BI India Badass Bike Awards 2015

Bajaj launched the next generation of the most affordable cruiser in the country. With the 220 variant, Bajaj also brought in a 150cc option.

The 150cc air-cooled DTS-i engine offers 14.3 BHP and 12.5Nm of torque. Add a smoother five-speed gearbox with a longer wheel base, and resulting ride quality is way more comfortable.

At Rs 75,000, the Avenger is at par with other 150cc options, and would be better for that weekend trip. The only sore point is shares the design with its dad, the older Avenger. That might come off a bit of a disappointment to many.

Yamaha YZF-R3 was one of the most awaited bikes of 2015 for adrenaline junkies across the country.

R3 was YZF-R15 on steroids, and judging by the popularity of the latter, the excitement was palpable. The R3 sports a 321cc parallel twin unit and churns out 42PS and 29.6Nm of torque.

The bike is extremely comfortable for long distances and is fun to drive. Its Achilles’ heel is the absence of ABS which should have been available, at least as an option.

At Rs 3.25 lakhs, the R3 is a powerhouse in your garage that you’ll enjoy to bits.

The RS200 is the first fully faired bike from Bajaj.

The OTT (over the top) looks mean you either love it, or hate it. There is no ‘chalega’ (OK) here. Sharing the same engine as the 200NS, this one churns out 24.5PS and 18.6Nm. It’s also more refined and handles better than the NS.

The RS200 is undoubtedly the most aggressive looking affordable performance motorcycle in India today. At Rs 1.20 lakhs for the non-ABS variant and Rs 1.32 lakhs for the ABS variant, it’s even priced aggressively.

Honda’s CBR 650F is an awesome 650cc Sports Tourer. While it might look a bit dated, the CBR 650F is the first four-cylinder motorcycle to be assembled in India. The 648.7cc, liquid-cooled engine churns out 85.3 BHP and 62.9Nm of torque.

This revv-happy bike ensures you ride a huge wave of torque every time you gas the engine, and the power delivery is extremely linear and usable. However, the Rs. 7.2 lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi) price tag is the mammoth in the house.

One of the most badass bikes in the Ducati stable, the Scrambler is the most unique motorcycle in India today.

The Scrambler’s 803cc L-twin motor makes 74.78PS and 68Nm. Add to that it’s aggressive Italian DNA, and you get an aspirational motorcycle every enthusiast in India would look up to.

Thanks to the Rs 6.78 lakhs price tag, the Scrambler might also be the most affordable Ducati for several bike enthusiasts.

The Ducati Monster 821 is the most successful Ducati worldwide, and it plans to do the same in India.

With its naked looks and 112bhp Testastretta 11 powerhouse, this bike weighs a mere 179.5kgs. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres and Brembo braking system inspire much confidence, and ABS is offered as standard.

The Ducati Monster 821 has been priced at 9,29,000 onwards (ex-showroom, Haryana), but it’s still a sweet deal.

Honda’s premium 1500cc offerings have flopped in the past. I mean the Dazzler and CB Trigger. The company wants to return to winning ways with the CB Hornet 160R.

The Unicorn 160 and Hornet 160R share the same engine. However, the latter makes marginally more power and torque at 15.9PS and 14.8Nm.

With the premium 150cc segment now littered with stalwarts like the Yamaha FZ and Suzuki Gixxer, the CB Hornet 160R would surprise you. It also returns better fuel efficiency, thanks to Honda’s HET technology.

With a Rs 79,900 price tag for the non-CBS version, the Unicorn 160 has showed it means business.

The Gixxer has been a great all-rounder. In 2015, Suzuki just upped everything with the Gixxer SF.

The SF gets a 154.9cc air-cooled unit that churns out 14.8PS and 14Nm of torque. Add to that the meaty engine and amazing handling, it’s a value proposition.

May I remind, at around Rs. 83,000, the SF is also the most affordable fully faired-offering in India currently. Need we say more?