Top Ten Greatest Bikes in India of All Time

India is currently the largest two-wheeler market in the world. Many classic and exciting items have come our way over the last century, making the road to becoming the most significant market very interesting. Virtually every bicycle manufacturer in the world today sells their wares here. Superbikes, adventure motorcycles, commuter bikes, entry-level sports, big power cruisers, small scooters, and even some of the latest electric two-wheelers are available from us. How did we get here? How did the country’s motorcycle sector become so attractive? Why are two-wheelers so loved and appreciated? The simple answer is that some bikes introduced here wholly revolutionized the industry. Following is the list of the Top Ten Greatest Bikes in India of All Time.

Top Ten Greatest Bikes in India of All Time – Top Rated

Royal Enfield Bullet

Without question, the most influential bike on this list is the RE Bullet. Not only was it one of the first large motorcycles to be introduced in India, but it has also endured the longest nameplate of all motorcycles. As one of its most popular products, the Bullet 350 helped RE establish a firm name in India. The popularity of this motorcycle has primarily contributed to the cult status that the RE brand currently enjoys. Bullet has been a famous brand in India since the start of the twentieth century, and RE was responsible for the entry of several other brands, including numbers two and three on this list.

Jawa

In India, Java achieved great success as a brand during the 1970s and 1980s. People were attracted to the bikes because they were a bit cheaper than the big RE. The Java excelled in both national and local races and was well-liked in motorsport as well. Due to its timeless aesthetic and sturdy construction, the Java 250 quickly gained a large following. Even today, Java retains its cultural reputation, so Mahindra recently revived the brand.

Yezdi 250

Apart from Java, the Yazidi brand also gained a lot of popularity. The Yazdi 250 was built using an old rally chassis, which was considered highly durable. The bike quickly began competing in rally races, which were quite successful. The 250cc two-stroke engine was impressive, producing 16 horsepower and 23 Nm of torque. The bike had an exciting look and quickly gained popularity, revolutionizing the Indian motorcycle industry with its lightweight body and high overall performance. Even today, a Yazdi is expensive to buy from a collector, although there are plans to bring back the brand, just like the Java.

Bajaj Chetak

For Indians, Chetak revolutionized transportation. I do not doubt that many of you remember this excellent scooter. On the Vespa, the design was based. One of the first mass-produced scooters for the commoner was the Chetak. Since every family had a Chetak and it was considered an integral part of the family, it was much loved and became very popular across the country, giving rise to the slogan “Humara Bajaj.” It further paved the way for the scooter industry in the country as it was a good product, beneficial, and made millions of Indians mobile.

Yamaha RX100

When Yamaha introduced the RD350 in India, everyone was surprised. No one was prepared for such incredible power. In the 1980s, the average rider had never heard of a bike that could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in about 7 seconds. The bike was not popular because it was expensive. The RX 100 filled that gap, and when it did, it was an instant hit. The RX100 was a stylish, affordable, and rather powerful bike that was light and agile. This 100cc two-stroke bike was introduced in 1985 and had around 11bhp and 10Nm of torque, which was more than enough for the commuter market. Thanks to the RX100, motorcycles are now a viable option for urban transportation in the country.

Hero Honda CBZ

The Splendor was probably the bike that changed the commuter market forever, and it certainly deserves a place on this list. However, the CBZ introduced the performance of Indian commuter motorcycles and started a whole new market for motorcycles: the entry-level commuter sports bike. In 1999, CBZ was introduced, and it quickly gained popularity. At the time, it was prevalent among bikers and gave the general public access to a sporty machine that performed well. The CBZ was so popular that it inspired the creation of the following bike on this list.

Bajaj Pulsar

Bajaj was aggressively contesting hero Honda and CBZ. Bajaj started from scratch, invested a lot of time and money, and it seems they did very well as the Pulsar was the result. The Pulsar became an overnight sensation, and youngsters across the nation clamored to get their hands on one. Pulsar 150 was my first motorcycle. It was the perfect combination of design and performance. The Pulsar brand is currently quite strong and has a cult following not only in India but also in other countries where the bike is sold.

Yamaha R15

When Yamaha introduced the R15, it once again changed the Indian motorcycle scene. It aims to be the country’s first affordable all-wheel drive sports bike. Young motorcyclists who once saw track-spec bikes in movies could now own a proper sports bike at a very reasonable price thanks to the R15, a great addition to the Indian roads. The Yamaha R15 demanded complete entry-level machines and inspired other manufacturers to follow suit. The Yamaha R15 is still the most significant motorcycle in the 150cc class even in its third iteration.

KTM Duke 390

When Bajaj acquired KTM, they did a great job manufacturing their small-capacity bikes in India. In India, the entry-level motorcycle with the best performance was the Duke 390. It also gave rise to an entirely new segment. No other motorcycle manufacturer had dared to enter the mid-sized engine market, but KTM charged in and created a revolution. Indians got used to Duke 390’s good looks and flawless performance when they tried it. The KTM 390 Duke quickly became a crowd favorite and is currently the most affordable motorcycle available in the country.

Honda Activa

The Activa brand is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable two-wheeler names in the country, even though many may dispute its inclusion in our list. One of every five two-wheelers sold in India is reportedly an Activa, with Honda estimated to have sold more than 20 million of these compact scooters worldwide. Everyone had access to quality and performance because of Activa. It is one of the best things ever created. Activa comes to mind when you think of scooters because of how famous the brand is. It is one of the most recognizable names in the history of two-wheelers in India because it is practical, incredibly reliable, and performs admirably.

Top Ten Greatest Bikes in India of All Time – Top List