India is one of the largest markets for commuter motorcycles in the world. These bikes are light on the pocket and can take you to your destination while negotiating heavy traffic. And while the demand for commuter bikes has always been high in the country, the pandemic has led to a surge in the sales of entry-level motorcycles as people are moving towards personal mobility from public transportation. With the second wave of COVID-19 wreaking havoc, industry experts believe that more people will switch to personal vehicles and avoid using buses and metros. If you too are gravitating towards a personal vehicle and want a motorcycle that does the job without burning a hole in your pocket, then these are the top five options you can consider. All these bikes are under ₹70,000 budget (ex-showroom, Delhi).
Top commuter bikes under ₹70,000
1. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS
Bajaj Platina 110 ABS is the only motorcycle in the segment to get ABS provision. It gets 240 mm front disc brake with rear drum brake while the suspension duties are tended to by telescopic forks and nitrox spring-on-spring suspension. The commuter bike also gets tubeless tyres, LED headlamp with integrated DRL and an analogue instrument console with ABS indicator. Bajaj Platina 110 ABS is powered by a 115 cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine with electronic fuel injection. This powerplant delivers a maximum power output of 8 bhp at 7,000 rpm and 10 Nm of peak torque at 5,000 rpm. The bike is available with a five-speed gearbox and has a top speed of 90 km/h.
Bajaj Platina 110 H ABS performance figures: 8 bhp, 10 NmBajaj Platina 110 H ABS price: ₹65,920 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
2. TVS Star City Plus
TVS Star City Plus has been a very popular commuter motorcycle and makes for a good value-for-money proposition. The BS6 model, launched last year, comes sporting some interesting design changes to make the bike appear sportier than before. The bike also gets LED headlamp and a semi-digital instrument console that offers all the essential readouts. The bike is propelled by a 110 cc engine which puts out 8 bhp and 9 Nm. This engine makes use of fuel-injection technology instead of carburettor but is still coupled to a four-speed transmission. The motorcycle, as standard, gets drum brakes but customers can also opt for the variant with a front disc brake.
TVS Star City Plus performance specs: 8 bhp, 9 NmTVS Star City Plus price: ₹66,895 - ₹69,465 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
3. Hero Splendor iSmart
Hero Splendor iSmart was the first BS6-compliant motorcycle to be launched in India. It comes powered by a 113.2 cc fuel-injected as opposed to the 109.15 cc unit on the BS 4 model. This engine delivers 9 bhp,10 Nm of peak torque, and is available with a four-speed transmission. Besides receiving a cleaner powerplant, the new Splendor iSmart BS 6 also gets a new diamond frame, a longer wheelbase, 180 mm of ground clearance, and improved long-travel suspension setup. The suspension duties are taken care of by telescopic forks with five-step adjustable rear hydraulic shocks while the braking force comes from 130 mm drum brakes as standard. However, customers can also opt for 240 mm front disc brake, albeit at a premium. The Splendor iSmart gets iSmart idle-stop start technology and XSens sensor technology.
Hero Splendor iSmart performance figures: 9 bhp, 10 NmHero Splendor iSmart price: ₹67,250 to ₹69,450 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
4. Hero Passion Pro
Hero Passion Pro was launched in India last year and is based on an all-new diamond frame. The bike also offers higher ground clearance of 180 mm as compared to the predecessor, and this makes the new Passion Pro very suitable for Indian road conditions. The bike is powered by a fuel-injected, 110 cc engine that makes 9 bhp and 10 Nm of peak torque. This is nine per cent more power and 22 per cent more torque than the 100 cc Hero Passion. The bike, however, is available with a four-speed gearbox. As for the features, the new Passion Pro gets a semi-digital instrument panel for information like speed, trip meter, real-time fuel efficiency, odometer, clock, etc. Hero Passion Pro also gets Auto Sail technology and i3S Idle Stop-start system.
Hero Passion Pro performance specs: 9 bhp, 10 NmHero Passion Pro price: ₹69,950 to ₹70,350 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
5. Honda Livo
If you want a sportier-looking commuter bike then Honda Livo fits the bill. The new Livo gets new front visor, chiselled tank shrouds, and a muscular fuel tank. The bike also gets blacked-out mechanical bits, black alloy wheels, new body graphics, and body-coloured mirrors, all of which make the new model appear a bit more sporty than the predecessor. The motorcycle is equipped with features like a semi-digital instrument console, ACG silent-start system and side-stand indicator with engine cutoff. Powering this bike is a 109 cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine that puts out 8 bhp and 9 Nm. This powerplant is available with a four-speed transmission. Honda Livo makes use of telescopic front forks and five-step adjustable rear suspension while braking duties are tended to by front and rear drum brakes as standard with CBS (combi-braking system). However, customers do have the option of a front disc brake, although that will take the price of the bike over ₹70,000.
Honda Livo performance specs: 8 bhp, 9 NmHonda Livo price: ₹69,971 - ₹74,171 (ex-showroom, Delhi)