[vinuchel]

Hi
I am posting an urgent query regarding the most reliable 2 wheeler options available.

Requirement
I have been recently transferred to an interior village in Odisha (working in a PSB, as posting, 30km from Berhampur). The only good place to stay is around 25km away from Branch. Branch location is very rural where there's 7km of country road without any streetlights. My job requires me to be in office till 7pm (8pm somedays) so am looking for the most reliable 2 wheeler in market now, for daily commute of 50km to and fro.

My only requirement is a vehicle which shouldn't give any issues on these country roads. Also good handling and braking required. I can compromise on ride comfort.

On road price 1.5 lakhs, which can be relaxed.

I request your kind suggestions soon.

[nova.19_exe]

If you're going towards bikes then Apache 200. Pretty good bike, performance wise, braking wise, etc. Damn sorted bike, no questions.

If scooters, then Activa. Reliability is bulletproof! But if a little bit of performance is needed, then the NTorq is available, and so is the Access!!

All of these are available under 1.5L ex-sh (Odisha)

[Ratan Prabhu]

Honda Shine, Unicorn, Hero Xtreme 160r, Apache RTR160 4v.

IMO, these are the most reliable bikes in the 1 to 1.5L bracket. Cheap to maintain also.

RTR 200 too as suggested above if you want more performance. But will cross 1.6-1.7L on road.

[3HAR6AV]

Honda SP160
Yamaha FZ / S
Xtreme 125
Raider 125
You can't go wrong with any of these bikes.

[It's Magic]

Originally Posted by vinuchel

I request your kind suggestions soon

You have not mentioned if you are looking for a bike or a scooter. Many economical bikes like the TVS Raider or Bajaj Freedom, or most of the scooters like the TVS Jupiter or Honda Activa, would be available for under 1.5 lakh rupees.

With 50 kms per day of running, I would recommend looking for fuel efficient bikes like the Honda Shine, TVS Raider or Bajaj Freedom.

Best of luck!

[Geo_Ipe]

Originally Posted by vinuchel

My Only requirement is a vehicle which shouldn't give any issues in these country roads.
Also good handling and braking required .
I can compromise on ride comfort .

If you are going to be in such a rural area, please go for the simplest motorcycle possible.

I'd choose the Hero Splendor, add a couple of LED aux lamps and ride it to work.

[Motard_Blr]

I had a few thoughts on your particular situation. Rural area means generally poor roads with no lighting. So good ride quality and headlight are important. But rural area also means limited choices. So you might have to manage with what is available or serviceable within your reach.

• If you want to enjoy the ride, I feel that TVS Apache range is really good. TVS bikes generally have good headlamp.
• If you want to own a reliable and comfortable motorcycle, pick Honda. They are middle of the road at everything.
• Yamahas are good to ride and reliable but a little expensive to service.
• Bajaj is good too but their bikes character varies so you should test ride to see how they feel to you.
• Hero bike are generally unremarkable. They aren't known for their quality.
• If you are open to stretching your budget, consider a Bullet. They are comfortable and now, reliable, too.

[amtak]

See what showroom is available between your place of work and place of residence. See what most rural folks are getting, pick that! It will come in handy in case of some failures as any local mechanic will be able to handle it post work hours too.

[bpapache]

Originally Posted by vinuchel

My only requirement is a vehicle which shouldn't give any issues on these country roads. Also good handling and braking required. I can compromise on ride comfort.

Hi,
Since you are going to be using this vehicle in a rural (and maybe remote) area, please check which service centres are available nearby. Your product shortlist must be based on what vehicle can be serviced easily in that area.

In today’s market, almost all the bikes under 1.5 lakh INR mark are fairly reliable.

My pick would be any air cooled 150-200cc motorcycle with fairly low tech. No fancy stuff. Easy on maintenance and serviceability.

Also, avoid any newly launched motorcycles.

Please don’t buy a scooter since the suspension travel will be less and hence unstable over rural broken roads. And also unsafe because of the very same reason.

[anjan_c2007]

Since you are working in a PSB, I am sure you will be able to afford a good car rather than a two wheeler for a 50 km daily commute. You say there is a 7 km stretch without streetlights to cover in the route.

Your own bank could provide you a car loan with a concessional interest rate. No doubt, the EMI's will also come along with the car, but in the interest of safety, a car should be a better choice.

Reliable cars from manufacturers who have a dealership in your area can be considered. Tata cars and Mahindra mini SUV's are good for negotiating rough stretches but both don't produce any entry level cars. Maruti sells their Alto/Swift/DZire/ Tour in rural areas but I am sure these start rattling in a while.

[salluks]

Two wheelers (most vehicles really) at the point are "solved". Unless you are unlucky and end up with a lemon, which can happen to anyone and with any vehicle, just go with whatever you like and it should be reliable and trustworthy enough. And it is rare in a country like India that there won't be anyone to help should you require any if the vehicle breaks down (which in itself would be VERY RARE).

[Sentau]

Originally Posted by amtak

see what showroom is available between your place of work and place of residence. See what most rural folks are getting, pick that! It will come in handy in case of some failures as any local mechanic will be able to handle it post work hours too.

This is the best advice. Most 100-160cc bikes are reliable these days but the one with good local support will be the best as you will have peace of mind due to the safety net.

[vrprabhu]

I agree with anjan. Riding 50 kms up and down everyday on rural roads is a tough task. Especially during monsoon. So an used car makes sense.

The next best option is given by amtak. Go with the locals. They have the benefit of experience.

Did you consider what you will do with the vehicle, once you are transferred elsewhere again? Also, any bike will show the strain of daily grind - so bikes which are sturdier and abuse friendly, should make the cut. And, this is a good opportunity to get your hands dirty on doing routine maintenance yourself.

(Based on my experience of being in a similar situation (in the 90s). No petrol available in 20 kms radius of the place of work - that was the Taluk HQ. Mechanics, Spares none available. In fact there were only a handful of bikes when I landed there)

[Ritz2010]

If you are in tier-2 city please don't go for scooters. The puny tyres can't handle any unevenness let alone potholes.

Go for bikes with fat and tubeless tyres.

[humyum]

I was wondering, why not an Xpulse? With the huge suspension travel, it would handle rural roads very well. Also, on road price is around 1.8, a little over your budget but.