[KarthikK]

Are you looking at commuting within the city and felt that even the cheapest two wheelers out there (even scooters) are suddenly so expensive?

Are you an aspiring biker who wanted to move beyond commuting and get into enthusiast-oriented biking without breaking the bank?

Maybe you were already into bikes earlier and want to get back after a hiatus?

Are you an enthusiast biker who already tasted some fun and want to upgrade your bike to the next segment?




If you answered yes to any of the above, read on for some reassuring facts on preowned bikes before we proceed to look at a compilation of 30 juicy options in the preowned bike market to consider across various segments.

Why should one buy a ‘used’ bike?

There are multiple threads on the forum explaining about the value proposition preowned vehicles bring to the table. Bikes are not very different from cars in this regard. In fact there are some added benefits with preowned bikes especially in the enthusiast segment(s):

• Most enthusiast bikes are babied, pampered with accessories, serviced on time, well cared for and hardly run much due to strict weekend use. You basically get an almost new bike.

• If you already know what bike you want, get the same bike for lesser cost than buying out of a showroom. Sure, you miss out on that key-handover picture and that single digit odometer reading but if you look past that, you still save a ton of money on the same thing!

• Given a particular budget, in the preowned space you get to access bikes from one segment above what you might have been able to afford in a showroom. For example, with the budget of a brand new Ninja 300 + accessories, you may be able to get a preowned 2-3 year old Ninja 650 with many expensive accessories already installed by the old owner.

• In case you felt you made the wrong choice or if you wish to upgrade quickly, you being the second owner will stand to lose lesser in depreciation than the first owner who took the major hit when he sold to you. This means selling it off at close to the same price that you bought it for is very much possible.

• Even if you're not a serious biker or enthusiast and you're just looking at a commuter workhorse for urban use, you can find a decently capable and reliable (preowned) higher capacity bike for the lesser than half the price of a 100cc scooter! Twice the capabilities for half the price!

Aren't preowned bikes a hassle to own and service?

Not really. Most bikes today just require routine maintenance and run without too much of intervention or frequent visits to the service centre. Barring consumables such as brake pads and tyres, unless you get a very old bike or a lemon or meet with an accident, servicing a few years old bike remains more or less similar to you buying a brand new one and going through the ownership journey. Obviously the older it gets, the more maintenance you will need. When purchasing a preowned bike, newer the vehicle the better, preferably still under warranty.




What if the bike is abused or has had extensive accidental damage repairs?

Most vehicle service centres nowadays allow you to take the vehicle to them for a physical inspection by an authorised technician. Some of them may charge you a small fee for it but it is worth the hassle, for peace of mind. You should also verify the service records in detail to check what has been done on the bike so far. If the seller doesn’t readily have the history with him already or is trying to hide any information, the service centre should be able to help with this. Most vehicles which are under warranty coverage will be serviced by the authorised OE service centre and this process shouldn’t be overly difficult.




Banks don’t seem to be as eager to dish out preowned bike loans as they are with preowned car loans. Isn't financing of preowned bikes tricky?

You are right. Preowned bike loans aren’t as easy to process as new bike loans - in fact many banks don’t even offer this as an option. There is a way out - you would be better off taking a personal loan at low interest rates nowadays and buying it directly. This in fact helps to avoid that famed hypothecation entry for the bank on your bike. Of course if you can afford an outright direct buy with your own savings, nothing like it.




Concerned about damage expenses on premium bikes? Curious on what happens if / after there is a crash or fall?

The owner can spec up the insurance policy with a zero depreciation cover and this should take care of any unforeseen damage expenses, very similar to cars. The zero depreciation cover is usually provided up until the sixth or seventh year from the date of registration, similar to car insurance again. Do check with the specific brand’s service centre on which insurance providers have seamless tie-ups with them for cashless approvals, etc. This varies from vendor to vendor.


Interested in a preowned bike but unsure on where to seek out these bikes?

While commuter bikes and some of the entry level enthusiast bikes can be seen in (walk-in) used bike dealerships of various sizes, I strongly suggest avoiding these because there are rampant instances of cheating and shady practices (Odo tampering, missing/counterfeit parts, iffy ownership records, missing documentation and many more).

Best ways to buy a preowned bike would be through a direct seller-to-buyer purchase or to go through trusted classifieds (including our own in-house classifieds on Teambhp) where you can sift through the ads, enquire, directly meet the owner and the bike. Some of the enthusiast segment bikes also have ads circulated within biking groups, so being a part of such groups (or asking biker friends to forward these ads to you) helps.

Last but not the least, if you already know what bike you are targeting, approach those (specific brand) showrooms and ask for preowned examples and they might be able to direct you to existing customers who are looking to trade in their current rides when they upgrade. For eg., I know someone who had given his number to the local Triumph showroom, interested in a preowned Tiger 800 because he didn't have the budget for a new one. An existing Tiger 800 owner wanted to upgrade to the latest version and came to the same showroom later, asking for a trade-in offer on his old bike. This became a win-win for both parties.




With those basic doubts out of the way, let’s get on to looking at a list of 30 different preowned bikes which make for appealing purchases in our market, spread out across 3 categories.


Commuter Segment (20k - 1L)

Enthusiast Segment (70k - 4L)

Premium Segment (4L - 12L)


Disclaimers:

• While I have myself ridden most of the bikes on this list personally, I cannot claim that my experience is exhaustive, entirely accurate and/or very recent, and hence a lot of the information has been compiled from the forum and the internet. I have tried to verify the data with multiple sources and ruled out mistakes as much as possible, but in case some observations have been noted incorrectly, I sincerely apologize and would appreciate it if you correct me and the incorrect data, for the benefit of the readers.

• Some bikes or variants of bikes have been deliberately left out either because they aren't practical, desirable, safe (very poor dynamics) or reliable in general (lack of basic reliability turns into an ownership nightmare during later years) or because they simply don't exist much in the preowned market. Some lesser known brands with poor service support network have been left out as well.
  

• The approximate selling prices and the last known on-road prices are all indicated for Bangalore, assuming single owner only. Give or take 10-15% variation for other regions in the country, and 10-20% further variation for factors such as multiple owners, older vehicle age, more kilometres run, etc which can all make the prices hover above or below this ballpark figure.

• Service costs have been collected and approximated, and include primary oil change and routine maintenance tasks. Needless to mention, other part replacement costs will be extra as needed.

• In the premium bikes space, I have largely stuck to bikes sold from 2014-15 onwards. Litre class superbikes and above have been left out because there just aren't as many in the preowned market. We don't want to deal with grey market superbikes as well, from the early 2000s / 2010s. These (preowned Busas and R1s) might be available for as low as 3-4 lacs but the risk of such deals is imminent.
  

• I don't own any of the pictures, some of them have been taken from our very own forum, and most others from the internet, just to serve as an illustration of the particular version(s) of the bikes.

P.S - This list is only a starting point. Please do continue to add your contributions, since there might be many more products in the market which would make good additions to this compilation and help prospects sitting on the fence.

