The Garage / 126cc - 200cc

Best 126cc - 200cc Bikes in India 2026

The 126cc to 200cc band is the step up from commuting — 26 models from 10 brands, from Rs.1.10 lakh for the TVS Ntorq 150 to Rs.2.21 lakh for the KTM RC 200.

This is where Indian buyers trade a little economy for genuine usability: enough power to hold 70 to 80 kmph comfortably, overtake with a pillion aboard and handle the occasional highway run, while still returning close to 50 kmpl. Most of the segment sits between Rs.1.1 lakh and Rs.1.3 lakh, where the competition is as fierce as anywhere in the Indian market and the differences between bikes come down to detail.

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Bikes listed: 9+
Brands

Why this band is the sweet spot

A 125cc commuter runs out of breath the moment you add a pillion and a flyover. A 250cc costs meaningfully more to buy, insure and run. The 150cc to 160cc class sits between the two and, for a rider whose journeys are mostly urban with occasional longer trips, it is usually the most sensible purchase in the whole market.

You keep most of the economy — the eight models here with a published ARAI figure average about 47 kmpl — while gaining the ability to ride at highway speeds without the engine feeling strained.

The main contenders

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 at Rs.1.11 lakh is the long-running benchmark. The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at Rs.1.16 lakh claims 41.4 kmpl and is the sportier handling choice, while the Bajaj Pulsar N160 at Rs.1.17 lakh claims 51.6 kmpl.

For unfussy reliability, the Honda Unicorn at Rs.1.14 lakh and Honda SP160 at Rs.1.16 lakh are the refined options. They are less exciting than the Apache but smoother over long periods in the saddle.

Scooters and retros

Not everything here is a commuter motorcycle. The TVS Ntorq 150 at Rs.1.10 lakh is the cheapest bike in the band and a performance scooter rather than a geared bike, worth considering if you want the acceleration without the gear changes.

The Kawasaki W175 at Rs.1.15 lakh is the retro option — a simple 177cc roadster carrying a premium badge at Indian-brand money.

What to check before buying

Brakes matter more than power in this class. Look for a disc at the front as a minimum and check whether ABS is single or dual channel, since the difference is meaningful at the speeds these bikes reach.

Weigh the riding position too. The sportier bikes here lean you forward, which is fine for an hour and tiring for three. Three of the 26 models listed are discontinued, so confirm production status before planning a dealer visit.

Where this band sits against its neighbours

Against 125cc and below, you gain the ability to hold highway speeds and overtake with a pillion, and you give up roughly 12 kmpl on average. Against the 201cc to 500cc band above, you keep meaningfully better economy and lower insurance while giving up relaxed cruising above 90 kmph.

For a rider whose journeys are mostly city with an occasional longer run, this is usually the most sensible purchase in the entire market — which is exactly why so many manufacturers fight over it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best bike between 126cc and 200cc in India?

The Bajaj Pulsar 150 at Rs.1.11 lakh is the long-standing benchmark. The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at Rs.1.16 lakh is the sportier handler at 41.4 kmpl, and the Bajaj Pulsar N160 at Rs.1.17 lakh claims 51.6 kmpl. For refinement, the Honda Unicorn at Rs.1.14 lakh is the smoother choice.

What is the price of 150cc to 200cc bikes in India?

Models in the 126cc to 200cc band listed here range from Rs.1.10 lakh for the TVS Ntorq 150 to Rs.2.21 lakh for the KTM RC 200. The mainstream 150cc to 160cc motorcycles cluster between Rs.1.1 lakh and Rs.1.3 lakh ex-showroom.

How many 126cc to 200cc bikes are available in India?

There are 26 models from 10 brands in this band — TVS, Bajaj, Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Aprilia, Vespa, Suzuki, Hero and KTM. It covers commuter motorcycles, sport commuters, performance scooters and retro roadsters. Three are discontinued.

Is a 150cc bike better than a 125cc?

For most riders, yes. A 125cc runs out of breath with a pillion on a flyover, while a 150cc holds 70 to 80 kmph comfortably and overtakes cleanly. You give up some mileage — this band averages about 47 kmpl against roughly 59 kmpl for 125cc and below — but gain genuine usability.

Which 126cc-200cc bike gives the best mileage?

Among the eight models here with a published ARAI figure, the Bajaj Pulsar N160 leads at 51.6 kmpl, followed by the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V at 41.4 kmpl. The band average is about 47 kmpl. Expect roughly 10 to 15 percent less in real-world riding.

What should I check when buying in this class?

Brakes before power — look for a front disc as a minimum and check whether ABS is single or dual channel, which matters at the speeds these bikes reach. Also weigh the riding position, since the sportier models lean you forward in a way that is fine for an hour and tiring for three.