Best Bikes in India 2025: Top Picks for Commuter, Sport & Premium
Best Bikes in India 2025: Top Picks for Mileage, Performance & Value
Choosing the right bike in 2025 depends on your budget and use — commuting, weekend fun, or touring. Below are top picks across common categories with quick specs, pros & cons, and free images you can use on your blog (Creative Commons / Wikimedia Commons). Always test-ride and check local on-road price before buying.
How I picked these bikes
- Mileage and running cost
- Price & value for money
- Performance and comfort
- Features & safety (ABS, LED, digital console)
- Service network & resale value
Top Picks — quick summary
| Model | Category | Engine | Why choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hero Splendor Plus | Commuter | ~97 cc | Legendary reliability & top mileage |
| TVS Star City Plus | Commuter (value) | 110 cc class | Good mileage & value features |
| Honda Shine 125 | Commuter (125cc) | 123.9 cc | Refined engine, low running cost |
| Yamaha MT-15 V2 | Naked / Performance (155cc) | 155 cc, VVA | Sporty handling & modern tech |
| KTM Duke 390 (2025) | Performance (390cc) | 399 cc | High power, best-in-class handling |
| Royal Enfield Hunter 350 | Premium / Retro (350cc) | 349 cc | Iconic styling & comfortable for touring |
Hero Splendor Plus — Best commuter (reliability & mileage)
Engine: ~97 cc (single cylinder)
Use: Daily commute, very economical
Why: Wide service network, proven reliability
Pros: Excellent mileage, low maintenance costs, affordable. Cons: Basic features vs modern 125cc bikes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — Hero Honda Splendor Plus 2004 Model. License: CC BY-SA 4.0; please keep attribution.
Manufacturer spec and model info. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
TVS Star City Plus — Value commuter
Engine: ~110 cc class
Use: City commute with good mileage
Why: ETFi tech for improved startability & mileage
Pros: Good real-world mileage and low running cost. Cons: Less power than 125cc competitors.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons — TVS Star city bike. Check license on the file page.
TVS Star City Plus official details. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Honda Shine 125 — Smooth & reliable 125cc
Engine: 123.94 cc, PGM-FI
Use: Efficient 125cc commuter
Why: Refined engine, good for city & small highway hops
Pros: Low vibration, good fuel economy and Honda’s service reach. Cons: Conservative styling for some buyers.
Image: Wikimedia Commons / official press images where available. Please ensure correct attribution if you use a specific file.
Honda Shine official specs. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
Yamaha MT-15 V2 — Sporty 155cc naked
Engine: 155 cc (liquid-cooled, VVA) — modern 15–18 PS class
Use: Sporty city and short touring
Why: Sharp handling, Deltabox frame, modern features.
Pros: Agile handling, good power for 155cc class. Cons: Slightly firmer ride for long touring.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / manufacturer galleries. Keep attribution per file used.
Yamaha official MT-15 spec page. :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}
KTM 390 Duke (2025) — Best-in-class single-cylinder performance
Engine: ~399 cc, ~45 PS (2025 generation)
Use: High-performance street bike, best handling
Why: Light chassis, powerful single, modern electronics
Pros: Excellent power-to-weight and handling for spirited riders. Cons: Higher running & servicing cost vs small commuters.
Photo: Manufacturer galleries / Wikimedia Commons (check file). Attribution required per file used.
KTM official 2025 390 Duke technical page. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 — Premium retro for city & touring
Engine: 349 cc (single), cruiser/retro tuning
Use: Comfortable for city + weekend touring
Why: Iconic Royal Enfield styling + modern features
Pros: Characterful engine, great presence and comfort. Cons: Heavier than smaller commuters, fuel cost higher.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / Royal Enfield official images. Please retain attribution when publishing.
Royal Enfield Hunter 350 official specs & brochure. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}
Buyer checklist before you buy
- Test ride the exact variant you will buy (seat height, comfort).
- Ask for on-road price (state taxes, insurance, RTO charges differ).
- Check nearby service centers & typical service costs.
- Look at real-owner reviews for long-term reliability and mileage.
- Consider expected resale value & insurance costs.