[KarthikK]

Commuter Segment

Price Range in INR: 20,000 to 1,00,000

As the name suggests, these are just some models which are mostly fuss-free commuters for urban duties, and a few options can be taken out on the highway as well for occasional countryside rides. I just included these options because usually every biker / enthusiast starts off from these segments and works his/her way up gradually. The best part about these options - you can land a deal for lesser money than a smartphone costs these days! Speaking in terms of vehicles, the cheapest scooter is 60k+ nowadays and the cheapest 100cc commuter bike is ~45k if you want to pick up new. Compare the extra value you are gaining.

Hero Honda Karizma

Launch date: Original launch date: 2003
Facelifts:

Karizma R - 2007-14
Price range in INR: ~20,000 onwards for a ~2012 model
Last known on-road price: ~95,000




Karizma ZMR PGMFi (fuel injected) - 2009-14
Price range in INR: ~30,000 onwards for a ~2011-12 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,08,000




Karizma ZMR PGMFi refresh - 2014-2018
Price range in INR: ~40,000 onwards for a 2014+ model
Last known on-road price: ~1,22,000




Average service costs in INR: ~500-700 per general service with oil change, budget 2500 per year
Service frequency: 3 months / 2000 km for Karizma R and 3 months / ~3000-4000 km for the PGM-Fi variants

Pros

• Sorted ergonomics both for rider and pillion for urban and touring comfort with stellar ride quality.
• Great low end torque and overall rideability with butter smooth gearbox
• General reliability is very good and one rarely needs to visit the service centre for major niggles.
• Cheap maintenance and widespread Hero network

Cons

• Some minor complaints - no engine kill switch, poor headlights, plastic panel quality is sub-par.
• No modern safety gizmos such as ABS.
• While general servicing isn't an issue, some of the uncommon mechanical parts and body panel parts can be difficult to source in the current day and age. The ZMR variant particularly suffers from this effect due to lesser bikes in the market.
• Maintenance can get expensive (due to frequency) as the bike ages, especially if the running rate is high such as 1000+ km every month.

Bajaj Pulsar 220F DTS-i

Launch date: 2009
Facelifts: Mostly cosmetic and minor enhancements
Price range: ~40,000 and upwards for a 2014 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,53,000




Average service costs in INR: 700-800 per service, or 2000 per year
Service frequency: every 5000 km or 4 months

Pros

• Well sorted ergonomics, time tested engine which has been around for more than a decade now
• Used to be one of the sought after options for enthusiasts in the nascent days of the Indian bike scene
• Still on sale even today, and it has penetrated to every nook and corner of the country. No issues with availability of spares or servicing.
• Decent equipment levels for city and highway use
• Decent FE and good tank range

Cons

• Age related niggles and poor quality of plastics and electronics, the fairing was especially known for causing varieties of rattles and vibration issues over time.
• Bajaj service can be a hit or miss depending on the service centre and the niggles being faced
• Poor engine refinement and vibey nature ruin the pleasure factor
• Below average dynamics and handling
• Rear view mirrors are tiny and practically useless

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...companion.html (My 2007 Pulsar 220 FI – Tribute to a wonderful companion!)



Yamaha FZ / FZ-S

Launch date: 2008
Facelifts:

FZ-16 (carb) - 2008-14
Price range in INR: ~20000 onwards for ~2012 model




FZ-Fi and FZ-S gen 2 - 2014-18
Price range in INR: ~40,000 onwards for ~2015-16 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,02,000




FZ-Fi and FZ-S gen 3 - 2019-present
Price range in INR: ~80,000 onwards
Last known on-road price: ~1,30,000




Average service costs in INR: ~1000-1200 per routine service
Service frequency: 3 months / 3000 km

Pros

• Great fuss-free engine, fuel efficiency and stellar reliability levels make it an urban workhorse
• Good build quality, dynamics and equipment levels
• Sorted ergonomics for the rider
• After sales service support is great since it was a best seller bike

Cons

• Lack of outright power make it not-so-enjoyable outside the city and on open roads
• Weak headlight throw makes night visibility an issue
• Sub-par pillion ergonomics
• Hard and clunky gearshifts

Yamaha R15

Launch date: 2008
Facelifts:

R15 V1: 2008-11
Price range in INR: ~30,000 onwards for ~2011 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,00,000




R15 V2: 2011-17
Price range in INR: ~50,000 onwards for a ~2015 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,44,000




R15 V3: 2017 - present
Price range in INR: ~1,00,000 onwards for a 2019 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,83,000




Average service costs in INR: ~1500 per routine service
Service frequency: 4000 km / 4 months

Pros

• Great entry level, affordable sportbike for those wanting to enter track use or for those just wanting something sportier than the average run-of-the-mill low displacement bikes.
• Top notch dynamics, equipment levels, engineering, reliability, braking and build quality (but v3 is criticized for lesser build quality than its first two iterations)
• Great high-revving, fun-inducing motor with good refinement levels
• Looks like a bigger displacement sportbike and is packed with many features watered down from its elder siblings

Cons

• Committed ergonomics make it less of a daily commuter or practical workhorse and more of a leisure vehicle
• Non-existent pillion space and ergonomics make it virtually impossible for 2-up use.
• Older models prior to 2018 have no ABS
• Lack of low end grunt ruins the urban/traffic rideability factor
• Very easy for enthusiasts to outgrow the bike and want something more powerful once they get used to this bike

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...0-000-kms.html (The Yamaha R15 2.0 Ownership Report. Update: 30,000 kms)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...amaha-r15.html (R-One-Five v2.0 gets me back to two wheels (Yamaha R15))

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...xperience.html (R15 Ownership Experience)



Honda Hornet 160

Launch date: 2016
Facelifts: v2 in 2020, ignoring because it is too new at the time of writing this thread to consider as a preowned option

Price range: ~60,000 onwards for a 2017+ model
Last known on-road price: ~1,10,000




Average service costs: ~700-800 per routine service
Service frequency: 4000 km / 4 months

Pros

• Fuss-free and reliable urban workhorse, more recent and less-stylish alternative to Yamaha's FZ
• Equipped with ABS and Honda's combi brake system
• Great ergonomics, refinement and NVH levels
• Honda's service assurance and widespread service network
• Decent equipment levels

Cons

• Strictly commuter-ish power delivery, lacks outright top end grunt to be able to use outside the city. Forces you to stick to speed limits and be a law abiding rider without trying
• Sub-par dynamics and jittery ride quality thanks to an average suspension tune
• Overpriced and overrated bike, resale will be on the higher side than some of its competition
• Poor headlight throw

Suzuki Gixxer / SF 150

Launch date: 2014 end
Facelifts: 2019 end (ignoring this facelift since it is too recent to be common in the preowned market)


Gixxer 150 (naked version)
Price range in INR: ~50,000 onwards for ~2015 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,00,000





Gixxer 150 SF (faired version)
Price range in INR: ~60,000 onwards for ~2015 model
Last known on-road price: ~1,12,000




Average service costs in INR: ~700-800 per routine service
Service frequency: 4000 km / 3 months

Pros

• Best rider's bike among the 150cc commuter Japs for dynamics and powertrain. ABS available as option
• Great looks and sporty designs in the 150cc commuter space
• Light weight makes it very flickable and agile
• Fuss-free maintenance and reliability levels make it a head decision as well.

