Best 5 Motorcycle Of All Time In India – From Yamaha RX100 to the Yezdi Roadking

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From the Yamaha RX100 to the Yezdi Roadking here is the list of top 5 motorcycles which paved a new road in the Indian motorcycling history

The Indian motorcycle scene has evolved a lot in recent years. People now use their motorcycles for various other purposes as well besides commuting. Fortunately Indian motorcycle enthusiasts have plenty of options in their hand when they plan to get their hands on a new motorcycle.

However, there are a few motorcycles which have managed to earn a legendary status in India. These motorcycles are so close to the owner’s heart that they do not want to sell them ever. Today we have decided to pick the top 5 popular motorcycles of all time in India. Here is the list of top 5 motorcycles of all time and we tell you why they cannot ever be replaced by anyone else.

1. Yamaha RX100

The Yamaha RX100 was launched in India back in the year 1985 and carried the made in Japan logo on its gearbox cover. The motorcycle was manufactured by Escort and featured plenty of modern technology back then. What defined the RX100 was its idle exhaust note, some still call it the original soundtrack or heartbeat of Yamaha even today.

yamaha rx100

The RX100 was powered by a 98cc, two-stroke, air-cooled, single cylinder engine which produced 11 hp of peak power and just over 10 Nm of peak torque. The engine was paired with a 4-speed gearbox. The reasons why the Yamaha RX100 were also popular because it hardly used to break down until and unless not maintained at all. Even the clutch and gear cables used to last throughout the lifespan of the motorcycle.

Unfortunately, the Yamaha RX100 disappeared from the market back in 2010 after the Indian Government banned the registration of the two-stroke motorcycles in India because they caused a lot of pollution. The two-stroke engines quickly began to be replaced by four-stroke engines. But the Yamaha RX100 popularity never faded. A well-maintained unit of that motorcycle with all the original body parts would cost about a lakh rupees in the second-hand motorcycle market today (if only the owner agrees to sell it).

2. Royal Enfield Bullet

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The popularity of the Bullet lies in the huge cult following of the Royal Enfield brand. The motorcycle brand has been in existence since the British era. The Bullet was used by the army and then by the Police before the civilians got their hands on one.

While for a long time the high cost of the motorcycle and maintenance has prevented many motorcycle users from owning one. The Bullet always had an image of being hardy and rock solid. It is the only Indian motorcycle brand till now (after Yezdi) which uses a full metal body which is not only durable but adds a different personality altogether.

The popularity of the Bullet model has kept it alive since it first made its presence felt in 1901. When RE-launched their models for common masses back in 1984 the Bullet was the first model they launched in India. The retro styling and hardy (346cc, air-cooled, single cylinder) engine is what has given this motorcycle a legendary status.

3. Hero Splendor

top selling bike hero splendor

Hero Splendor is the biggest pillar of success for the Hero brand. The Splendor was launched back in the year 1994 when Hero and Honda were together. The motorcycle was and still is the most popular commuter motorcycle in India. The simple and elegant design, impressive fuel efficiency figures, and value for money are the three major reasons why the motorcycle became an instant hit amongst the common masses.

The motorcycle was also light and thus could be manoeuvred easily and that is why it became the number one choice for the middle-aged as well as older buyers.  Hero later also introduced various other variants as well for the Splendor model which gave buyers an option to choose from. Hero already sold more than 25 Lakh Splendor in India back in 2016-17 which speaks of its popularity.

4. Yezdi Roadking

If you are into vintage motorcycles, then you definitely have heard the name of Yezdi Roadking at least once in your life. The motorcycle was popular because it was light, powerful and had an impressive initial thrust and torque delivery. Compared to Royal Enfield which weighs well over 180 kilograms the Yezdi Roadking was lighter and more nimble and weighed only about 135 kilograms.

The Roadking was powered by a 250cc, 2-stroke, air cooled unit which produced around 16 Bhp of peak power and 23 Nm of peak torque at that time. The motorcycle was capable of reaching a top speed of 120 km/h mark. The Yezdi Roadking was an equally popular motorcycle like its biggest rival the RE Bullet. The Roadking also produced a throaty exhaust note, had a solid metal body, and iconic signature twin cigar shaped exhausts.

5. Bajaj Pulsar

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The Bajaj Pulsar is a modern motorcycle compared to the some of the other contestants in this list. Bajaj launched the Pulsar at a time when common Indian masses only used motorcycles for commuting. Bajaj was perhaps the only Indian brand who introduced performance oriented motorcycles within a budget.

Bajaj launched the original Pulsar 150 back in the year 2001. It was powered by a 150cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, spark-ignited four-stroke unit which produced an impressive 11.8 HP of peak power. The motorcycle featured a disc brake which was a huge thing back then along with parking lights and an aircraft type fuel tank lid.

It became an instant hit amongst the crowd. Later Bajaj also introduced 180cc variant of the Pulsar as well which produced 15 Hp of peak power. Electric start was introduced and was standard with the model. Things started to take off from there for Bajaj Auto and rest as they say was history.

Bajaj analyzed the Indian market and peoples need and launched the Pulsar range which provided plenty of performance, feature, and styling at an affordable price point. The Pulsar range has come a long way since then it went on from becoming an unreliable motorcycle to the most popular motorcycle amongst the young generation now.