Best 150cc and 160cc bikes

The Pulsar N160 4V packs USD forks, a slipper clutch and a projector headlamp into a 164.5cc naked priced from ₹1.34 lakh, undercutting most 160cc rivals on equipment. Making 18.24bhp with a claimed 51.6kmpl, it is one of the most complete value packages in this batch, though single-channel ABS is a minor gap.

Our score

8.0/10

Mileage

51.6 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

First bike upgrade

The Yamaha MT-15 V2 uses the R15's liquid-cooled 155cc VVA engine in a light, upright naked chassis with USD forks and dual-channel ABS.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,681/mo

Best for

Solo city riding

The Bajaj Pulsar N160 is a 164cc street bike with dual-channel ABS, USD forks and a torquey oil-cooled engine, priced well under the Yamaha and KTM alternatives.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,782/mo

Best for

Upgrading from a 125

The R15 V4 pairs a 155cc, 18.1bhp liquid-cooled engine with a USD front fork, dual-channel ABS and a slipper clutch, starting at ₹1.76 lakh. It's for riders who want race-derived handling in a package usable every day, though real-world mileage of 43-48kmpl trails cheaper commuter-focused rivals.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

46 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,625/mo

Best for

Weekend track days

The Xtreme 160R 4V adds USD front forks, dual-channel ABS and a rear disc to Hero's 160cc sports commuter, using a 163.2cc, 16.6bhp engine priced from ₹1.34 lakh. It claims 45kmpl and undercuts several 160cc rivals on both price and equipment.

Our score

7.5/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

Enthusiast commuters

The Apache RTR 160 is TVS's entry sports-commuter, a 159.7cc air-cooled single making about 15.8bhp with a claimed 61kmpl, priced from ₹1.11 lakh for the base drum-brake trim. It's for riders who want RTR styling and handling on a tight budget, but the cheaper variants stick with a rear drum brake and no ABS.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

61 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

First bike

The Pulsar NS160 is the older, simpler sibling to the N160 4V, offering a 160.3cc, 17.03bhp engine from ₹1.27 lakh with a claimed 52.2kmpl. It is a dependable, efficient 160cc option, though it lacks the USD forks and slipper clutch its newer sibling includes even at a similar price.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

52.2 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,700/mo

Best for

Budget-focused commuting

The FZS V4 is the base FZ model, using the same 149cc, 12.2bhp engine as pricier variants but starting at ₹1.20 lakh, the most affordable Yamaha with disc brakes at both ends. It suits buyers who want the FZ's stance and 60kmpl-claimed efficiency without paying for a TFT screen they may not need.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

60 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

Budget-conscious commuters

The Aerox 155 pairs a 155cc, 14.75bhp engine with sporty maxi-scooter styling and a claimed 40kmpl efficiency, starting at ₹1.46 lakh. It suits riders who want scooter convenience with genuine performance, though the rear drum brake and modest efficiency lag behind some rivals in the segment.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

40 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,921/mo

Best for

Performance-focused scooter buyers

The R15S keeps the R15 V4's 155cc, 18.1bhp engine and dual-channel ABS but swaps the USD fork for conventional telescopic forks and drops Bluetooth, starting at ₹1.60 lakh. It's for buyers who want R15 performance without paying for every feature the standard bike carries.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

46 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,625/mo

Best for

Budget performance seekers

The XSR 155 borrows the R15's 155cc, 18.1bhp engine and USD fork but wraps it in neo-retro styling, starting at ₹1.51 lakh. It suits riders who want distinctive looks over outright practicality, with a narrower colour-and-features list than Yamaha's mainstream sports bikes.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

46 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,625/mo

Best for

Style-focused riders

The FZ S Hybrid runs the familiar 149cc, 12.2bhp engine but adds a colour TFT display, traction control and turn-by-turn navigation, starting at ₹1.42 lakh. It's for buyers who want the FZ's muscular street-fighter stance with modern connected features, at a premium over the simpler FZS V4 sharing its mechanicals.

Our score

7.0/10

Mileage

60 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,422/mo

Best for

Tech-focused commuters

The Apache RTR 160 4V uses an oil-cooled 159.7cc four-valve single making about 17.3bhp, priced from ₹1.16 lakh with ABS standard across the range. It sits above the base RTR 160 on performance and tech, but the rear drum brake persists on every variant except the flagship USD-fork trim.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

41.4 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,782/mo

Best for

Sporty first bike

The FZ X takes the same 149cc, 12.2bhp engine and dresses it in scrambler-inspired styling with a taller stance, starting at ₹1.27 lakh. It's for riders who want a more rugged, upright look than the standard FZ, accepting a slightly heavier 139kg kerb weight and taller 810mm seat in exchange.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

47 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

Style-focused daily riders

The FZ V3 is the oldest and cheapest model in Yamaha's FZ lineup, using the same 149cc, 12.2bhp engine as newer variants but starting at ₹1.16 lakh with a shorter features list. It suits buyers who want the FZ's classic muscular look without traction control or Bluetooth, at the lowest price in the range.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

46 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,625/mo

Best for

Budget-first FZ buyers

The SP160 is Honda's most powerful SP-badged commuter, priced from ₹1.18 lakh with a strong 13.27bhp from its 162.71cc engine and a claimed 50kmpl. It sits well above typical 125cc commuters on price with only a single-channel ABS and a rear drum brake to show for the premium, making its value proposition dependent on that extra performance.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