Cons

• Small bike and not very suitable for tall / hefty riders
• Pillion ergonomics are compromised
• Lack of outright grunt on open roads and highways due to the 150cc engine
• Stiff ride quality in the city ruins the comfort to some extent

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ip-report.html (My Athena - Suzuki Gixxer, Review and Ownership report)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ixxer-abs.html (My new Red Dragon - Suzuki Gixxer ABS)



Royal Enfield Classic 350 / Thunderbird 350 / Thunderbird 350 X

Launch date: 2009 for Classic 350, 2014 for Thunderbird 350 facelift (leaving out older iterations of Thunderbird and RE classics since it will be too old to consider as a reliable preowned purchase). I've deliberately left out the classic 500 series because they weren't as common, aren't as fuel efficient to fall under commuters and are more nigglesome / pocket-heavy to maintain than the 350s in general.

Facelifts: Mostly minor cosmetic upgrades, there was a X version of Thunderbird with color schemes and alloy wheels.
Price range in INR: ~75,000 onwards for a 2015+ model bike

Classic 350
Last known on-road price: ~1,40,000




Thunderbird 350
Last known on-road price: ~1,90,000




Thunderbird 350X
Last known on-road price: ~2,00,000




Average service costs in INR: ~1700-2000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months

Pros

• Most accessible retro bike(s) with timeless design and road presence
• Spot on ergonomics for both rider and pillion, more so for the thunderbird.
• Comfort-oriented, cushioned ride quality for long duration riding. It is no wonder that these are used even for touring to remote areas and on bad / non-existent roads
• Strong low end torque makes it effortless to ride in the city and in traffic
• Plethora of aftermarket accessories to customize anything needed.

Cons

• Below average dynamics and high speed behaviour, and not particularly fuel efficient either. Not for sporty / spirited riding
• These are heavy bikes and in general not nimble or agile. Can be quite unwieldy compared to the competition.
• Affinity to develop frequent minor niggles can become annoying for ownership
• Lack of modern features and even basic things like a proper fuel gauge under the guise of being retro (Classic 350)
• Maintenance can be slightly on the higher side compared to the competition

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ird-350-a.html (Ownership Review: Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...e-finally.html (Royal Enfield Classic 350 - It's here, finally!)

[KarthikK]

Enthusiast Segment

Price range in INR: 70,000 to 4,00,000


KTM Duke 200

Launch date: 2012
Facelifts: mostly cosmetic changes and paint schemes up until 2020 BS6 version which has significant changes (2020 version excluded from the purview of this thread because it is too recent)

Price range in INR: ~70,000 onwards for a ~2014+ model
Last known on-road price: ~2,10,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2000 for routine service
Service frequency: 7500 km / 3 months

Pros

• India's first naked street hooligan and probably the best option in the 200cc segment with 25+ bhp on tap
• Light weight, superb dynamics + braking and rev happy nature of the engine makes it a delight to ride
• For solo use this bike can manage urban duties in the city as well as occasional highway rides easily
• Decent fuel efficiency helps touring range

Cons

• Heat is on the higher side which might make commuting in traffic a bit uncomfortable
• Ergonomics are not good for tall riders and pillion ergonomics are below average. Not a 2-up friendly bike.
• Some minor niggles can keep happening over age with KTM bikes. After 8 years though, this has somewhat stabilized and the 200 Duke is now perhaps KTM's most reliable offering.
• Fuel tank capacity is a miserly number of 10+ litres, touring will need frequent fuel stops
• No ABS on the earlier models and post-2018 models get only single channel ABS

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...uke-200-a.html (The Duke of Direwolves - Lisbeth, my KTM Duke 200)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...uke-200-a.html (ReDuked! My Orange Flame - KTM Duke 200)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...8k-kms-up.html (KTM Duke 200, my new commuter. Edit: 18k kms up)



KTM RC 200

Launch date: 2015 end
Facelifts: very minor every year (cosmetic / paint scheme option additions)
Price range in INR: ~1,00,000 onwards for a 2016+bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,40,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2000+ for routine service
Service frequency: 7500 km / 3 months

Pros

• Most of the pros mentioned for the Duke 200 apply here too
• Handling is top notch due to its track oriented stance
• Has better headlights (twin projectors) than its naked sibling the Duke 200

Cons

• Most of the cons mentioned for the Duke 200 apply here too
• Very committed riding posture makes it not so suitable for longer duration rides and/or city use
• Pillion ergonomics are non-existent and this is strictly a solo bike

Honda CBR 250R

This bike has to be one of my personal favourites in the preowned bike space. It really is a fantastic allrounder package (reliability, practicality, great tourer, low on maintenance) one should not dismiss easily. The fact that it was underrated in the Indian market meant the resale value wasn't great. However, this is a great thing for enthusiasts who can pick this up for a great bargain. If you're a beginner or someone wanting to get into touring without wanting to break the bank, this is one of the best preowned gems available in the market today!

Launch date: 2011
Facelifts: mostly cosmetic enhancements and new paint schemes. Mechanically, the bike has remained largely unchanged since launch.
Price range in INR: ~70,000 onwards for a 2014+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,35,000



One will encounter paint schemes such as this during the later model year versions of the CBR 250 here in India


Average service costs in INR: ~2000+ for routine services
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months

Pros

• High on reliability and practicality, can be a multi-tasking specialist for city and highways alike, and can take quite a bit of abuse.
• Sorted ergonomics for both rider and pillion, good 2-up tourer
• Good torque spread allows for fuss-free rideability in a variety of conditions
• Very refined and vibe-free even at higher revs and speeds.
• Honda's cost of maintenance and widespread network, coupled with their reliability ensure a long term trouble-free ownership

Cons

• Comfort-oriented soft suspension is not very great for aggressive riding styles
• Poor factory rear tyres which make the bike beg for better rubber
• Basic equipment levels - slightly dated features compared to its rivals, some nifty bits of information are missing on the instrument console
• Deal with inflated price tags if buying an almost new bike (<2 years old), makes you want to look at other options in the price space. The older ones can be great VFM though.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...nt-2020-a.html (Honda CBR250R Review : Still relevant in 2020!)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...omes-home.html (Akarachi: Honda CBR250 Tricolor (ABS) comes home!)



