Yamaha surprised us yesterday by slashing the prices of its quarter-litre offering, the FZ25, by nearly Rs 20,000! Resultantly, the standard FZ25 now costs Rs 1,34,800 while the more premium FZS25 is priced at Rs 1,39,300. With the new prices, it is one of the enticing propositions in the Indian market. But if you’re still considering other offerings that are priced similarly, here are your options.
HondaHornet 2.0: Rs 1,29,608-1,31,608
The Hornet 2.0 is slightly cheaper than the FZ25. It gets a smaller 184.4cc, air-cooled engine that produces 17.03bhp and 16.1Nm. However, it gets more premium hardware than the FZ with upside down forks and a monoshock, and petal discs at both ends. The true strong points of the Hornet is its engine refinement and extremely nimble handling.
Bajaj Pulsar NS200: Rs 1,35,226
The Bajaj Pulsar NS200 is a sportier motorcycle with a higher-revving engine, despite having a smaller 199.5cc engine. While it makes more power than the FZ at 24.13bhp, the torque output is lower at 18.5Nm. However, the Pulsar benefits from a six-speed gearbox that makes it slightly better on the highway. On the flip side, unlike the FZ, it is pretty basic on the feature front.
Royal Enfield Bullet 350: Rs 1,34,348-1,55,480
Riders who are inclined towards old-school motorcycles, the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 is ideal. Although its top-end ES variant is much more expensive than the FZ, the standard trim is cheaper. The Bullet boasts a quintessential retro styling inspired by British bikes of the olden days and it is the oldest model in RE’s portfolio. It’s quite dated in regards to technology and hardware, but brings a rich legacy and brand image to the table.
Yamaha MT 15: Rs 1,40,900-1,41,900
Another bike to consider is from Yamaha’s own portfolio, the MT 15. Despite sporting a much smaller 155cc engine, the MT 15 is expensive due to certain things like VVA (variable valve actuation) that helps the motor rev more freely. It also gets a six-speed gear, as opposed to the FZ25’s five-speed unit, and the presence of a slipper clutch only makes it more premium.
(All prices are ex-showroom)