Enthusiastic daily commuting

The Ntorq 150 is TVS's biggest, most powerful scooter, a 149.7cc engine making about 13bhp with single-channel ABS and a claimed 40kmpl, priced from ₹1.12 lakh. It brings genuine highway pace to the scooter segment, but real-world mileage around 37-42kmpl and a starting price close to entry-level motorcycles are real trade-offs.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

40 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,872/mo

Best for

Scooter riders wanting bike-like pace

The Xoom 160 is Hero's premium maxi-scooter, with a liquid-cooled 156cc engine, 14.6 bhp, keyless start and single-channel ABS, priced from ₹1.43 lakh. It is comfortably the most capable scooter Hero sells, but its claimed 40.5 kmpl and price well above typical 125cc scooters mean the trade-off is efficiency and value.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

40.5 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,849/mo

Best for

Highway-capable scooter riding

The 160 Duke is KTM's smallest naked, using a 164.2cc, 18.73bhp engine and starting at ₹1,83,585. It suits first-time bigger-bike buyers wanting KTM styling and handling on a budget, though its power trails 250cc rivals aimed purely at outright performance.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

36.5 kmpl

Running cost

₹2,054/mo

Best for

First bike for new riders

The FZ X Hybrid adds a colour TFT display, turn-by-turn navigation and idle start-stop to the FZ X's scrambler styling, starting at ₹1.46 lakh. It targets buyers who want the most equipped FZ available and are willing to pay close to XSR 155 money for a naked streetfighter instead of a faired sports bike.

Our score

6.5/10

Mileage

51 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,479/mo

Best for

Feature-focused buyers

The RC 160 brings KTM's full-faired styling and dual-channel ABS to an entry-level 164.2cc, 18.73bhp engine, priced from ₹1,99,975. It suits new riders wanting sports-bike looks and safety features on a budget, though its 118kmph top speed keeps it firmly in the entry-level bracket.

Our score

6.0/10

Best for

First sports bike for new riders

The Xtreme 160R is the entry point into Hero's 160cc sports commuter range, offering 14.79bhp and single-channel ABS from ₹1.10 lakh. It claims 49.65kmpl and pairs a front disc with a rear drum, positioning it below the newer 160R 4V on both power and equipment.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

49.65 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,590/mo

Best for

Budget-conscious 160cc buyers

The FZ-Rave shares its underlying architecture with the FZ Blue Flex but keeps the full 12.2bhp output and adds 165mm of ground clearance, starting at ₹1.26 lakh. It positions itself as an FZ variant built for slightly rougher roads without paying for the Hybrid's TFT extras.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

Broken-road commutes

The FZ Blue Flex is a flex-fuel-compatible variant of Yamaha's FZ, producing a slightly lower 11.53bhp than other FZ models to run on higher ethanol blends, starting at ₹1.26 lakh. It's a niche pick for buyers curious about flex-fuel technology rather than those chasing outright value.

Our score

6.0/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

Flex-fuel curious buyers

The ADV 160 is Honda's maxi-style adventure scooter, priced from ₹1,70,000 with a 157cc engine making 16.9 bhp. It adds dual disc brakes, a TFT console, keyless start and idle start-stop, but costs noticeably more than 160cc rivals like the Hero Xoom 160 and Yamaha Aerox 155.

Our score

6.0/10

Best for

Adventure-styled daily riding

The Unicorn is Honda's long-running 160cc naked commuter, priced from ₹1.15 lakh with 13bhp and a claimed 50kmpl. It lacks the TFT console and Bluetooth features found on newer rivals like the TVS Apache RTR 160, priced identically but with more power and better efficiency, leaving the Unicorn to lean on Honda's reliability reputation.

Our score

5.5/10

Mileage

50 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,494/mo

Best for

No-frills daily commuting

The Pulsar 150 sits between the 125 and 180 in Bajaj's naked line-up, built for buyers wanting a proven mid-capacity commuter-sports bike. It makes 14bhp from a 149.5cc engine, with prices starting at ₹1.15 lakh. The brief does not confirm mileage or kerb weight for this generation, so treat efficiency claims as indicative rather than fixed.

Our score

5.5/10

Best for

Proven mid-capacity commuting

The Gixxer is Suzuki's naked 155cc streetfighter, priced from ₹1,29,449, but its 13.41bhp trails nearly every rival at the same money by 3-5bhp. It returns a real-world 42-47kmpl and comes with single-channel ABS and disc brakes at both ends, so it rides safely, just not as quickly as the Pulsar NS160 or Apache RTR 180 parked beside it in a showroom.

Our score

5.0/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

City street riding

The Gixxer SF is the faired version of Suzuki's 155cc streetfighter, priced at ₹1,43,272, but the fairing adds weight without adding power over the standard Gixxer. At the same money, the Pulsar NS200 offers nearly double the horsepower, so the SF's appeal rests almost entirely on styling, Suzuki's reliability record and a genuine 42-47kmpl real-world mileage.

Our score

4.5/10

Mileage

45 kmpl

Running cost

₹1,662/mo

Best for

Sports-bike styling fans