Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 - What else can you buy?

The 2024 Husqvarna Vitpilen 250 is a KTM 250 Duke draped in a desirable Swedish suit. What sets it apart from its Austrian counterpart is its styling that’s always a highlight of Husqvarna motorcycles. Design elements like the round LED headlights, body panels, and colour combination lend the Vitpilen 250 the appearance of a rather premium motorcycle.

Underneath the skin, as we’d mentioned, this is a 250 Duke and that’s great considering how good the new KTM has turned out to be in its 2024 avatar. It employs the same chassis, suspension, and engine which produces 30.57bhp at 9,500rpm and 25Nm at 7,500rpm. The Vitpilen 250 is priced at Rs 2.50 lakh, on-road, Delhi. If you are wondering what other bikes can you consider at and around the price of the Vitpilen 250, here are options you could look at.

KTM 250 Duke

Rs. 2.75 lakh, on-road, Delhi

First up, you could look at the KTM 250 Duke, if an aggressive design and shouty colours are your things. During our road test of the 250 Duke, we found it to be a fun motorcycle, all thanks to the engine and the revised sprocketing that’s given it a spirited demeanor. The ride and handling are also some of the Duke’s strong points; this is quite an entertaining motorcycle for the price.

TVS Apache RTR 310

Rs. 2.76 lakh, on-road, Delhi

The Apache RTR 310 is a street naked motorcycle, powered by a 312.2cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that makes 35.08bhp and 28.7Nm. It boasts a striking design and good attention to detail. Quality too is top-notch but what also sets it apart from the competition is the laundry list of features it has.

You’ve got ride modes, cornering ABS, cornering traction control, cruise control, and heated/cooled seat, a feature that is unique to the segment. However, we wish they’d found a way to contain the vibrations around the seat, handlebar, and fuel tank area. We rode the bike in Thailand and you can read more about our first ride experience here.

Suzuki V-Strom SX

Rs 2.48 lakh, on-road, Delhi

The V-Strom SX is undoubtedly one of the most underrated motorcycles in the market. Suzuki’s sports adventure tourer is quite the all-rounder, carrying out commuting tasks, weekend trips, and cross-country highway touring with aplomb. The bike’s engine is an absolute gem and we liked it for its tractability, highway performance, and refinement. It is quite fuel efficient as well.

The ride quality is on the firmer side but we didn’t find it to be a dealbreaker, especially when you consider how nimble it is while flicking your way through traffic or going around corners. Its design and quality levels are also good but what hasn’t helped its case is the slightly steep price tag.

Honda CB300R

Rs. 2.73 lakh, on-road, Delhi

The CB300R is much loved for its compact dimensions, low kerb weight, and intuitive handling that make it a hoot to dart in and out of traffic. What we also like is its engine's mid-range performance and the build quality of the bike. That said, since the CB is retailed only out of Honda Big Wing showrooms, access to sales and service will be limited depending on where you live.

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Rs. 2.20 lakh, on-road, Delhi

The Royal Enfield Classic 350 is the antithesis of the Husqvarna Vitpilen 250. It is nowhere near as quick or feature-loaded as the Husky but this modern retro exudes charm and a ton of appeal for many reasons. From the beautiful design to the relaxed and refined engine as well as the feeling of wafting down the road as its suspension soaks up bumps, the Classic 350 can convert sportsbike lovers to slow down and ride at an unhurried pace without feeling bored.