Bajaj Dominar 400

Launch date: Launched in 2016 December, bikes can be found dated 2017 onwards
Facelifts: 2019 facelift got some improvements in the refinement and power delivery, some suspension improvements (USD forks). On the cosmetic front, the 2019 facelift brought in new color scheme options, different looking alloys and silencer end can
Price range in INR: ~1,00,000 onwards for a ~2017 bike, ~1,40,000 for a ~2018-19 bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,00,000

2017-19 Dominar



2019 facelift got some cosmetic and minor mechanical enhancements



Average service costs in INR: ~2000+ for routine service
Service frequency: 5000 km / 4 months

Pros

• Great value for money proposition, the bike is packed to the gills with ABS, slipper clutch, LED headlamps and many more goodies over its rivals
• Sorted rider ergonomics make it a great option for touring (solo though, pillion ergonomics are average)
• Neutral, good-looking design that might appeal to a wide audience without being too loud
• Well tuned 34 bhp engine with allrounder rideability in city and on highways, not much of heat either
• Exudes quality in the fit and finish of the overall bike externals (paint job, panels, switchgear, etc)

Cons

• Short touring range of ~300 km thanks to a 13 litre tank
• Pre-2019 bikes had a bouncy ride quality at higher speeds. This was rectified in the 2019 facelift.
• Refinement issues and vibrations felt at footpegs and handlebar at higher revs. Not the most of refined mills out there.
• The rear brakes felt wooden on the pre-2019 bikes. The facelift claimed to have rectified this issue.
• Bajaj service experience can be a hit or miss if there are niggles to be fixed

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...nar-400-a.html (Ridden: Bajaj Dominar 400)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...nar-400-a.html



KTM Duke 250

Launch date: 2017
Facelifts: 2019 facelift added dual channel ABS as standard. 2020 facelift introduced some more color schemes
Price range in INR: ~1,30,000 onwards for a ~2018+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,40,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2300+ for routine service
Service frequency: 7500 km / 3 months

Pros

• Packed with a lot of features (USD forks, dual channel ABS, slipper clutch, etc), most of them watered down from its elder 390 siblings
• Like all KTMs, razor sharp handling and impressive dynamics.
• Fantastic design and looks almost as much of a hooligan as a 390 Duke
• Very good rideability with decent low end torque and better refinement and manageable heat levels compared to its 390 siblings, this is a gentleman's Duke. It is a forgiving KTM.

Cons

• Dated instrument console handed down from the older version of its elder siblings
• Sub-par OE MRF tyres warrant a rubber upgrade for aggressive riding or highway use
• Pre-2019 bikes do not have ABS.
• Hard and uncomfortable seats. Pillion ergonomics are below average
• Pricey option even in the used bike market. Because this bike is quite new, it still holds good resale and one may find other options for the prices the duke 250's preowned examples command.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...uke-250-a.html (A day out with the new KTM Duke 250)



KTM Duke 390

Launch date: 2013
Facelifts: 2015 version onwards got slipper clutch system. 2017 facelift had a design change, added LED lights, TFT console, adjustable levers, larger 13.4L fuel tank, 185mm ground clearance and some more minor goodies.

Duke 390 v1: 2013-17
Price range in INR: ~1,00,000 onwards for a ~2014+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,55,000




Duke 390 v2: 2017-present
Price range in INR: ~1,40,000 onwards for a ~2017+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~3,22,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2500 for routine service
Service frequency: 7500 km / 3 months

Pros

• A single do-it-all, naked street fighter hooligan bike with adequate power for highways and thrill inspiring rides, scary power to weight ratio for beginner riders
• Packed to the hilt with a lot of premium features that several big bikes come with.
• Fantastic razor sharp handling and class leading dynamics no matter what the speed or road
• Free revving motor with short gearing, plus decent levels of fuel efficiency help touring (2017 version got a bigger 13.4litre fuel tank, while the older ones have smaller tanks)
• Relatively lesser maintenance costs and easily accessible service network for this segment of bikes, which explains why this is so popular as a tourer.

Cons

• Engine heat due to the high compression ratio, and a lot of it is felt at low speeds. Discomfort due to excess heat is guaranteed if using in traffic / city
• Dead low end, the RPM needs to be above 3-4k rpm to see any kind of action, not a very easy bike to ride at crawling speeds. Not an engine which likes to cruise peacefully, more of a high revver and tacho exerciser. Can get quite tiring on long journeys.
• Ergonomics are not conducive for tall riders and pillions are unwelcome. Stiff ride quality aggravates these issues further.
• Frequent, annoying niggles (some can be critical as well) can ruin the long term ownership experience. Buyers seeking absolute reliability, please avoid the KTM camp and look elsewhere.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...l-enfield.html (My ownership review of the KTM Duke 390, and how it pushed me back towards owning a Royal Enfield)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-390-duke.html (Ownership Review - 2017 KTM 390 Duke)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-now-sold.html (My KTM 390 Duke. EDIT: Now sold)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...light=duke+390 (The KTM Duke 390 Ownership Experience Thread)



KTM RC 390

Launch date: 2015 end
Facelifts: 2016 versions got a slipper clutch. 2017 facelift added adjustable levers, redesigned mirrors, redesigned exhaust end can, ride-by-wire system, a bigger front 320mm rotor in lieu of the older 300mm rotor, apart from new paint schemes. After 2017 the annual facelifts have been largely limited to new paint schemes and other such minor cosmetic add-ons.

RC 390 v1: 2015-17
Price range in INR: ~1,20,000 onwards for a ~2016+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~2,75,000




RC 390 v2 (BS4): 2017-present
Price range in INR: ~1,50,000 onwards for a ~2017+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~3,20,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2500 for routine service
Service frequency: 7500 km / 3 months

Pros

• All the pros of the Duke 390 apply to this bike as well.
• Best supersport-genre middleweight track bike with even better handling and aerodynamics than its hooligan sibling
• Stunning looks and design

Cons

• Most of the cons of the Duke 390 apply to this bike as well
• More suited to the supersport / thrill fans and very low on practicality as a commuter or tourer.
• Very low tank capacity of ~10 litres means frequent fuel stops when out on the highway.
• Committed supersport ergonomics, and non-existent pillion ergonomics
• Stepmotherly treatment by KTM meted out to the 390 siblings which meant that for any given (same year) model, the Duke 390 got more features than the RC 390. The Duke got all the latest equipment first, and then after a few years it watered down to the RC.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-rc-390-a.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...xperience.html (KTM RC390 - Initial Ownership Experience)



Kawasaki Ninja 300

Launch date: 2013
Facelifts: mostly cosmetic until 2018. 2018 facelift received ABS and some Indianized parts and a price correction making it ~60,000 lesser than earlier. There are some complaints that the 2018+ version does not have the same bulletproof build or quality of the 2013-18 Ninja 300s.

Ninja 300 v1: 2013-18
Price range in INR: ~2,00,000 onwards for a ~2015+ model
Last known on-road price: ~4,40,000




KRT livery paint scheme: one of the many paint schemes that Kawasaki kept updating the Ninja 300 with



Ninja 300 v2: Localized Ninja 300, 2018 onwards
Price range in INR: ~2,40,000 onwards for a ~2018 bike
Last known on-road price: ~3,93,000




Average service costs in INR: ~5500 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months

Pros

• Fantastic allrounder package for enthusiasts - bulletproof reliability, refined and high revving parallel twin motor and a delight to ride in the city and on highways alike.
• Best-in-segment build quality and fit and finish levels of practically every bit of the bike
• 17L+ tank capacity is a boon for touring
• Impressive dynamics and braking, and A+ ergonomics for the rider
• Very desirable looks and design, easy to mistake it for a bigger capacity bike.

