India is one of the largest producers and consumers of bikes in the world. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that two Indian brands – Bajaj Auto and Hero MotoCorp are in the top 5 largest bike manufacturers in the world. The popular bike manufacturers in India are Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Honda, TVS, and Yamaha.
Most bike enthusiasts and conventional commuters consider purchasing a bike as one of the biggest decisions they have to make. With so many options available in the market, it can be very difficult to choose that bike that suits your style and budget. Though most of the bike manufacturers in the country sell bikes across all price ranges, one of the most popular bike segment is the commuter bike.
To help you choose the right commuter bike, we decided to review nine bikes under 50k in order to answer the uncommon question – Which bike to purchase within 50k?
In order to do this, we decided to select nine popular bikes from the market that are priced below 50k and have an engine capacity of less than 125 cc. The nine bikes selected for this review belong to various manufacturers – both international and indigenous. These reviews consist of the specifications of all the bikes, their ride quality, trivia about few of their predecessors, and their pros and cons.
Top Nine aBikes Below 50k are:
9) Yamaha Saluto RX
Yamaha is a premium bike manufacturer popular all around the world for its high-quality, reliable, and efficient bikes. The Yamaha Saluto RX is an exceptional commuter bike manufactured by Yamaha for the Indian public. It feels like a joy ride when you’re commuting to work on a daily basis, given its improved suspension and riding comfort. The pickup is also commendable for a bike in this range.
The Saluto RX is powered by a 110 cc engine that has the ability to produce a maximum power of 7.39 bhp at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 8.50 Nm at 4,500 rpm. This motorbike can achieve a top speed of 90 kmph and has a fuel capacity of 7.2 liters. The 4 speed gearbox is sufficient to ride comfortably in traffic and on highways.
With a mileage of 82 kmpl, the Saluto RX is at par with its competitors in this segment. Bikes from Yamaha tend to have a racing DNA and it is reflected in all their bikes. This makes the Saluto RX one of the best sports bikes under 50k.
The Yamaha Saluto RX is available in Breezy Blue, Inspiring Red, Matte Black, Gleaming Black, and Dark night color.
Pros:
- Good design
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Vast service network
- Good Pickup
Cons:
- Disc brake absent
- Low quality accessories
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 46,400
8) Hero Passion XPro
Also Check : Hero Passion XPro Review, Price In India & Customer Experiences
With an engine capacity of 109.1 cc, Hero Passion XPro is one of the best commuter bikes manufactured by Hero MotoCorp in today’s market. It delivers a maximum power of 8.58 bhp at 7,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 9.36 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The engine is air cooled and is powered by a 4 speed gearbox.
Hero Passion XPro is believed to be the successor of the popular commuter brand Hero Passion Pro. This new version has an appealing design that is marketed to the youth of the country.
It has a fuel tank capacity of 9.5 liters and a top speed of 95 kmph. This makes the bike ideal for city riding as well as traveling on the highways. The rear brake has also been improved on the bike to give better grip on difficult roads. You can opt for the drum brake or disc brake option depending on your preference. The disc brake variant is priced slightly higher and you may have to extend your budget accordingly.
Hero Passion XPro is available in a wide range of colors – Vibrant Metallic Blue, Sports Red, Leaf Green Metallic, Force Silver Metallic, Electric Yellow Metallic, Black with Red, Black with grey, and Black with blue.
Pros:
- Good design
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Disc Brake
Cons:
- Poor Handling
- Difficult to go beyond 60 kmph
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 46,800
7) Honda Dream Neo
Honda Dream Neo is an elegant commuter bike manufactured by the prominent two-wheeler manufacturer – Honda. This bike is advertised by a popular Bollywood star and is well known throughout the country.
With a mileage of 74 kmpl and a 109.2 cc engine, Honda Dream Neo does not provide the generous mileage as offered by its competitors. It produces 8.31 bhp at 7,500 rpm, 9.09 Nm torque at 5,000 rpm and is operated by a 4 speed multiplate clutch gearbox. It is an efficient gearbox which rarely gives any trouble.
The ride height is ideal for a majority of the consumers and the handling is perfect for riding through city traffic. Highway travel to nearby towns and cities can be carried out in a hassle-free manner on the Honda Dream Neo. The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 8 Liters and reserve capacity of 1.3 liters.
With a stylish design that is available in various colors – Imperial Red Mettalic, Black/red stripes, Geny Grey Metallic, Black/blue stripes, this bike is one of the most stylish bikes in this segment.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Decent Mileage
- Stylish Design
- Vast Service Network
- Low maintenance cost
Cons:
- Not reliable
- Disc brake absent
- Lack of power
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 47,240
6) Hero HF Dawn
Priced fairly below its competitors, Hero HF Dawn is definitely an economically priced bike. With a generous mileage of 82 kmpl, it is definitely a fuel-efficient bike.
The 97 cc engine on the Hero HF Dawn can produce a maximum power of 7.7 bhp at 7,500 rpm and an appreciable torque of 8.04 Nm at 4,500 rpm. It also has a 2-step adjustable shock absorber that ensures that you can ride comfortably even on bad roads and even while carrying loads.
Hero HF Dawn does score low points on design but scores high in terms of functionality. The round headlamp ensures better visibility while riding at night and the large seat on the bike makes you feel relaxed on long journeys. A padlock provision is also available on the bike which provides better safety.
With a top speed of 90 kmph, it fares well than most of its competitors. The large 10.5 liter fuel tank with a reserve capacity of 1.8 liters is an added advantage.
The Hero HF Dawn is available in Black and Red colors.
Pros:
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Good handling
Cons:
- Disc brake absent
- Reliability
- Poor Design
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 39, 470
5) Bajaj Platina Comfortec
Bajaj Platina Comfortec offers one of the highest mileage in this segment of bikes at 96 kmpl. With a 102 cc engine, it is capable of producing maximum power of 7.80 bhp at 7,500 rpm and maximum torque of 8.34 Nm at 5,500 rpm. The engine on the Platina Comfortec is air cooled and equipped with a carburetor.
The gearbox on the Platina Comfortec is a 4 speed gearbox and it works on a wet multiplate clutch. Bajaj has also introduced an LED DRL (Daytime Running Light) on the Platina Comfortec and claims that due to the low consumption of power by the LED, the bike is capable of providing a greater mileage when compared to its competitors. This budget bike has a top speed of 90kmph and can do 0 – 60 kmph in 8.5 seconds.
Platina Comfortec is available in Black and Cocktail Wine Red.
Pros:
- Good design
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Good handling
Cons:
- Disc brake absent
- Stiff Suspension
- Vibration in certain components
- Low output headlight
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 47,155
4) Hero Splendor Plus
Splendor is the most popular bike manufactured by Hero MotoCorp. For a long period of time, Splendor was the bestselling bike in the Indian market. This is one of the iconic commuter bikes to be ever released in the Indian two-wheeler market. The bike was so popular that everyone knew somebody who owned a Hero Splendor.
Since the bike was received very well by the Indian public, Hero launched an updated version of the bike – Hero Splendor Plus.
With an excellent mileage of 81 kmpl and a top speed of 87 kmph, it comes as no surprise that Splendor plus is one of the best budget bikes on Indian roads today. The efficient engine on the bike produces 8.2 bhp power at 8,000 rpm and a torque of 8.05 Nm at 5,000 rpm. All this with an engine capacity of 97 cc.
Hero Splendor Plus operates on a 4 speed gearbox and efficient drum brakes. Though the alloy wheels are an optional accessory, the functional instrument cluster is included under standard equipment.
This splendid bike is available in an array of colors – Black with Silver, Excellent Blue, Black with Purple, Cloud Silver, Palace Maroon, Black with Purple Red, High Granite Blue, Candy Red, and Black with Purple Silver.
Pros:
- Good design
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Good handling
Cons:
- Disc brake absent
- Poor design
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 45,850
3) Bajaj Platina
Bajaj Platina was one of the bestselling bikes by Bajaj. It was extensively advertised across various channels. The bike has a good seating posture with a seat height of 798 mm. For a 102 cc bike, the Bajaj Platina offers decent pickup and is nimble while riding in city traffic due to its lightweight body. The lightweight body of the bike also has a disadvantage – it is not ideal for riding on the highway.
The 102 cc engine can produce maximum power of 8.10 bhp at 7,500 rpm and a torque of 8.60 Nm at 5,000 rpm. Bajaj has also used the digital twin spark ignition mechanism which gives the Platina an advantage over its competitors. The air cooled engine has a top speed of 90 kmph. It also requires only 8.28 seconds to reach 60 kmph from zero.
With an ample fuel capacity of 11.5 liters and reserve capacity of 2 liters, this is one of the top bikes under 50k that can travel long distances on a single tank of fuel.
The Bajaj Platina is available in two colors – Red and Black.
Pros:
- Good tyres
- Great Mileage
- Low maintenance
- Good handling
Cons:
- Not suitable for highways
- Disc brake absent
- Poor design
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 42,000
2) TVS Star City Plus
Endorsed by a popular cricketer, the TVS Star City Plus is definitely one of the most good looking bikes under 50k. With a refreshing design that puts some sports bikes to shame and an equally efficient engine, the Star City Plus is clearly a viable option in this segment.
The Star City has an engine capacity of 109.7 cc and it produces 8.4 PS power at 7,000 rpm. It is also economical on fuel with a mileage of 86 kmpl. The alloy wheels and flashy graphics are the new addition to this model. This bike has a maximum speed of 90 kmph. It also has the capability to go from 0 to 60 in mere 10 seconds.
There is a four speed gearbox on the bike and it produces a torque of 8.7Nm at 5,000 rpm.
The TVS Star City Plus is available in various colors – Titanium Grey, Black and Red, Show Stopper Blue, Oscar Black, Matte Grey, and Celebrity Scarlet.
Pros:
- Good pickup
- Great Mileage
- Stylish Design
- Vast Service Network
- Reasonable maintenance cost
Cons:
- Tiny Speedometer
- Disc brake absent
- Lack of power
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 45,991
1) Hero HF Deluxe Eco
The Hero HF Deluxe Eco is a popular commuter bike by Hero MotoCorp. In the wide range of budget bikes offered by Hero MotoCorp, the HF Deluxe Eco is pricier than HF Dawn and slightly cheaper than one of the best-selling motorbikes by Hero MotoCorp – Hero Splendor.
This bike has an engine capacity of 97.2 cc and gives an incredible mileage of 82.9 kmpl. Equipped with a 4-speed gearbox, the HF Deluxe Eco produces 8.36 PS power at 8000 rpm. This single cylinder budget bike from Hero can reach 0 – 60 kmph within 8 seconds. The electric start option is an added plus for a bike in this segment. With a 10.50 liter fuel tank capacity and reserve fuel capacity of 1.8 liters, the HF Deluxe Eco can travel a really long distance on a single tank of fuel. It also produces sufficient torque of 8.05Nm at 5,000 rpm.
Another unique feature of this bike is that it is available in only a single color – Leaf Green. This particular color looks quite attractive on the bike, but some customers may not be fond of it.
Pros:
- Easy handling
- Good Mileage
- Looks Stylish
- Vast Service Network
- Sufficient boot space
Cons:
- Underpowered engine
- Difficult to reach 85 kmph
Price (ex-showroom Delhi): INR 42,630