ABS-equipped bikes under Rs 2.5 lakh

While ABS will be mandatory in bikes above 150cc by April 2018, most manufacturers are scrambling to get their bikes to conform with the upcoming regulations. But here are 5 bikes that already come equipped with ABS. Let's start with the most affordable one then.

1. TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS -

Price- Rs 90,757 (ex-Delhi)

The Apache RTR 180 ABS is the most affordable ABS-equipped bike you can buy in India. The RTR 180 sits between the RTR 160 and RTR 200 and is surprisingly the only one to come with ABS (the RTR 200 ABS is yet to be launched)

The 180 ABS is powered by a 177.4cc air-cooled single that makes 17PS @8500rpm and 15.5Nm of torque @6500rpm. So it has enough poke to justify the need for ABS. The RTR 180 ABS does command a significant premium over its non-ABS equipped variant (around Rs 10,000). It is a two-channel unit and has rear lift protection (RLP), as compared to the single-channel one on our next bike.

2. Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 -

Price- Rs 1,34,000 (ex-Delhi)

The only fully-faired motorcycle from Bajaj Auto has been recently updated. It complies with BS-IV emission norms and is easier on the eyes now. 

The Pulsar RS 200 gets a 199.5cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single that develops 24.5PS @9750rpm and 18.6Nm of torque @8000rpm. The bike comes with just a single-channel ABS but the front brake is a larger 300mm disc unit and the rear is a 230mm disc. The ABS-equipped version commands a premium of Rs 12,000 over the base version. The RS 200 is one of two models in the Bajaj stable to come with ABS. The other bike from Bajaj is the next one on the list. 

3. Bajaj Dominar 400 -

Price- Rs 1,50,000 (ex-Delhi)

Get latest updates on
the automobile community

Login Now

The flagship bike from Bajaj forays into the 400cc category and with it brings in many firsts for the manufacturer. Along with full-LED headlamps and a slipper clutch, the Dominar 400 features a two-channel ABS at a Rs 14,000 optional extra.

The bike gets a 373.3cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single that makes a healthy 35PS @8000rpm and 35Nm of torque @6500rpm. The bike gets a large 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc with dual-channel ABS. This, with other features, makes the Dominar 400 a great value-for-money motorcycle in the entry-level performance motorcycle segment.

4. Honda CBR 250R ABS -

Price- 1,89,982 (ex-Delhi)

The CBR 250 R has been around for quite a while and yet remains one of the most capable sports tourers around. It was one of the first fully-faired motorcycles available under Rs 2 lakhs and also one to feature ABS. 

The CBR 250 R comes with a 249.6cc liquid-cooled and fuel-injected single that produces 26.5PS @8500rpm and 22.9Nm of torque @7000rpm. Braking is via 296mm front and 220mm rear disc coupled with Combined ABS (C-ABS) which is another name for a dual-channel ABS unit. The optional ABS, though, comes at a whopping Rs 29,000 premium over the base CBR 250 R. The Honda CBR 250 R remains a viable prospect but pales when parked against the next motorcycle in the list.

5. KTM 390 Duke -

Price- 2,26,000 (ex-Delhi)

The KTM 390 Duke is the final ABS-equipped bike under Rs 2.5 lakh and after that, the next bike available with ABS - the DSK Benelli TNT 600i ABS - comes at a whopping Rs 5.73 lakhs. The previous 390 Duke was fantastic value for a shade under Rs 2 lakh. Despite the price hike by a substantial 25 thousand rupees, the new 390 Duke remains excellent value. 

The previous bike got a two-channel ABS unit that could be switched off. The new bike takes the game further by offering a supermoto mode in addition to ABS-off option. The supermoto mode allows you to switch off ABS in the rear wheel for off-road and Supermoto style riding.

So there you have it. It is perplexing that a lot of manufacturers are still shying away from offering ABS on their entry-level performance bikes. While this move could be to offer the bikes at a competitive price, they could at least offer them as an option. All the bikes featured here (with the exception of the KTM Duke 390) are offering ABS as an option. Hopefully, this will change next year and the mandatory ABS legislation will push manufacturers to be more proactive towards safety.