Cons

• The pre-2018 facelift bikes did not come with ABS. It remains one of the sorely missed points on what would have otherwise been a flawless package.
• Kawasaki service is expensive both for routine maintenance and incidental expenses. Almost twice the cost of its rivals in the same segment to be precise
• Some smaller towns may not even have Kawasaki dealership presence, limiting the ownership possibility largely to Metros and a few Tier 2 cities
• Lack of pillion friendly ergonomics
• Stock halogen headlamps warrant a replacement
• The 2018+ (Indianized) versions are said to be not as well built as the old ckd bikes of pre-2018 era.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...nja-300-a.html (Double graduation - From a Honda Dio to a Kawasaki Ninja 300)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ack-ninja.html (Kawasaki Ninja 300 - Tale of a Black Ninja!)



DSK Benelli TNT 300

Launch date: 2015
Facelifts: mostly cosmetic. The price was slashed in 2019 to 2.99 ex-showroom. It was discontinued in 2020 and Benelli is still yet to launch the updated 302 in its place
Price range in INR: ~1,50,000 onwards for a ~2016+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~3,62,000




Average service costs in INR: ~5500 per routine service
Service frequency: 4000 km / 4 months initially, later they revised it to 6000 km / 6 months after customers protested.

Pros

• Impressive twin cylinder engine with 38bhp of power, good refinement and best-in-class exhaust note which almost sounded like an inline-4 motor!
• Sorted ergonomics for the rider
• Braking was positively good
• Neutral design and looks will not polarize any particular sect of riders

Cons

• Engine heat and poor fuel efficiency in traffic is a pain point.
• Below average dynamics, and quite a heavy weight at~200kg for a naked quarter litre bike
• Niggles are common, and many times spares aren't in stock, causing annoying waits for disgruntled customers
• Benelli's service network is one of the worst, services are expensive and the service levels are poor to say the least.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...an-beauty.html (DSK Benelli TNT 300 - My Red Italian Beauty)



Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Launch date: 2018 November
Facelifts: None (except for BS6 update which was also just for the BS6 compliance and didn't change anything else). Sometime in 2019, the 650 twins got a silent upgrade to clear lens headlamp covers from factory.

Price range in INR: ~2,40,000 onwards for a ~2019 bike (brand new Interceptor 650 costs ~3,20,000 at the time of writing this thread)
Last known on-road price: ~3,19,000




Average service costs in INR: ~2800 for routine service.
Service frequency: 10,000 km / 12 months

Pros

• Great twin cylinder engine with superb refinement, minimal heat and oodles of torque to keep the rider happy in the city and on highways
• Very easy to ride, robust/hardy and forgiving bike for all categories of riders, allowing them to enjoy riding carefree
• Basic safety net is in place from the factory - A++ quality brakes, grippy Pirelli tyres, dual channel ABS and slipper clutch
• Almost niggle free, built well and the reliability levels are very high in general
• Very affordable maintenance, long service intervals (once a year) and widespread RE service network

Cons

• Suspension is tuned towards the softer side, not the best bike for high speed dynamics
• Ergonomics issues for the rider with a below-average seat support leading to fatigue, and some more nitty gritties related to the side stand reach and handlebar height
• Pillion ergonomics are horrendous and are below average, avoid this bike for 2-up use unless it is only for short errands inside the city.
• Minimal instrumentation and gizmos, the electronics are basic and functional, headlamps are poorly designed.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...-650-twin.html (Ridden: Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650 Twin)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ip-review.html (Silver Blitz 650: Royal Enfield Interceptor Ownership Review)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ownership.html (My Orange Crush Interceptor 650: The idiot's guide to Royal Enfield ownership)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...tor-650-a.html



Yamaha YZF-R3

Launch date: 2015 August
Facelifts: none, just got a few new paint schemes in the later years before it was discontinued in 2019
Price range in INR: ~2,00,000 onwards for a ~2017+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~4,32,000




Average service costs in INR: ~4000-5000 per routine service
Service frequency: 5000km / 6 months

Pros

• Fantastic twin-cylinder engine with 42bhp on tap, great rideability and refinement levels similar to the Ninja 300
• Nice overall package for the mature, solo tourer enthusiast
• Great on reliability and practicality, very low on maintenance demands
• Sorted ergonomics for sporty riding as well as touring
• Above average dynamics and braking, still not as sporty as the RC 390 or the Ninja 300, or even Yamaha's own R15!

Cons

• No ABS, No slipper clutch, no upside down forks, etc, which some of its rivals come with
• Low on fuel efficiency, returning around ~25 kmpl even while touring
• Most expensive in the segment, and current owners expect the next owners to pay higher because they once paid it!
• Pillion ergonomics are poor, rendering it useless for 2-up touring.
• MRF OE tyres warrant a rubber upgrade for spirited riding and highway rides, more so considering it does not have ABS.

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ip-review.html (Yamaha YZF-R3 : Ownership Review)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ip-review.html (Yamaha YZF-R3 : Detailed Ownership Review)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/motor...ha-yzf-r3.html (My journey from a Ninja 300 to a Yamaha YZF-R3)



Harley Davidson Street 750

Launch date: 2014
Facelifts: 2017 version was updated with ABS and a few new paint schemes.
Price range in INR: ~3,00,000 onwards for a ~2016 non-ABS model, ~3,50,000 for a ~2017+ ABS model bike
Last known on-road price: ~5,35,000




Fun fact: Harley discontinuing India operations and outsourcing the service to Hero, might lead to a sizeable dip in resale value which potential preowned Harley buyers can and should exploit to get good deals.

Average service costs in INR: ~8000-10,000 per service
Service frequency: 8000 km / 1 year

Pros

• Cheapest Harley one can buy for the road presence and the characteristic exhaust note
• Rideability is very good with oodles of low end torque and cruising on the open roads is effortless
• Handles surprisingly well by cruiser standards
• Ergonomics suit shorter riders

Cons

• Lack of ABS (pre-2017) and the brakes can do with a lot more biting force
• Fit and finish levels are not up to the standards expected for this kind of price. Some glaring crude bits and pieces are a given
• Quite a heavy kerb weight of almost ~230 kilos ruin the power-to-weight ratio to dismal numbers.
• Engine refinement and heat management and nothing to write home about
• Bike itself was horribly overpriced for what it offered, which was basically just the Harley brand name and pretty much nothing else.
• Harley service is extremely expensive and the bike is not inherently reliable by itself. Maintenance costs might be almost double that of the competition

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...edit-sold.html (My Red Baron – Harley Davidson Street 750. EDIT: Sold!)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ip-review.html (Harley Davidson Street 750 - Ownership Review)

[KarthikK]

Premium Segment

Price range in INR: 4,00,000 to 12,00,000+


Kawasaki Ninja 650

Launch date: 2012
Facelifts: cosmetic facelifts until 2017. 2017 facelift added slipper clutch and ABS standard and featured redesigned looks and seats. Since ABS can be a dealbreaker in the premium bike space, this thread shall exclude older Ninja 650s (prior to 2017) which suffered from lack of ABS and had weak brakes as well, and will concentrate only on the 2017+ models.

