Sportbikes or fully-faired motorcycles have their unique charm. This breed of bikes makes us feel like heroic racers even while riding on the streets. So their unmatched popularity is justified, isn’t it? Now, with the year 2021 about to end, we bring you the list of the five most popular fully-faired bikes this year.
Topping the list was unsurprisingly the Yamaha YZF R15 V4. The motorcycle has been enjoying immense popularity ever since its inception and that’s mainly due to the combination of accessibility and sportiness it delivers. The motorcycle received its biggest update this year which brought along a bunch of goodies like traction control, quick shifter and upside-down forks. The prices of the bike start at Rs 1.71 lakh.
2. KTM RC 125
Following the R15 closely in the second position was KTM’s smallest supersport, the RC 125. A comprehensive makeover was given to the RC 125 as well which comprised new styling, additional features, and revised hardware. The motorcycle now looks bigger and more premium while the 125cc engine is said to have better low-end grunt with a larger airbox. KTM has pegged the new RC 125 at Rs 1.82 lakh.
Claiming the thirst spot in terms of popularity in 2021 was the TVS Apache RR 310. Although it’s already a pretty accomplished and versatile motorcycle, TVS didn’t hold itself back from giving it a slight refresh. Besides the minor updates, the motorcycle can now be equipped with certain add-ons through TVS’ Built to Order (BTO) platform. There are two optional kits available including Dynamic and Race that are focused on different purposes. The new Apache RR 310 sets you back by Rs 2.60 lakh and the BTO kits demand an additional premium.
The Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 is the most dated offering on this list and it received absolutely no update this year. Despite that, netizens couldn’t stop themselves from researching about it and putting it on this list. Nestling under its busy bodywork is a 199.5cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine which makes 24.14bhp and 18.7Nm. Also, it gets full-LED lighting and a semi-digital console. Bajaj retails the Pulsar RS 200 for Rs 1.63 lakh.
5. KTM RC 390
The fifth most popular sportbike in India is also the most powerful on this list, the KTM RC 390. This is due to get similar updates as the RC 125 in India but the new version is already available abroad. The 2022 RC 390 is much more modern than its predecessor with features like a Bluetooth-enabled colour-TFT display, switchable ABS, a lean-angle sensitive cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and quick shifter. And the 373cc engine, which was already quite potent, is even peppier and more tractable. It will be priced higher than the existing iteration of the RC 390 that costs Rs 2.77 lakh.
(All prices are ex-showroom)
