If you are looking for a motorcycle that delivers class-leading performance, feels sporty yet comfortable, and is priced near two lakh rupees, the Bajaj Dominar 400 is the closest answer. Its 349cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, paired with a six-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch, makes about 40.6PS and 33.2Nm of torque. Built on a rigid perimeter frame, it gets 43mm front USD forks and a Nitrox monoshock at the rear. Paired with fat radial tyres and large disc brakes, it provides excellent high-speed stability, sharp handling, and precise control. Its tech suite, consisting of ride-by-wire, dual-channel ABS, traction control, four riding modes, and a connected display, supports you in varying riding conditions. Pre-loaded with touring accessories, such as a tall visor, knuckle guards, engine belly protector, GPS mount, pillion back stopper and rear carrier mount, it is a tour-ready machine straight out of the factory.
However, the asking price of Rs 2.04 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) leaves room for other interesting options. So, if you’re not a fan of sporty cruisers and are looking for a motorcycle with a different character, here’s what else you can get for around the same money.
TVS Apache RTX 300
Price: Rs 1.99–2.34 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
If you are looking for a more rounded touring machine that is equally capable on- and off-road, consider the TVS Apache RTX 300. It is a serious adventure motorcycle built on a hybrid trellis frame with a long travel suspension setup, offering impressive handling on trails. Its top-spec BTO version even gets fully adjustable front and rear suspension that you can tune to your taste or according to the riding conditions. It also gets a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear wheel set with wide dual-sport tyres for control and traction over varying terrains.
Powered by a 299cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine, it offers 36PS and 28.5Nm of torque at your disposal. It comes paired with a six-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch and even gets a bi-directional quickshifter in the higher variants. It comes with a premium TFT display console with a long list of connected features, including map mirroring and GoPro control. A comprehensive electronics package that includes four ride modes, multi-level traction control, switchable ABS, cruise control, and tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) makes it feel more like a bike priced significantly above its asking price. If you want a motorcycle that can commute through city roads on Monday and explore broken mountain trails on Saturday, this is worth every rupee.
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Price: Rs 1.99–2.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Not every ride is about pace, cornering angles or conquering trails. If you want an old-school cruiser to roll down an open road on a Sunday morning, yet feel at home, the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is built for you. Built on the same J-series platform as the latest Bullet and Classic 350s, this one churns out about 20PS and 27Nm from the refined new 349cc, air/oil-cooled single. While the numbers may not look impressive on paper, the long-stroke engine delivers its peak torque at just 4,000rpm, offering a strong low- and mid-range pull.
It also brings decent features, including front and rear disc brakes, dual-channel ABS, slipper clutch, LED lighting, and a digital-analogue instrument cluster that complements its retro charm. Royal Enfield, however, offers a small Tripper screen pod that adds smartphone connectivity and features like navigation and call/SMS alerts. Its different trims offer options across styling and features, such as matte black/chrome finishes, pillion backrest, a tall windscreen, and more. If the Dominar feels too sporty and focused for you, the Meteor 350 trades off outright performance for comfort and accessibility.
Triumph Speed T4
Price: Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
The Speed T4 is another neo-retro machine, but in the roadster form. It brings the iconic Triumph badge, along with a premium finish and a refined 349cc, 4-valve, liquid-cooled single, in an actually accessible price range. The engine is tuned to produce about 29PS and 29Nm, and comes paired with a six-speed gearbox and a slipper clutch for seamless shifting.
While its design is inspired by iconic Triumph classics, everything underneath the skin is modern engineering. Based on a hybrid perimeter frame, it features quite a sophisticated suspension setup, providing it with precise handling. Plus, a wide 150/70-section rear tyre, a premium ByBre braking setup with a four-piston front calliper, and Bosch dual-channel ABS give it excellent control. It is genuinely a sportsbike in the classic disguise, and its 16,000km service interval further sweetens the deal.
KTM 250 Duke
Price: Rs 2.21 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
From radical appearance to performance and handling, the KTM 250 Duke is sharp in every aspect. Based on a super-rigid steel trellis frame supported by a performance-tuned WP APEX suspension setup, this motorcycle will make you feel your ride. A set of lightweight alloys, shod with premium radial tyres and large disc brakes with Supermoto ABS, combinedly offers excellent grip and handling. Top it off with a 5-inch bonded glass TFT display, a Quickshifter+ for clutchless up and downshifts, Bluetooth connectivity with navigation, and a track screen with telemetry, and you have one of the most performance-tech-packed machines on this list.
Its 249cc liquid-cooled engine produces about 31PS and 25Nm, but it is the track-level hardware that really sets it apart. Its stiff setup might limit the miles you can churn in a go, but the 250 Duke makes for the most fun motorcycle, whether you are tearing through the city streets or spending a weekend carving up some curvy ghat roads with your friends.
Suzuki Gixxer SF 250
Price: Rs 1.90 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Coming from a lineage of legendary sport machines, such as the Hayabusa and GSX-R series, the Gixxer SF 250 carries a little of that DNA in its fully faired, sporty form. While that aerodynamic fairing makes it appear like a committed supersport bike, it is actually a comfortable sports tourer.
Built on a lightweight chassis, the bike weighs just 163kg, making it easy to manage in urban streets. Meanwhile, its composed suspension makes a perfect balance between stability and comfort when you are cruising on highways. The wide radial tyre set and a decent braking setup with dual-channel ABS further boost control and confidence. Powering it is a 249cc oil-cooled engine, producing 26.5PS and 22.2Nm, delivered through a 6-speed gearbox. While it is not the most powerful 250 around, it is a very refined motor with linear delivery, and considering its weight, the performance should not be that blunt.
It is the most affordable motorcycle on this list, yet it features a digital display with a host of connected features, including navigation, alerts, digital storage, and more. If you don’t require Dominar’s performance and want to save a few grand, the idea of getting a proper faired sports tourer from a manufacturer respected globally for its long-term durability sounds wiser.