Price range in INR: ~4,00,000 onwards for a ~2017+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~7,70,000



KRT edition livery in one of the cosmetic facelifts of the Ninja 650 ABS



Average service costs in INR: ~5000-6000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil is only changed only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Fantastic torquey twin cylinder motor with enough juice to tour at triple digit speeds all day long
• Ergonomics are spot on for a sport tourer bike, allowing flexibility to be sporty as well as lean back considerably. However, some owners do feel that the 2017 version was a bit sportier than the outgoing version and compromised on the touring ergonomics a bit
• Bulletproof reliability of Kawasaki, with fantastic build quality and fit and finish levels
• Improved dynamics and braking, lighter weight (just 195 kg) plus addition of ABS and slipper clutch over the outgoing version (2016)

Cons

• Soft suspension setup oriented more towards touring comfort than towards outright sporty riding
• Pillion comfort was compromised over the outgoing version
• Exhaust note is routine and commuter-ish and nothing exciting for enthusiasts
• Ground clearance is a sore point and one has to be careful on bad roads and unscientific speedbreakers
• Kawasaki service costs and maintenance can be expensive

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference (non-ABS versions):

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...nja-650-a.html (The Ninja & me - 2015 Kawasaki Ninja 650!)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...nja-650-a.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...nja-650-a.html (The Green Assassin - My 2012 Kawasaki Ninja 650)



Kawasaki Z650 / ER-6N

Launch date: 2017
Facelifts: What was previously known as the ER-6N (N for Naked) until 2016 without ABS was updated as the Z650 and launched in India with a few enhancements, redesigned body, LED lights, etc and the addition of ABS.

Price range in INR: ~3,80,000 onwards for a ~2017+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~7,30,000




Average service costs in INR: ~5000-6000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil is only changed only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Most of the pros of the Ninja 650 with regard to engine and dynamics apply to this bike as well
• In addition, The Z650 was marginally lighter than the Ninja 650 (2017) and more nimble and less front-heavy, aiding dynamics a bit
• Lower seat height allows shorter riders to handle the bike easily

Cons

• Most of the cons of the Ninja 650 apply here too.
• In addition, the wind blast can be a sore point at higher speeds, owing to the upright seating stance and zero wind protection from the OE visor
• Hard seats make touring unpleasant beyond a certain duration.
• Taller riders will not be comfortable with the compromised and compressed ergonomics (this is a relatively small bike physically)

Kawasaki Versys 650

Launch date: 2016
Facelifts: mostly cosmetic and limited to paint scheme updates
Price range in INR: ~5,00,000 onwards for a ~2016+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~8,70,000




Average service costs in INR: ~5000-6000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil is only changed only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Fantastic torquey twin cylinder motor with enough juice to tour at triple digit speeds all day long
• Being an adventure tourer, the ergonomics are upright and comfortable, allowing for all day touring and mile munching.
• Impressive on-road dynamics for a bike this tall and heavy (~215 kg)
• Bulletproof reliability of Kawasaki, with fantastic build quality and fit and finish levels
• Comes with Showa adjustable suspension stock on the front and the back
• 21 litre fuel tank allows for a great touring range with minimal fuel stops

Cons

• The top-heavy weight and the high seat height (840mm) are pain points to handle the bike at crawling / parking speeds or U-turns, especially for shorter riders.
• Hard and clunky transmission ruins gear shifting pleasure with an otherwise great engine
• Below average OE headlights warrant for aux lights to be installed if you ever consider this bike for touring in the dark.
• Not an outright adventure biased Adv bike. It is mostly for tarmac-biased touring.
• Dated and minimalist instrument console, doesn't even offer a temperature gauge or a gear indicator!
• Kawasaki service costs and maintenance can be expensive

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...sys-650-a.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...pleted-13.html (Tesseract: Going further with the Kawasaki Versys 650. EDIT: 50,000 km completed)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...edit-sold.html (Kawasaki Versys 650: The good times with my 'Dark Knight' begin. EDIT: SOLD!)



Triumph Bonneville T100

Launch date: 2014
Facelifts: First version here did not have ABS and any electronics and was pretty barebones. The 2016 refresh of the T100 brought in new colors, ABS, switchable traction control, torque control clutch and some more goodies.

Price range: ~4,50,000 onwards for a ~2015+ bike (non-ABS). 5,50,000 for the ABS version from ~2016+
Last known on-road price: ~10,30,000




Average service costs in INR: ~8000 per routine service
Service frequency: 10,000 km / 1 year

Pros

• Uber-refined twin cylinder engine with oodles of low end torque and an addictive exhaust note
• Brilliant dynamics and handling with A+ braking
• One of the best looking premium retro naked twins on offer in the market
• Well sorted ergonomics for the rider (as long as he/she is not too tall)

Cons

• Ride is on the stiffer side and not very comfortable on bad roads
• Ergonomics are not very comfortable for tall riders
• Triumph service costs can get exorbitant as the bike ages
• Ground clearance seems to be an issue one needs to be careful about

Reviews and ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...omes-home.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...edit-sold.html (My Triumph Bonneville. EDIT: Sold!)



Honda CBR 650F

Launch date: 2015
Facelifts: Updated in mid 2017. The 2017 facelift comes additionally with LED clear lens headlamps, new paint schemes (red and black) and some improvements to the suspension and exhaust systems.

Price range in INR: ~5,20,000 onwards for a ~2016+ model
Last known on-road price: ~8,60,000

2015-17 CBR 650F



2017 Facelift with new color schemes such as this red-black scheme



Average service costs in INR: ~6000+ per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil change is done only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Versatile, super-refined inline-4 engine, putting out 85 horses with a well tuned gearbox, allows for effortless usage of the (sport tourer) bike for pottering around town, or attacking open roads alike. The bike is ready for action in any gear and from any speed.
• Fantastic fit and finish and build quality
• Reasonably good ergonomics for short to medium height riders and pillions. Good 2-up sport tourer similar to the Ninja 650
• Honda reliability and fuss-free maintenance allow for peaceful long term ownership
• Neutral design and looks. Sleeper sportbike which can pass off as a CBR 250 from a distance. Avoids unnecessary attention, which can sometimes be a hindrance in public places.

Cons

• Not many riding aids apart from ABS
• Bizarre looking instrument console with some glaring omissions - there is no temperature gauge or gear indicator!
• Stiff ride quality at low speeds
• Very poor headlight throw from the stock unit warrants for headlight upgrade or the addition of aux lamps for touring in the dark
• Pricey for what it offers. Because of its high price in the new market and Honda's legendary reliability/maintenance, even the resale value for preowned CBRs can be quite high

Reviews and Ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...a-cbr650f.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...page-12-a.html (A dream come true - My Honda CBR650F. EDIT: Track Day at BIC on page 12)



Triumph Street Triple 675 / 765 S / 765 RS

Launch date: 2014

Facelifts: The Street Triple 675 was discontinued and replaced with the Street Triple 765 S and Street Triple 765 RS in 2017


Street Triple 675
Price range in INR: ~5,00,000 for a ~2016+ 675 Triple
Last known on-road price: ~10,00,000




Street Triple 765 RS
Price range in INR: ~7,50,000 onwards for a ~2018 765 Triple S, ~9,00,000 onwards for a ~2018+ Triple 765 RS
Last known on-road price: ~12,40,000 for 765 S, ~14,40,000 for 765 RS




Average service costs in INR: ~8,000 per routine service
Service frequency: 10,000 km / 1 year

Pros

• One of the lightest and best naked street hooligans for enthusiasts with hair-raising thrill levels
• Razor sharp handling and flawless dynamics to plaster a smile on the rider's face all day long
• Sweet triple motor with a near-perfect tune and exhaust note to complete the riding pleasure circle
• Fantastic build quality and fit and finish levels

Cons

• The earlier pre-2016 675s in India were affected by the Detuning fiasco (read up more about it online) and some annoying niggles related to stalling, etc.
• Ground clearance and fuel quality sensitivity issues limit touring abilities a bit
• Pillion ergonomics are very poor
• Triumph service is notorious for high costs and poor workmanship

Reviews and Ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...le-review.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...socks-off.html (The Triumph Speed Triple burbles my socks off!)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ple-675-a.html (Road to finalizing Bumblebee - Triumph Street Triple 675)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ip-review.html (Triumph Street Triple: Ownership Review)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ing-brand.html (Triumph Motorcycles India : Is after-sales service killing this brand?)



