The 200cc segment is quite an interesting one. It does not fall under the category of commuter motorcycles but cannot also be considered as a class representing outright performance motorcycles. But the good thing about these 200cc motorcycles is that you get a decent amount of power, without them being too heavy on the pocket when you consider their prices. These bikes offer more affordable running costs too, which is why they are so popular among the age group of 18-30 years. Here we have made a list of the top 200cc bikes in India in 2020 to help you choose from.
1. TVS Apache RTR 200 4V
The BS6 TVS Apache RTR 200 4V now costs INR 1,28,550 ex-showroom. The specifications and features of the motorbike remain unaltered. Talking about power, the 2020 Apache 200 4v BS6 comes fitted with a 197.75cc single-cylinder, oil-cooled, fuel-injected engine which produces 20.5 PS of maximum power at 8,500 RPM and 16.8 Nm of peak torque at 7,500 RPM, mated to a 5-speed gearbox. Some of the other features include the recently launched SmartXonnect display, Dual-Channel ABS with RLP (Rear wheel Lift-off Protection) control and a Slipper Clutch. For the 2020 Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS claims a top speed of 127 km/h and a 0-60 acceleration of 3.9 seconds.
- TVS Apache RTR 200 4V Price: Rs. 1.28 lakh
- Pros: Refined engine, Sticky tyres, Good low-end torque
- Cons: Lack of a sixth gear
2. KTM 200 Duke
KTM has now thoroughly upgraded the Duke 200 and has launched the 2020 BS6 version at Rs 1,72,750. This bike is the most powerful 200cc which is available in the Indian market. The visual differences are quite prominent as it now follows the same design philosophy seen in other bigger KTM nakeds like the SuperDuke 1290. It now looks more in line with the rest of its cousins. The front end is now sharper than before and includes a new headlamp unit with LED DRLs. It still makes do with halogen lamp though. Other cosmetic upgrades include new tank decals and extended tank shrouds while the rear end looks inspired too, from the bigger KTMs.
The frame is now split-unit and now comes with a rear sub-frame which makes it handle a bit better than before. The wheelbase is the same but length, height and width have increased and so has the seat height. Where the previous seat height stood at 818 mm, it now stands at 823 mm. The ground clearance, however, has come down to 155 mm from the previous 175 mm. Just like the rest of the motorcycles which are now BS6 compliant, the weight has increased in the case of the new Duke 200 too. It now tips the scale at 159 kg making it 11 kgs heavier than before. The fuel tank capacity has gone up to 13.5 litres because it houses the same tank unit as the Duke 390.
The instrument cluster is the same as before and loses out on the coloured TFT screen which the Duke 390 boasts of. The ABS on this motorcycle is now dual-channel and is manufactured by Bosch. The suspension travel at the front has increased by 2 mm. Among the other changes, the exhaust routing is different too and the exhaust body has been changed too. It now sounds more appealing and throatier than before. It now handles better, looks even more spectacular than before and packs the same engine without losing any power or torque
- KTM 200 Duke Price: Rs. 1.72 lakh
- Pros: Powerful engine, good looks
- Cons: No wind protection for high-speed cruising
3. Hero Xtreme 200R and 200S
The Hero Xtreme 200R is a naked streetfighter, while the 200S is a fully-faired machine. Both are powered by the same BS6-compliant 199.6cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. In the BS4 form, this engine produced 18.4bhp at 8,000rpm against 17.1Nm of peak torque at 6,500rpm. However, the power and torque will be reduced marginally in the BS6 form.
In its updated form, this powertrain will produce 17.8bhp and 16.45Nm that is 0.3bhp and 0.65Nm less than the BS4 version. Unlike the BS4 engine which was a water-cooled unit, the BS6-compliant version has an oil-cooling system.
Power will be transmitted to the rear wheel via a 5-speed manual gearbox. The bikes will feature an oil cooler which allows maintaining temperatures at optimum levels during longer rides though the weight of the bikes has been increased by 3 kgs. Hero Xtreme 200S and 200R will go on sale soon at a marginally increased price, compared to their BS4 counterparts
- Hero Xtreme 200R and 200S price: TBA
- Pros: Value for money
- Cons: Not as powerful as the competition
4. Bajaj Pulsar NS 200
Bajaj has updated the NS200 and has made it BS6 compliant. The BS6 NS 200 is now available at INR 1,25,030 ex-showroom. The NS 200 deploys fuel injection instead of a carburettor. Other changes include a bigger catalytic converter in order to meet the considerably more stringent BS6 emission norms. The BS6 version now produces more power and torque than before – 24.5PS and 18.5Nm compared to the previous 23.5PS and 18.3Nm. With no cosmetic changes, the NS 200 remains the same visually.
- Bajaj Pulsar NS 200 price: Rs. 1.25 lakh
- Pros: Powerful engine
- Cons: Build quality
5. Bajaj Pulsar RS 200
The BS6-compliant Bajaj Pulsar RS200 now features a new catalytic converter which has resulted in a slight bump in weight. The Pulsar RS200 is now 2 kgs heavier than before. The performance figures are largely unchanged. It is powered by the same 199.5cc single-cylinder fuel-injected liquid-cooled DTS-i (triple spark) motor as before. Max power is still rated at 24.5PS but the 18.7Nm peak torque rating is 0.1Nm more.
Visually speaking, it is exactly the same as before and carries over the same busy design. The front is highlighted by twin projector headlamps while the side profile looks very busy, courtesy the fairing. The rear is exactly the same too and features the same set of tail lights since the bike was first introduced. The braking department is assisted by single-channel ABS.
- Bajaj Pulsar RS 200 price: Rs. 1.45 lakh
- Pros: Good wind protection for long rides, relaxed ergonomics
- Cons: Bit on the heavier side
6. KTM RC 200
Along with new graphics, the 2020 KTM RC200 gets upgraded with dual-channel ABS as standard and also, the torque output has gone up from 19.2 Nm to 19.3 Nm. The BS6 KTM RC200 asks for Rs. 1,96,768 (ex-showroom Delhi). The bike continues to be powered by a 199.5cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, single-cylinder engine which makes 25PS @ 10,000 rpm and 19.2 Nm @8,000 rpm. mated to a 6-speed gearbox.
- KTM RC 200 price: Rs. 1.97 lakh
- Pros: Good for the racetrack, perfect riding position for committed rides
- Cons: Low fuel economy
7. Hero Xpulse 200 & 200T
The BS6 Hero XPulse 200 makes 17.8 bhp at 8,500 rpm and has a peak torque output of 16.4 Nm at 4,500 rpm. In its previous BS4 avatar, it used to make 18 bhp at 8,000 rpm and 17.1 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. In the transition to BS6, it has gained a few kilos too as the Xpulse 200 now weighs 157 kg which is 3 kg heavier than the BS4 iteration. The new BS6 XPulse 200 is available with five colour options, namely, White; Matte Green; Matte Grey; Sports Red; and Panther Black.
The Xpulse 200T shares most mechanical components with the Xpulse 200, like the same suspension setup and the same engine. What sets it apart from the Xpulse 200 is its more road-biased riding dynamics. Instead of a larger wheel upfront and spoke wheels, it gets 17-inch alloys at both ends which are wrapped in 100/80 and 130/70 rubber. This motorcycle also gets an LCD instrument cluster with Bluetooth and turn-by-turn navigation. The same tweaked engine which powers the Xpulse 200 will be carried over in the Xpulse 200T too.
- Hero Xpulse 200 Price: INR 1.11 Lakh
- Hero Xpulse 200T Price: TBA
- Pros: Affordable go-anywhere bike
- Cons: Struggles at triple-digit speeds