6 affordable motorcycles FASTER than a BMW 3-Series: TVS Apache RR310 to KTM Duke 390

Over the years, performance motorcycles have become quite accessible in the Indian market. There are quite a few performance-oriented affordable bikes on the Indian market that can be bought at a fraction of the price of a fast car. Here are six such affordable bikes in India, which are quicker than a BMW 3-Series 320d. The 320d variant of the 3-Series is quite popular and is the best-selling version in India. It is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine that generates a maximum of 184 Bhp and 380 Nm. It can do 0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, which is very, very quick indeed.

KTM 390 Duke

Price: 2.29 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Ever since its launch, the KTM 390 Duke is among the most popular performance bikes available in India. The power-packed performance and aggressive styling along with the value-for-money proposition it offers makes it a hard to resist package. It is powered by a 373cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine that churns out a maximum of 43 Bhp power and 37 Nm of torque. The 390 Duke can go from 0-100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds, making it lightning quick. The bike gets a slipper clutch that makes the gear shifts easier and quicker.

KTM RC 390

Price: 2.34 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The KTM RC 390 and the 390 Duke are nearly identical bikes, the only difference being that RC 390 is fully faired. It gets an aggressive riding position, making it suitable for track riding. The RC 390 gets the same fuel-injected 373cc, single-cylinder engine as on the 390 Duke that develops 43 Bhp of power and 37 Nm of torque. The full body fairing saves the rider from wind blasts. The 0-100 km/h time remains the same at 5.6 seconds for the RC 390 despite the fairing. It also gets a slipper clutch for quicker gear shifts.

Yamaha YZF-R3

Price: 3.48 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The stylish new YZF-R3 was launched in India at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo. This track-oriented performance bike is the most affordable twin-cylinder bike from Yamaha. It also is the best-selling bike of its segment in India. The bike gets powered by a 321cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that produces a maximum of 41.4 Bhp power and 29.6 Nm of torque. The YZF-R3 is extremely smooth and can do 0-100 km/h in mere 5.8 seconds which makes it much quicker than the BMW 320d.

Kawasaki Ninja 300

Price: 3.6 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

Kawasaki Ninja 300

The Kawasaki Ninja 300 is the entry level bike of the Ninja series in India. It also is the most-affordable fully-faired bike from the Kawasaki stable in India. Though currently it commands a much higher price than the competition, Kawasaki has announced that the bike will be assembled in India with more localized parts that will make it cheaper. The green monster is powered by a 296cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine that churns out a maximum of 38.5 Bhp and 27 Nm. It can do 0-100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

TVS Apache RR 310

Price: 2.23 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi

The Apache RR 310 was a much-anticipated bike before its launch. It was the first fully faired bike from TVS in India and has lived up to the hype it created. It is powered by the engine developed jointly by BMW and TVS, the same engine that powers the BMW G 310R and the GS 310. The single-cylinder 312.2cc engine produces a maximum power of 34 Bhp and 27.3 Nm and is mated to a six-speed transmission. The Apache RR 310 can do 0-100 km/h in less than 7 seconds, which makes it faster than the 7.2 second time of the BMW 320d.

BMW G 310R

Price: Rs. 3.09 Lakh, ex-showroom, Delhi

The G 310R is the first affordable bike in India by BMW Motorrad. In fact, it’s the first GS branded under 500 cc bike by the German manufacturer. Though it’s a bit on the expensive side, the build quality of the bike makes up for that to some extent. It has the same engine as on the TVS Apache RR 310 which produces a maximum power of 34 Bhp and torque of 27.3 Nm. Talking about 0-100 times, the G 310R does it in an impressive 6.8 seconds which is faster than the 320d.