Triumph Daytona 675 ABS / 675 R

Launch date: 2014
Facelifts: None as such. The 'R' version featured a slightly different color scheme and added Ohlins adjustable suspension and Brembo Monoblock brakes up front. The 675R costed 1.5 lacs extra over the standard Daytona 675 ABS.

Price range in INR: ~7,00,000 onwards for a ~2016+ Daytona, the R version can go for marginally more.
Last known on-road price: ~12,50,000 for standard, ~13,90,000 for 675 R

Standard Daytona 675 ABS



The 675R came in matte grey color here in India and another white, with the red accents.





Average service costs in INR: ~7000-8000 per routine service
Service frequency: 10,000 km / 1 year

Pros

• Precision supersport missile, probably the benchmark for middleweight track bikes. Flawless supersport machine in short
• Fantastic triple motor with addictive power delivery and exhaust note
• Best in class handling and dynamics
• Pretty feature packed with quickshifter, Ohlins suspension, etc and the works for a 5 year old bike

Cons

• Committed supersport ergonomics may not be suitable for touring and may limit usage to just occasional breakfast rides
• Similar to the Street triple, the ground clearance and fuel sensitivity issues might be an issue
• Pillion support is non-existent (not that one should expect it in this segment anyway)
• Triumph service is notorious for high costs and poor workmanship. Niggles can lead to long waits and frustrating experiences.

Reviews and Ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ravensoul.html (Triumph Daytona 675 flies in! Welcome home, Ravensoul)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...superbike.html (Triumph Daytona 675R. A true everyday Superbike!)



Kawasaki Z800 ABS / Z900

Launch date: 2014 for Z800 ABS, 2017 for Z900
Facelifts: None. The Z800 (CBU) was discontinued in 2016 and Z900 was launched in 2017. The Z900 was based on a steel trellis frame, added 12bhp more power and weighed a whopping 21kg lighter than its outgoing predecessor and featured a lower seat height, apart from a few more goodies and redesigned look and feel overall. The 2020 facelift of the Z900 got riding modes, traction control and LED lights, but those will not matter for the older bikes so we can ignore them for now.

Z800
Price range in INR: ~5,00,000 onwards for a ~2015 bike
Last known on-road price: ~9,20,000




Z900
Price range: ~7,00,000 onwards for a ~2018+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~9,70,000




Average service costs in INR: ~6000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil is changed only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Fantastic naked street fighter hooligan from the Kawasaki stable and a lovely 800/900cc inline-4 engine putting out 113/125 bhp of power
• Looks futuristic and great balance of style and minimalism
• Kawasaki reliability and refinment along with tank like build quality
• Impressive dynamics, braking and handling

Cons

• Heavy bike at ~210 kg, weight will be felt at low and crawling speeds
• Ground clearance is something riders will have to be careful about
• Pillion ergonomics are horrible, taller riders will also have issues with seating comfort
• Being a low-slung naked, there is excessive windblast at high speeds. Aftermarket visors are a must for touring
• Instrument console is too basic and and could have included some more information
• Not many eletronics barring ABS on the pre-2020 Z900s and Z800s

Reviews and Ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

Z800:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...-now-sold.html (Godzilla! My monster from Japan. Kawasaki Z800- NOW SOLD !!! !!!)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...-page-3-a.html (My Kawasaki Z800. Now with Plasti Dip coating (page 3))


Z900:
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...omes-home.html (My 2019 Kawasaki Z900 - Bumblebee comes home)

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...ck-hornet.html (The Kawasaki Z900 comes home : My Black Hornet)



Kawasaki Versys 1000

Launch date: 2015
Facelifts: none. It was brought in as a CBU and discontinued officially before 2018 kicked in
Price range in INR: ~7,00,000 onwards for a ~2016 bike
Last known on-road price: ~13,30,000




Average service costs in INR: ~7000 per routine service
Service frequency: 6000 km / 6 months (oil is changed only once in 12,000 km / 1 year though)

Pros

• Most of the pros of the Versys 650 apply to this bike as well
• In addition, the Versys 1000 got switchable traction control
• The engine was more refined and came with a ~120bhp tune and a 1000cc inline-4 motor.

Cons

• Most of the cons of the Versys 650 apply to this bike as well
• The kerb weight of 255 kg makes it even more unwieldy to handle at crawling speeds than the 650cc sibling

Triumph Tiger 800

Launch date: 2014
Facelifts: The 2018 facelift boasted of numerous cosmetic and mechanical updates to the Tiger 800 range

Price range in INR: ~7,00,000 onwards for a ~2016+ bike, ~9,00,000 onwards for a ~2018+ bike
Last known on-road price: ~13,30,000 onwards for base variant




Average service costs in INR: ~10,000+ for routine service. Some services require extra work to be done and may cost as much as ~25,000.
Service frequency: 10,000 km / 1 year

Pros

• Brilliant triple motor with enough low end torque for offroad, high speed action on expressways and anything else you might want to do with the engine
• A++ ergonomics for rider and pillion, with great ride quality and comfort
• Superb build quality and built rugged, to tackle all kinds of terrain, and hence it is a true go-anywhere tourer.
• Superb fuel tank capacity to be able to tour long distances, built to handle even adulterated fuel in remote areas. Touring carefree is never a concern.

Cons

• Engine heat can get overwhelming in traffic and low speeds
• The unwieldy front-heavy and top-heavy weight can be frustrating to handle. Not a nimble machine
• Not the best on-road dynamics compared to its competition
• Poor OE headlight throw and weak horn warrant aux lights and horn replacements.
• Triumph service and maintenance costs can get prohibitively expensive as the bike ages.

Reviews and Ownership thread(s) on the forum for reference:

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...er-800-xr.html

https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/super...r-800-xrx.html

[Aditya]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[dailydriver]

I am not a biker, nor am I ever likely to be. But being a Bhpian, it would be a travesty not to read and benefit from such an impressively put together write up. Hats off KarthikK for your efforts in compiling this; it is encyclopaedic in its scope and very practical in purpose .

[ashwinprakas]

RTR180 should be added. Dual valve springs, and jetting so rich it'd give 200+ cc bikes a run for its money. The RTR series was really something.

I myself out on a whim is on the lookout for another motorcycle as unfortunately both my current ones have run around the same mileage and face maintenance related qualms at the same time, leaving me without a motorcycle to ride at times.

My budget is tight and at max I'm planning to stretch to about 25k for OHC motorcycles and 50k for a OHV motorcycle.

I've looked at quite a few options, the FZ16 for example can be bought for peanuts but being a Yamaha the maintenance is not as cheap as a Bajaj, hence defeating it's pricing. The RTR180 costs just about the same to buy used and not known to many the spare pricing is pretty high for an Indian motorcycle but TVS offering the best part quality amongst motorcycles it seems to be worth the effort.

We've shortlisted a motorcycle that's up for sale for 20k, it has been unused for a few years so we can't judge it's condition and mileage but then again RTR's aren't common in South of KL so options are also limited.

So that's that.

And BTW, ZMA is pricier than a CBR to maintain but worth the effort due to its unmatched ride quality and the P220 actually has plastics that are Uber Strong. I know cause I've had a head-on collision a few years ago that required me changing my fairing sub frame yet the panels are still stock.

Cheers,
A.P.

[KarthikK]

Originally Posted by dailydriver

I am not a biker, nor am I ever likely to be. But being a Bhpian, it would be a travesty not to read and benefit from such an impressively put together write up. Hats off KarthikK for your efforts in compiling this; it is encyclopaedic in its scope and very practical in purpose .

Thanks for the kind words, hope the list grows some more and many more good options are continuously added to it over time

Originally Posted by ashwinprakas

RTR180

Nothing to be ashamed of . I am after all human and this is one good option that has got missed in the flurry of names. Also, as I mentioned this list is only a starting point and many more discoveries like this will keep the thread evolving through members' contributions as well.

I'll add an entry on the Apache RTR series shortly, thanks for the suggestion. Or if you have more information you could do the same as well.

and instead the disgusting Honda Hornet has been mentioned. Dual valve springs, and jetting so rich it'd give 200+ cc bikes a run for its money.

There is no use pitting one bike against the other. What is disgusting for one sect of buyers may not be for the others.
Many commuter bike users don't want to know what is the meaning of valve or jet. They just want it to start and work every time they take it out. There are some bikes which appeal to the 'fill-it, shut-it, forget-it-until-the-next-service' type of customers who will find value in a Honda commuter and I added it for completeness from that point of view. Moreover it is a relatively new product and therefore contemporary, not all buyers go after 5-6+ year old outdated vehicles.

the P220 actually has plastics that are Uber Strong. I know cause I've had a head-on collision a few years ago that required me changing my fairing sub frame yet the panels are still stock.

I was not referring to crash testing rigidity of the plastics. I have had that bike for 7 years and 60k+ km myself, and would beg to differ on the plastics quality, the way it was put together and the zillion parts which would keep rattling everywhere and distracting from being able to ride it properly.

[PrasannaDhana]

That is a nice list there. Thank you for compiling it.

I myself have the experience of owning two such bikes from the enthusiast segment (pre owned Honda CBR250R and first gen Duke 390) and currently have the 2017 KTM RC 390(which you have referred here in the post ).

I bought both the used samples at 30% of the original new bike's cost. That's a steal if you ask me.

But for anyone who wants a peaceful entry level pre-owned sportsbike experience, I would strongly recommend the Honda CBR250R over any of the KTMs.

That bike is a freaking all rounder and is terrifically reliable. Loved every bit of my ownership with it.

[surjaonwheelz]

Excellent effort Karthik.

Honda Unicorn is one bullet proof bike in the commuter segment and has been around for ages!

For the big bikes,
- Kawasaki gives an excellent starting point with the 650s.
- ABS models should be preferred
- Z800 is one underdog
- Ninja 1K - You know better!

- Honda CBR650F is the pick for inline-fours to start with.

- Suzuki Vstrom can be your one bike do it all kind of adventures, even two-up.
- Suzuki GSX-S750 was sold in less numbers so is a difficult find but easy to maintain and modify.

- Triumph Tiger 800 will be on of the best options for two-up adventures. Triumph service and maintenance can be tricky though.

As some expert said, in buying a used Superbike your initial cost is less but your maintenance costs are same if not higher for the first few instances. Do keep that in mind.

Thanks for sharing.

/surjaonwheelz

[CrAzY dRiVeR]

Nice list.

Originally Posted by KarthikK

Kawasaki Versys 1000

The old Versys 1000 was a CBU and was priced closer to 16L on-road. Was almost twice the price of the 650 back then.

Resale prices are sweet in comparison. I almost traded in my Versys 650 for a 1000 just for an additional 2L asking price - but thankfully (timing couldn't have been worse, as we entered COVID lockdowns afterwards) didn't take up the offer.

Be sure to know what you are getting though! Its not an ADV - but a grand tourer of sorts.

[saisailendra]

Thank you so much for the information provided.

I weirdly developed an interest in bikes since the last 1 ~ 1.5 years. I have my heart set on the Daytona 675. I will surely get her in the coming years. There seems to be no information on the internet, more like a proper guide as how to go hunting for a premium used bike, specifically in India. Your thread shall surely provide the basic info and tips to many others like me.

I will keep following this thread for all the useful information.

[Abhi5868]

Excellent list sir . At a time when most of the commuter bikes cross 1lakh rupees on-road, Pre owned route presents an even better VFM proposition than it's four wheeler counterpart. Even more so because the Stakes are lower than buying a Pre owned car.

As a college student on a budget, I was in the market for a 200-400CC bike last year and having driven most of them extensively(Friend's circle)here's my two cents-
From what I've felt, a poorly kept bike shows it's age far more than a poorly maintained car. Since the use of plastics/fiber has been on the rise lately, make sure the rattles are within acceptable levels.

Bikes in the 200-400CC which holds themselves well(abuse-friendly)-

1. FZ series
2. RTR
3. Dominar400
4. D200
5. RS200/NS200

Please note that the above views are strictly personal.

[clementw]

Nice list!
Just curious that none of the TVS bikes made the list? Not good used buys?

[evilmessiah]

Buying a pre-worshipped bike can save big bucks. The caveat is 'pre-worshipped'. Getting a good one is the key. One should also know what they are getting into. Knowing your way around the bike can save big time if there is something that goes wrong.

I bought a CBR250 brand new back in '12 and my friend bought a used one that was a year or so older than mine (I think). Looking back, I feel that my friend got a better deal out of it. Since he was mechanically adept and did the maintenance and servicing all by himself, he hardly spent much on keeping it in running condition. I sold my bike at the end of last year and the difference in the on-road price and my sad resale price meant that I took a hit of about a lakh. My friend bought it for 80K and even if he sells it for 40K, he would only be out of 40K. Win for him.

Though I am kind of very much inclined towards an Interceptor (especially in that lovely shade of orange or silver), I think my biking days are over. It's simply more practical to rent a bike occasionally for the weekend and scratch that itch.

Miss that CBR, though. She was a peach, for sure. Good times.

Anyways, as AP said, wonder why TVS bikes were left out of the equation. Even I would have been interested in an RTR 180 for dailying if I were in the market for buying a used bike.