2015 ZigWheels Awards: Readers’ Choice Bike of the Year nominees

With its striking styling, refined 110cc engine and comfortable riding dynamics, the new Honda Livo covers all the basic necessities for a commuter offering. With the Livo, the Japanese bikemaker has definitely made a mark this motorcycle segment, which is something the Honda CB Twister failed to do. At Rs 52,989 (ex-showroom Delhi), the Honda Livo is priced on the slightly higher side but has still attracted plenty of suitors.

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Yamaha’s attempt at offering an all-new commuter bike with the 125cc bike Saluto turned out to be pretty well-received in the country. At Rs 52,000 (ex-showroom Delhi), it is well priced for the 125cc segment, and is actually quite a value for money proposition thanks to its smooth engine, good build quality and sorted ride. Despite the lack of a disc brake and ‘not-so-premium’ looks, the motorbike has still managed make this segment its own in 2015.

Piaggio reignited the Indian 150cc scooter segment last year with the launch of the Vespa VXL 150 and the Vespa SXL 150. The scooters have been priced at Rs 84,641 and Rs 88,696 (ex-showroom Delhi) respectively, making them the most expensive production scooters in the country. Despite the heavy price tag, the 150cc premium scooters make for a viable buying option with a perfect blend of style and performance.

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The Yamaha Fascino introduces the scooter segment in India to a fresh design and a range of attractive colours. This retro meets modern design approach plus a decently strong 113 cc engine make it an interesting proposition for those looking for something unique in the segment. Also, unlike the Vespa, the Yamaha Fascino is priced competitively at Rs 53,000, which, when paired with its refreshing, efficient and peppy ride, make it an irresistible buy.

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The Honda Unicorn 160 has that typically refined Honda engine and a decent ride quality. If you want to pick up the top-of-the line model with the Combi Brake System, the CB Unicorn 160 with its more powerful engine is the bike for you. The price, at Rs 72,412 - 77,668, was expected to be a turn off for buyers but has surprisingly gone down well with them.

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The Maestro Edge, Hero’s most premium offering in the scooter segment, comes with a sticker price of Rs 49,500 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the LX version and Rs 50,700 (ex-showroom Delhi) for the VX variant. The Hero Maestro Edge has a lot of things going for it – design, features, fuel economy, ride, handling and more importantly, price. The overall package has appealed to a lot of buyers looking for a scooter which looks more robust and has better road presence than the other options in the market.

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The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 has been touted as one of the best products from the maker in 2015. On the road it feels well engineered, well executed and fun to ride. It's also easy to get used to, even though it is anything but slow. And lest we forget, at Rs 1.3 lakh, it's the only motorcycle in its class to come with ABS, single channel notwithstanding. The Bajaj Pulsar RS200 proves to be a value for money proposition overall.

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Bajaj has managed to create an entirely new segment of smaller cruiser bikes with the launch of the new Avenger Street 150.  A mix of performance and efficiency along with the looks and feel of a cruiser, while being light enough to ride in city every day, are reasons aplenty for the bike to be an instant hit. The lustrous paint finish adds to its appeal, giving it a contemporary look. All this at Rs 75,000 (ex-showroom New Delhi), is set to give all regular 150cc motorcycles a run for their money.

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The Suzuki Gixxer SF was one of the stars of 2015. The romance with the bike sparks off literally at the first sight. And once you climb on the bike, it feels like the perfect ride ergonomically. This is a worthy city-based sporty 155cc bike, with distinct design and enviable refinement. Priced aggressively at Rs 72,199 (ex-showroom Delhi), it undercuts most of its competition by about Rs 3,000, including the Yamaha Fazer, which the new Suzuki Gixxer SF squarely aims at.

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The first unveiling of the Mahindra Mojo attracted plenty of attention but a five-year delay meant that the competition around the 250/300cc segment has leapfrogged the Indian manufacturer far ahead. However, the Mahindra Mojo remains an honest attempt and does great justice to its touring dynamics nature. The refined motor, comfortable riding dynamics and supple ride quality enhance its long-distance riding dynamics. Given the Rs 1.63 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) price tag, the bike has experienced a fairly good response from the audience.

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The Yamaha R3 is the new flagship offering to be assembled in the Indian market. The 321cc in-line twin, its power delivery, the mid-range torque handling and excellent road manners take the R3 miles ahead of its competition. And at Rs 3.25 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), the Yamaha YZF-R3 indeed makes a compelling case for itself though price is on the higher side.          

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The Benelli TNT 600i is the cheapest in-line four offering in the country. As an overall package, the Benelli TNT 600i is a great motorcycle for regular riding to office and back and yet is equally competent if you plan to take on a longer, more challenging ride. In its segment, it is competitively priced around Rs 5.24 - 5.58 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and stakes a good claim for popularity among the customers.

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The cheapest offering by the manufacturer in India, the Ducati Scrambler is one of the hottest bikes on the market during the past 12 months. The Ducati Scrambler is a good looking motorcycle, and it’s a lot of fun to ride, for short bursts around town or even the occasional weekend tour to the nearest twisties in the hills, if you’re so inclined. Assembled in Thailand for all Asian markets, the Ducati Scrambler is priced between Rs 6.78 lakh and Rs 7.54 lakh. For the ones looking to make memorable first impressions, this is your go to ride.

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A superb in-line three engine, suitably complemented by fantastic handling and suspension, make the Tiger 800 XCx a great all-round bike. From high-speed highway runs to exploring Himalayan foothills and some gnarly goat trails as well, the Triumph Tiger 800 has the capabilities to pass through everything. If you are on the hunt for an adventure bike, look no further than the Triumph Tiger 800. The performance would hit you at all the right places, from a Sunday morning ride to a trip to the hilly terrains.

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One of the largest selling premium bikes in India, the Ducati Diavel has raw, uncanny looks that might instantly appeal to every rider. That said, the Diavel is full of character; with brawny looks and all-muscle personality, it also has the mechanicals to deliver, whether you are cruising down a long open highway or spiralling on a slithering mountain road. The standard Diavel is available for Rs 14.2 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and the Diavel Carbon Red costs Rs 17.42 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi).