“Kasi… Do you know the most important rule of surfing?
Golden rule – One man, one wave.” – Ishita from Neelakasham, Pachakadal, Chuvanna Bhoomi
Any millennial Malayali smitten by the movie Neelakasham, Pachakadal, Chuvanna Bhoomi will remember this dialogue. Though the context was different, I’m going to borrow and morph it to create my defining mantra for any motorcycling aficionado out there.
“One Man, One Bike”
Choosing a bike is as important as (perhaps, more important than) choosing your better half, and therefore, it is quite a hard task. You might be tempted to go buy a Bullet. But not everyone can whip up the money for a Bullet. So if you are someone who is looking for affordable alternatives, I’ve got you covered.
Here are five bikes that will help you rule the roads but won’t eat into your savings.
Yamaha FZ
Ex-Showroom Price: ₹95,680 – ₹1.36 lakhs
Mileage: 43 to 53 km/l
Engine Displacement: 149.0 cc
Max Speed: 107 to 134 km/h
This 149 cc monster is something every guy will treasure. The raw aura it emits coupled with the stunning looks will definitely turn you on. With a 12.8 Nm torque coupled with ABS, this definitely does justice to the title “Street King”. This monster will let you zip through busy lanes and get you to your destination in style. The only con, I feel, is its underpowered engine. But the ABS and solid build quality makes it worth the price.
Suzuki Gixxer
Ex-Showroom Price: ₹81,406 – ₹1.07 lakhs
Mileage: 45 to 55 km/l
Engine Displacement: 154.9 cc
Max Speed: 115 to 127 km/h
Not fond of the streets? Here’s a bike that is meant to let you venture out of the city. Suzuki Gixxer is the right tourer for riders on a tight budget. Gixxer is the right companion for those who love to get out and go on long drives. With a 14 Nm torque, the long throttles in a wide road will be a piece of cake for this machine.
Honda CB Hornet
Ex-Showroom Price: ₹84,969 – ₹98,319
Mileage: 52 km/l
Engine Displacement: 162.71 cc
Max speed: 110 to 115 km/h
Now who could resist falling in love with this one? This bike falls into the same segment as the FZ and Gixxer. But what makes it stand out is its rear tyre. The 140/70 17 MRF Zapper S1 not only grips well, but gives the bike a masculine look. And for all you Romeos out there, the X shaped taillights have had many a girl come tailing! The muscular frame adds to the finesse of this 163 cc beast. And with a 14.5 Nm torque, you might just be able to beat every ‘Street King’ on the road.
Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
Ex-Showroom Price: ₹1.11 lakhs – ₹1.16 lakhs
Mileage: 35 to 36.1 km/l
Engine Displacement: 199.5 cc
Max Speed: 125 km/h
If you’re a sucker for displacement like me, then this is the one! This 200 cc mean machine can make all the difference when you full throttle and unleash the 18.3 Nm torque. Built for both the street and touring, this machine can be the perfect fit for your renegade life. And with a six speed gearbox to let your spirits roar, this bike has it all.
Apache 180
Ex-Showroom Price: ₹84,611 – ₹94,309
Mileage: 39 to 40 km/l
Engine Displacement: 177.4 cc
Max speed: 114 km/h
The racing DNA embedded in this bike is evident even at first glance. This 160 cc bike, with 13.03 Nm, will help you whizz past troubled traffic. If you’re the adventurous type, you should definitely shortlist this one.
Well, that was my list. Have I missed out on your favourite? Do let me know in the comments section below.
