KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- One maxi-scooter is a wildcard entry in this list
- The following list is a range of the best two-wheelers from every category possible.
- The KTM 250 Adventure is the newest bike in this list.
- The BSA Gold Star is the biggest 650cc motorcycle available under Rs 3 lakh.
This is the season that attracts a lot of love and a lot of ridicule, depending on who you ask. If you're anything like us, we are certain you love the fragrance of petrol, or the rumbling of a single-cylinder filling the air as you barrel down the road.
This is also the season a lot of buyers will think more from their heart rather than their head, so we went ahead and compiled a list of the top bikes which won't break the bank.
These are some of the top bikes that are available within the Rs 3 lakh price bracket, and they belong to many different categories, catering to various kinds of riders. However, before going any further, make sure to join the 91wheels WhatsApp Community to keep up with the latest news and automotive updates!
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KTM 250 Adventure
The 250 Adventure has finally entered the new generation alongside its bigger sibling, and it could easily be the best adventure motorcycle in the 250cc category, given that the Suzuki V-Strom 250 SX is its closest competitor, which will likely not be as capable as the Austrian bike if taken off the road.
Sharing its platform with the 390 Adventure, the new 250 Adventure makes use of long travel suspension on both ends. It gets a 19-inch front and a 17-inch wheel setup, which may make it more suited for touring and road purposes, but that does not mean that the 250 Adventure will struggle off the road.
The 250 Adventure also comes packing with features like a 5-inch TFT screen with smartphone connectivity, turn-by-turn navigation, call/SMS alerts, music streaming, ride-by-wire, off-road ABS, off-road riding mode, adjustable footpegs, and a USB type-C port among other things. Could be yours for Rs 2.67 lakh (ex-showroom).
Triumph Speed 400
The Speed 400 is a special bike for many reasons, and if you're just about old enough, you will realize why. Remember when the KTMs came in for the first time? This was a similar moment, as Triumph was entering the mass-market segment for the first time, and according to reports, the 400cc platform helped increase its sales by 50% globally.
The Speed 400 may be produced locally, but it still feels very much like a Triumph in the way it is put together, in terms of the overall quality. While it may feel a bit compact for some people, the average buyer will find it easy to handle, and the power delivery will not be intimidating either. Rather, it has more than enough for the city, so don't be surprised if it makes you take it out to the open road and make it sing at higher RPMs.
While it misses out on navigation and connected technology, the Speed 400 is built on premium hardware, and it also gets things like dual-channel ABS, switchable traction control and adjustable levers. To round things off, this is a Triumph you can buy for Rs 2.40 lakh (ex-showroom).
BSA Gold Star 650
The BSA Gold Star 650 made its global debut at the end of 2021, but it was finally launched in India on Independence Day last year. With prices beginning from Rs 2.99 lakh (ex-showroom), the Gold Star 650 is easily the most affordable 650cc motorcycle you can get your hands on.
In this list of top bikes, this seems like a great motorcycle to spoil yourself with, especially if you really, really want a motorcycle with a truly analogue experience. There are no connected features to speak of here and no ride modes either. In fact, the instrument cluster is also a twin-analogue unit. Any one who seeks for a truly authentic motorcycling experience without the interruption of any electronics, especially in today's completely digital world, should look here.
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Yamaha R15
Stepping onto to the opposite, completely non-analogue side of things, the Yamaha R15 is where things get racy and fast. In this list of top bikes, this is for someone looking to enjoy the sporty side of two-wheels. At Rs 1.83 lakh (ex-showroom), the R15 is easily one of the most affordable sportsbikes in the country, making a great entry point for sportsbike lovers.
The R15 comes with golden USD forks and a monoshock, and some other things include traction control, an optional quickshifter, variable valve actuation, smartphone pairing, and other app-based features.
Hero Xtreme 250R
The newest entrant in the 250cc naked segment, the Xtreme 250R was also shown at the 2025 Auto Expo and it looks quite promising. It is built on an all-new platform, powered by a liquid-cooled 250cc engine producing 29.5bhp and 25Nm of torque, while paired to a 6-speed gearbox.
In terms of features, it packs in switchable dual-channel ABS, a TFT instrument cluster with bluetooth pairing, turn-by-turn navigation, music streaming, a lap timer, and a drag timer. As for the hardware, it gets 43mm USD forks and a six-step pre-load adjustable monoshock, along with a 320mm front disc and a 230mm rear disc, and 17-inch diamond-cut alloy rims.
The Xtreme 250R has a sharp, muscular design, and it is Hero's most powerful street motorcycle right now. It remains to be seen the kind of riding experience it will offer.
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Wild Card Entry: Hero Xoom 160
The Xoom 160 may not be a motorcycle at all, but it deserves being a wildcard entry in this list of top bikes.
This is the newest maxi-scooter in the Indian market, and its overall packaging has certainly raised interest among a lot of buyers. Coming in at Rs 1.49 lakh (ex-showroom), the Xoom 160 comes with a maxi-scooter design that actually looks quite close to a motorcycle, especially with the addition of those 14-inch wheels with block-pattern tyres. This will certainly sit well with those who do not want to compromise looks over practicality.
The Xoom 160 packs in quite a lot of modern tech for the price it comes at. It is powered by a 156cc, liquid-cooled powertrain, which is something very new for Hero MotoCorp. It also packs in keyless ignition, remote seat opening, a windscreen, an optional touring box, single-channel ABS, and a digital cluster with bluetooth connectivity and navigation among other things.
Verdict
These are some of the top bikes we think you might like to spoil yourself with. All the mentioned two-wheelers are certainly some of the best to begin with, while also packing a good amount of kit for not too big a price tag.
