PICS: The BEST commuter bikes in India

Bikedekho.com's Jyotsana Gupta lists out the most efficient commuter bikes to hit the Indian roads.

Ever since the time when motorbikes were first introduced in India, the country's bike market has been under the solitary reign of lightweight commuters that fall in the engine-capacity range of 100cc to 110cc. It is their excellent fuel-efficiency, unmatched reliability, easy handling and affordability that enables these motorcycles to enjoy the status of India's hot favourites even after so many years.

Presently, these commuters constitute the volume segment of the industry, holding nothing less than a 65 per cent share in the market. And it is the best of these very popular bikes that we bring to you today, ranking them according to the level of innovation that they showcase in their designs.

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Bajaj Discover 100T

Recognised as the most technically advanced 100cc commuter bike in India, the all new Bajaj Discover 100T (where T stands for Tourer) is not more than a month old. Just last month, on January 7, the bike was launched at an introductory price of Rs 50,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi), becoming the first 100cc motorbike ever to be blessed with the fabulous 4-valve DTS-i technology of Bajaj Auto.

Housing a powerful 102cc mill under its hood, the maximum power and torque ratings that this new entrant features are 10.06bhp at 9000rpm and 9.2Nm at 6500rpm respectively, with the power output outrunning all competition by at least a margin of 30 per cent.

Besides this immense force, Discover 100T also has a fantastic mileage of 87kmpl to offer its buyers, which makes it a very attractive deal. What adds more value to this great package are traits like electric start, DC headlamps, auto-choke and gas-filled Nitrox suspension.

Hero MotoCorp Passion XPRO

With an engine that carries the excellence of Honda, outfit that is one of the best that the Hero camp has ever designed and features that take comfort and safety to all new heights, Hero MotoCorp Passion XPRO is one of the best offerings of the 110cc bike market today.

Rolled out in the month of November last year, this motorcycle comes at a starting price of Rs 46,800 (ex-showroom, New Delhi) and is the last to sport the Hero badge while being driven by a Honda power-house.

A similar 109.1cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder, OHC mill powers this Indian motorbike that works for the Japanese CB Twister.

Mated to a 4-speed constant mesh gearbox, this efficient engine churns out a maximum of 8.58bhp at 7500rpm while pumping out a peak 9.36Nm at 5500rpm. On the technical front, Passion XPRO comes geared with an advanced APDV ignition system, maintenance free battery, a digital-analogue combo front console, viscous paper pleated air filter amongst several other high-tech additions that make it a truly marvellous ride.

Honda Dream Yuga

Available at a starting price of Rs 44,657 (ex-showroom, Delhi), Honda Dream Yuga is a remarkable blend of power, performance and style that was launched in India last year in August. Holding a stark resemblance with its elder sibling CB Shine, this young entrant gets to flaunt a body-frame that provides ample room and comfort for both riders, allows the driver to assume an easy seating posture and looks trendy thanks to the stylish body graphics that adorn it.

As for the mechanical part, a 109cc, 4-stroke engine that is capable of generating a top 8.5bhp at 7500rpm along with a maximum torque of 8.91Nm at 5500rpm drives the Dream Yuga, which makes it just as good as the segment goes (leaving out the Bajaj Discover 100T, of course).

However, what makes this motorbike better than its rivals is its Intelligent Ignition system, exceptionally smooth 4-speed gearbox and single down tube chassis that enables it to be a light and vibration-free ride despite its large dimensions.

Bajaj Discover 100

Bajaj Discover 100 4G, a 100cc commuter belonging to the fleet of the second largest manufacturer of motorbikes in India, has a whole lot of exciting features to offer in each and every segment, be it performance, safety, comfort or styling.

While the low maintenance battery and ExhausTec technology work to improve the performance of the bike, the Nitrox suspension and electric-start make the ride all the more comfortable.

From safety point of view, twin pilot lamps, pass switches and a superb road grip together put up a pretty strong front, while styling is assisted by the presence of sporty alloy wheels and classy body graphics. To power this smart and sporty ride, a 94.38cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder engine has been put to work by Bajaj Auto that is capable of generating peak power and torque outputs of 7.59bhp at 7500rpm and 7.85Nm at 5000rpm respectively.

Hero MotoCorp Splendor Plus

Hero MotoCorp Splendor, formerly Hero Honda Splendor, is a bike that has been around for as long as anyone in the present generation can remember. Having gone through a number of updates and upgrades over all these years, this iconic ride is currently available in 4 different models, namely, Splendor Plus, Splendor NXG, Super Splendor and Splendor PRO.

Of these four, Splendor Plus is not only the most experienced, having been introduced in the year 2004, but also the most trusted model in India.

Powered by an air-cooled, 4-stroke, single cylinder, 97.2cc, OHC mill, Hero MotoCorp Splendor Plus promises peak power and torque outputs of 7.4bhp at 8000rpm and 7.95Nm at 5000rpm respectively.

To transfer this power to the wheels, a 4-speed constant mesh transmission gearbox has been employed by the Delhi-based manufacturer. As for the price, the spoke wheel version of the bike costs Rs 42,950 while the cast wheel model is available for Rs 43,950 (ex-showroom, New Delhi).