ZigWheels List Of Best Two-wheelers Launched In 2021

2021 has been an absolutely eventful year both in the general sense and in the two-wheeler industry. The country witnessed several diverse, often unique and interesting launches across segments. And as the year draws to a close, we at ZigWheels.com fondly recall the two-wheelers that ignited a spark in our hearts:

Kartikeya Singhee - Ducati Multistrada V4

Indians haven’t needed adventure tourers to go romping across this gorgeous subcontinent, but in recent years specialised tools have allowed us to go further and faster. The pinnacle of fast two-wheeled transport with go-further ability has been Bologna’s latest Multistrada. In its third generation, the Ducati Multistrada V4 has sharpened its skills to near-perfection. The V4 engine is at the heart of its transformation - as it has nailed the heat management for everyday use –  and the smoother, calmer performance makes it a more genuine and pleasing all-rounder now. However, this new-found calm and maturity is juxtaposed with even sharper reflexes and more ferocity. It seems Ducati have unlocked a level of engineering that makes the red machines  more emotional, more plural and absolutely gobsmacking. 

Priyadarshan Bawikar: 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350

After sampling the new Royal Enfield Meteor 350 last year, I was sure about what we could expect from the J-platform powered Royal Enfield Classic 350. I mean they are built on the same chassis, they’ve got the same engine and even the same gear ratios for God’s sake! But boy was I ever wrong on that one! This new Classic 350 is just something else, and there’s very little I can say that can describe it to someone who hasn’t sampled it yet. Yes, it is smoother, but where Royal Enfield has really succeeded is in distilling the essence of what makes a Classic a Classic. Start riding, and this new Classic puts you in a completely different head space where, while the bike can comfortably cruise at triple-digit speeds, you simply will want to chug around at 80-90kmph while taking in the scenery. It is quite literally ‘Zen on two wheels’, and there’s still plenty of capability on offer if you decide to get silly with it. While I’ve always generally liked Royal Enfields (and the Himalayan in particular), I wasn’t ever convinced that I needed one in my life, until I rode this new Classic, that is!

Arun Mohan Nadar: Ducati Monster

Revolution is something that Ducati isn't too fond about. It burnt its fingers with the radical Ducati 999 and ever since, the brand has been a bit conservative and prefers evolution. However, it did change that with the new Ducati Monster. Not only did it adopt a different design language, but also ditched the iconic trellis frame. And yet, despite the revolutionary changes, the new Monster has managed to cling on to its DNA. And the most impressive aspect about the new Monster is how much more rider focused it has become.

The riding posture is near-perfect: sporty, spacious and comfortable. What really impressed me, though, is its handling. Besides, the 18kg weight loss has made the Ducati Monster a different bike altogether. It tips in effortlessly, is rock steady through the bends, and once you exit and roll on the gas, it just leaps out of the corner. My best motoring moment of the year was hooning it around BIC and what a joyous afternoon it was! The new Ducati Monster proves that being accessible doesn't make a bike any less alluring. With the new Monster, Ducati engineers have nailed the balance of friendliness and excitement. 

Praveen: Yamaha Aerox 155 

Yamaha India graduated from the 110cc segment to the 125cc scooter segment after the BS6 emission norms kicked in. The Japanese company isn’t exactly known to be adventurous enough when it comes to new product launches but it did take a bold step forward with the launch of the Yamaha Aerox 155. 

At Rs 1.29 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi), it is currently the only (fairly) affordable scooter in the country to have a liquid-cooled engine, and is also the second most powerful scooter in the country after the absurdly expensive BMW C 400 GT, which costs over seven times that of the Aerox 155. Apart from offering blistering performance from the Yamaha R15-derived engine, the scooter is surprisingly practical too, thanks to its 24.5-litre underseat storage, and the apron-mounted cubbyhole with the USB charging port. You can read more about our impressions of the scooter in our detailed review.

Jehan Adil Darukhanawala: Suzuki Hayabusa

There are fast bikes and then there’s a Hayabusa. I grew up reading about how it had hunted down a Blackbird, saw it battle Ninjas and now, as one the last of its kind, got to experience the folklore first-hand. And boy was it an eye-opening experience! 100kmph goes by in a blink of an eye, 200 a few blinks later. It is properly fast, properly a Hayabusa. And yet, it isn’t like the older Busas. I had the privilege to tag along with Kartik as a backup rider, riding his Gen-2 Busa, or as you might know it -- Ra – to shoot locations. The new one is agile, quick and mental in a different way. It sounds angrier, it drives off corners with gusto. It handles nothing like a 270kg motorcycle could. It was an education in motorcycling, something I needed so desperately, and one that has left me richer with the knowledge of what exactly it means to be THE Hayabusa.

Manaal Mahatme: TVS Raider

As much as I admired 125cc commuter bikes for being easy on the pocket, the genre never excited me…until I tested the TVS Raider. It is full of character, with its streetfighter-ish ergonomics, peppy engine and rorty exhaust note. Adding to that is the long list of features, including riding modes! And all that without compromising on everyday usability. From a USB charger to dedicated underseat storage, there’s everything you’d want from your everyday hustler. Oh, and with a fuel economy of 71.3kmpl, it is one of the most fuel-efficient bikes we have tested.

The icing on the cake is the styling. With that Bumblebee-like headlight, chiselled tank and the negatively lit LCD console, the Raider stands out from the general crop of commuters. 

Pratik Bhanushali: TVS Apache RR 310 BTO

Although I haven’t ridden the TVS Apache RR 310 BTO yet, I fancy its versatility in both forms: bone stock and with the kits. Currently, it’s the most affordable supersport in the 300-400cc segment while offering a ton of goodies. Right from the adjustable suspension with the Dynamic kit to the altered clip-ons and the foot pegs in the Race kit. All of this between Rs 3-3.25 lakh (on-road)? Come on, sign me up already! And I don’t possess the virtue of patience, so waiting for the new KTM RC 390 is certainly out of the equation for me. 

Sudipto Chaudhury: TVS Jupiter 125

When asked which two-wheeler launched in 2021 made the biggest impression on me, I’d naturally say the new RE Classic 350. After all, it’s the perfect accomplice to that sublime (for RE standards) J-Platform, and the near 150km I spent on it during the Royal Enfield One Ride – without even a hint of back-or bum-ache at the end of it – was testament to that fact.

However, since PD already called ‘dibs’ on the Classic 350, my next choice would be the TVS Jupiter 125. Cue the music stop/record scratch meme. Yes I realise it’s neither the fastest, nor the most fuel-efficient, nor the most feature-packed, or even the most value-for-money prospect in its segment. But do you know why it’s still a winner in my books? It’s literally tension free! 

Daily commutes? Check! Grocery runs? Check! Pillion comfort (even with a persnickety spouse)? Check! Bad roads? Dispatched with aplomb! What else does an urban runabout need?