyres. It’s a brilliant handler, one you’d love to push hard at every opportunity. Summing up, the Gixxer 250 is perfect for those who want a balanced bike for commutes as well as weekend rides.

5. KTM 200 Duke - Rs 1.91 lakh

The KTM 200 Duke received a major overhaul back in 2020, 10 years after it was officially launched in India. The newer variant boasts a new frame, bodywork, revised ergos and better mechanicals. 

The motor is still the sweet rev-happy 199cc liquid-cooled motor, which delivers the same 25PS and 19.2Nm. The KTM 200 Duke can feel like a bit much at the start. However, there’s a higher learning potential associated with the bike, and you will not get tired of it that easily.  

At Rs 1.91 lakh, the KTM 200 Duke is an expensive proposition, but it has a lot going for it if you look past the price tag. It’s still a great handler, one of the best in the segment, in fact, packs a punchy motor and looks the part with its swanky colourways. You’d really have to nitpick to not love the 200 Duke.