When upgrading from a commuter motorcycle, the 200-250cc class is a good segment to explore for various reasons. While it is a feasible entry ticket to experience slightly more potent bikes, you also need not break the bank for it. So, if you are looking for a quarter-litre motorcycle here are your top five most affordable options.
The Bajaj Pulsar N250 is the most affordable option and retails at Rs. 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It was recently launched with a bunch of updates and now boasts features like traction control system, three ABS modes, fully digital reverse-LCD display, and Bluetooth connectivity. Further, the hardware too has been revised and the Pulsar N250 now tends to offer even better value for money.
We spent an entire day riding it and here is our first ride review of the Bajaj Pulsar N250.
Then, we have the Suzuki Gixxer 250 too on the list. The bike has been around for a while and is one of Suzuki’s three quarter-litre offerings. It retails at Rs. 1.81 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is powered by a 249cc oil-cooled single-cylinder engine that makes 26.13bhp and 22.2Nm. The Gixxer’s real-world performance is quite engaging and just as easy to ride the bike in the city. Suzuki also offers the Gixxer 250 in a higher spec variant that gets smartphone connectivity but at an added cost. It gives you access to turn-by-turn navigation, call and SMS notifications and more.
The Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 is the Swedish brand’s first offering for 2024 and it debuted with quite a few upgrades over the predecessor. The Vitpilen 250’s asking price is set at Rs. 2.19 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) and is powered by a 249.07cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. It makes 30.57bhp at 9,500rpm and 25Nm at 7500rpm and is paired with a six-speed gearbox.
The list of features on the Husqvarna Viptilen includes LED illumination, a five-inch LCD, traction control, ride-by-wire, Quickshifter +, switchable ABS, and a Type-C charging port. Overall, the Vitpilen 250 looks attractive, comes with a few bells and whistles and packs decent performance too.
The KTM 250 Duke was launched in its latest trim sometime last year. It is priced at Rs. 2.39 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). KTM has equipped the bike with a 248cc motor that gets a newly optimised cylinder head and gearbox along with a larger airbox. It makes 30.57bhp and 25Nm and gets a six-speed gearbox.
We have ridden the bike extensively and here is our first ride review of it. The 250 Duke’s design is inspired from the larger Super Duke and it gets a sharp, youthful appearance. Even the features list a ride-by-wire throttle system, a slipper clutch, a quick shifter, and a Bluetooth-enabled five-inch LCD.
Last but not least, we have the KTM 250 Adventure. It too is based on the same 250cc platform as the 250 Duke and uses the same engine as well. However, as the name suggests, this is an adventure motorcycle and gets a tall stance with an upright rider triangle. Further, the hardware of the KTM 250 Adventure comprises USD front forks and a monoshock and it too rides on alloy wheels with tubeless tyres. So, it will be better suited for touring and light off-roading. The asking price for the KTM 250 Adventure is set at Rs. 2.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi).
