Top 10 most popular bikes in India

They've been the lifeline of middle class Indians as well as rich boys' toys. Mansi Malhotra of BikeDekho.com lists out some of the finest bikes on the Indian roads today.

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10. Hero MotoCorp CBZ Xtreme

Hero MotoCorp CBZ Xtreme earlier known as Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme is at the 10th

position on the popularity chart. The bike was introduced in 2008 and has been an icon for style and good looks ever since.

After the sad breakup -- okay not literally break up but this just adds to the melodrama -- the bike is in the market under the Hero MotoCorp umbrella.

The 149.2 cc bike has decent looks, fair mileage of about 43-45kmpl, a power of 10.6 kw and a torque of 12.80 Nm.

No doubt the bike looks decent (you might differ though but everyone is entitled to an opinion) and gives a decent performance too... but the 'Live off the Edge' and the stylish calligraphic 'Xtreme' campaign is a little over the top for this bike.

It ain't that great... or is it?

Courtesy:

9. Honda CBF Stunner

At number nine we have the Honda Stunner which starts from Rs 56,000 approximately (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The 124.7 cc bike with a power of 11 Bhp at 1000 rpm, torque of 11 Nm at 6500 rpm and a mileage of 52 kmpl, looks masculine which, if the positioning is to be believed, is an attractive, eye catching machine for the girls. No wonder, the popularity is high!

Hero Ignitor has very similar looks and a lot of features match too, but the Stunner wins in two basic aspects: maintenance and acceleration.

Honda Stunner has the Viscous Air Filter which helps in lowering maintenance costs and demands. Hero Ignitor can go from 0 to 60 in 6.2 seconds whereas Honda Stunner can go do the same in 5.3 seconds.

Now, I don't know about the effects of the bike on the girls, but the low cost and acceleration certainly will lure the guys.

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8. Honda Shine

Honda CB Shine, the common man's ride, is at number eight on the list of 10 most popular bikes in India.

The bike first came into existence in 2006 under the HMSI banner. Honda and Hero bikes at the last three positions show that even if the split has affected both the companies they are still as good individually and soon enough they might prove dangerous to each other and others in the market.

Coming back to the bike, it is a 124.7 cc bike which delivers a mileage of around 65 kmpl and is priced at around Rs 51,409.

Disc brakes, tubeless tyres, easy handling, superior comfort, decent looks; Honda Shine has it all.

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7. Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si

The Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si, introduced in September 2008 is at the seventh position on the popularity charts. With sales of more than 30,000 units per month this bike is second to none other.

This 124.58 cc bike offers an impressive mileage of 70-80 kmpl. Bajaj Platina has a top speed of 91 kmph.

Ride control feature with this bike helps in controlling/tuning the speed according to the riding condition, and thus helps in bettering the fuel economy. Another benefit of the bike is that there is minimum need for gear change.

At a Rs 35,524 (ex-showroom) the Bajaj Platina 125 DTS-Si proves to be a pocket-friendly bike for the pocket-conscious people.

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6. Yamaha YZF R15

Riding at number six is the Yamaha YZF R15. Now here is a 150 cc bike which has the looks of a sportsbike.

The company claims and we don't differ much. This bike delivers environmental performance making it a perfect bike for 'Urban Supersports' (I didn't create this phrase, Yamaha did. I am merely restating it here). The price of the delicious looking machine is Rs 1,08,000 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi).

The looks are enhanced by the splendid colours that the bike comes in with. The smart Racing Blue, the mystical Midnight Black, the stunning Sunset Red along with the WGP 50th Anniversary Limited Edition bike, which in breathtaking combination of white and red and the Special Edition Fiery Red, look at any of these and if you don't drool then look again, because you surely will.

It's a fantastic looking bike in this segment and once you drive it you would know where did the tag line 'Yes Yamaha!' come from.

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5. Royal Enfield Classic

The ride of the royals is at number five. The majestic Royal Enfield Classic 500cc and 350cc are one of their kind. The aura of this bike is far superior to any other. No matter how hard I try to be unbiased it shows itself up; this is one of my personal favourites. Now this is a bike which has a lineage of over 64 years, since 1948 when it first went into production.

This bike isn't one of the best bikes in terms of mileage but the respect and command it demands and receives is what brings this bike in this list of top 10 most popular bikes.

Royal Enfield Classic -- truly, 'born of a rich heritage and bred with royal elegance.'

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4. Bajaj Discover

At the fourth position is the Bajaj Discover. Recently, within the span of a month Bajaj launched the Bajaj Discover 100 4G and Bajaj Discover 125 ST. The price range for Bajaj Discover is Rs 41,736 to Rs 47,030 (ex-showroom, New Delhi). Bajaj Discover with their 'Discover India with the power of 1 litre' positioned Discover as one of the most fuel efficient bikes in their specific segment, making them very popular.

The company claims mileage of the bike is 82 kmpl in the city. In 2008, the 100 cc segment Discover DTS-Si sold about 1,00,000 units within the first 50 days of its launch. It was this bike that helped Bajaj make its standing in the commuter segment.

With Pulsar's launch that happened a decade ago, Bajaj redefined biking in India. With the continuous launches of the Discover series, is Bajaj trying to stay 'Distinctly Ahead'? Only time can tell...

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3. Hero Karizma

The splendid looking Hero Karizma is at number three in my list. The bike has a sporty stance with 223 cc displacement and a torque of 18.35 Nm at 6000 rpm.

The top speed delivered by the bike is 125 kmph.

This sports bike has had an association with the ever so popular adventure game MTV Roadies and the partnership still continues making this bike even more desirable amongst Indian youth.

It's a lusty beauty available at a price of Rs 75,100 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi). It has two variants, the Hero Karizma R and the Hero Karizma ZMR. ZMR is the successor for R.

The differences between the two bikes are the design of fairing, a different headlight, digital speedometer that is not available in the R. ZMR has the rear disc brakes and rear swing arm suspension that are missing in the previous version.

The new ZMR has a fuel injection system instead of the carburetor. This bike was launched in 2003 and created the magic and trend of sportsbikes in India. Before Karizma's advent, sports bikes weren't as popular.

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2. Yamaha Fazer

Yamahar Fazer, the bike that says 'No distance too far' stands at number two. The bike has a displacement of 153 cc and looks that makes it stand apart.

The bike is a decent ride overall with a power of 14Ps and a mileage of 43.4 kmpl in the city. The bike starts from a modest price of Rs 72,000 approximately (ex-showroom, New Delhi). The bike goes up to 108.8 kmph and accelerates from 0 to 60 in merely 5.2 seconds.

The brand has been associated with John Abraham for quite some time now. This association has helped Yamaha build a place in the minds of the bike enthusiasts. Okay, maybe most of the hardcore riders wouldn't be affected by a brand ambassador but by and large the number of people who associate the brand with the endorser is too huge to ignore.

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1. Bajaj Pulsar

Presenting the most popular bike in the country -- no prizes for guessing -- the most popular bike in the country. Even after a decade the drum rolls Bajaj Pulsar Series ranks first in the list of most popular bikes.

This series of bikes has taken Bajaj up and away to the top and helps Bajaj stay put at that position. The riders just don't seem to get enough of this range. This might not be a favourite amongst the bike enthusiasts but the general public seems to love this to no limit.

The series has a range of bikes starting from 135 cc, 150 cc, 180 cc to 220 cc. The newly unveiled Bajaj Pulsar 200 NS will soon be added to this list.

The bike is ever so glorious in a price range of Rs 52,997 to Rs 100,000 approximately. The first Pulsar model was the 150 cc one and since that launch Bajaj has not looked back.

Till April 2012, Pulsar has sold more than five million units. This number in itself says a lot about the bike. Whether you personally like the bike or not, the numbers are continuing to make Bajaj Pulsar very happy and the popularity of this bike is simply unmatched.

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