India, a land of cultural diversity and heritage, is witnessing its motorcycle Industry flourishing in diversity. While commuter motorcycles still contribute to nearly one-third of all two-wheeler sales in India. there’s a growing hunger for excitement on two wheels; fuelled by this demand, 400cc bike production has surged, and here are the top 5 contenders battling for your attention:
RE Himalayan 450
Fresh off its 2024 Indian Motorcycle of the Year (IMOTY) win, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is here! This all-new machine is a testament to Royal Enfield’s legacy and It’s their most advanced motorcycle yet! meticulously crafted to take you further and deeper into the wild than ever before.
With a pricing of Rs 2,85,000 for the Base Kaza brown colour variant. Under the ‘Pass’ variant, the Slate Himalayan Salt / Slate Himalayan colour schemes retail at Rs 2,89,000, whereas Kamet White colour scheme costs Rs 2,93,000, and Hanle Black colour is priced at Rs 2,98,000.
It’s heart beats with a potent 452cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine. Pumping power figures of 40.02 PS and 40 Nm of torque! enough to conquer any terrain you throw its way.
Royal Enfield has come a long way; knowing all about the importance of comfort on long journeys. The new gen Himalayan boasts a completely redesigned ergonomic layout, ensuring a fatigue-free ride even after miles on the saddle. The ADV has a wheelbase of 1510mm, ground clearance of 230mm, seat height of 825mm and kerb weight of 196kg, a little lighter than the its previous gen. The handlebars are positioned for a more natural posture, while the plush seat offers ample support for both rider and passenger. The Himalayan 450 boasts a massive 17-liter fuel tank with a mileage of 30 kmpl.
With its rugged build and powerful engine, the Himalayan even comes with RE’s first TFT Display that is touch screen! Along with mobile app connectivity, GPS & navigation, USB charging port, riding modes switch, traction control and a lot more. Whether you’re cruising highway roads or navigating off-road paths, the Himalayan 450 has the muscle to get you there.
Aprilia RS457
The hottest bike on the list. The Aprilia RS457 is a faired middleweight motorcycle that marks the arrival of the Italian giant’s smallest faired offering ever. More importantly, its built in India. With its aggressive Italian design, impressive power figures, and lightweight construction, the RS457 is a direct rival of Yamaha R3, Ninja 400 and RC390.
The Mighty Aprilia has an ex-showroom price of ₹4,10,000 in India. However, prices may vary based on location and insurance. It comes in just one variant, but you get 3 colour options to choose from!
This hottie features a 457cc, liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine. While the torque figures of 43.5 Nm, and 48.6 PS of power; Aprilia didn’t skimp on the frame. The RS457 boasts a lightweight aluminium frame for superior handling and agility, especially when carving those corners. And keeping in mind the stopping power, the RS457 is expected to come with disc brakes on both the front and rear wheels, with dual-channel ABS for added safety. Weighing in at a low 159 kg (dry) and 175 kg (kerb), this bike is built for sharp handling and quick reactions.
Aggressive faired design that has a Lightweight aluminium frame for improved handling and the Powerful 457cc, liquid-cooled engine comes with a six-speed gear box attached with a slipper clutch, ride by wire and three riding modes: Sport, Road and Rain. and A digital instrument cluster, dual channel ABS, and aerodynamic fairing
KTM Duke 390
The iconic KTM Duke 390 gets a major power-up for 2024! This streetfighter favourite has been hitting the gym and emerges even brawnier and more powerful. The signature edgy design might not be for everyone, but for those who crave a head-turning ride with unmatched performance, the Duke 390 remains an undisputed champion.
This streetfighter is available in India for around Rs 3.11 lakh. It comes in two colour options, and there’s no high-end version available (yet!).
The legendary KTM engine gets a serious boost in power; The Duke 390 packs a punch with a 399cc Single-cylinder engine that delivers 46 horsepower and 39 Nm of torque, Making it one of the favourites among the adrenaline seekers. The engine is also lighter, has improved cooling, and warms up faster.
KTM has bombarded us with new features in this one, including traction control (finally!) 5-inch TFT dashboard, Smartphone connectivity with turn-by-turn navigation, call management, and music control, Supermoto ABS: Cornering ABS and traction control and a Quick shifter! And for the drag enthusiasts a Launch control and Ride modes; street, rain, and track.
Not your only option:
Looking for a similar engine with a different aesthetic? Check out the Husqvarna Svartpilen 401. It shares the Duke 390’s potent heart but offers a more understated, “darker” design.
Triumph Scrambler 400X
The wait is over! After 77 years, a legendary collaboration between Britain and India has yielded a masterpiece – the Scrambler 400X. While their initial partnership focused on the Speed 400, the Scrambler is a dream come true for adventure junkies. This scrambler seamlessly blends iconic British
heritage with Bajaj’s renowned reliability. Its minimalist design might lack some features found on other 400cc bikes, but the raw, retro aesthetics are undeniably captivating.
The Triumph Scrambler 400X starts at a budget-friendly price of Rs. 2,64,496 in India. There’s currently only one version available, the Scrambler 400X STD.
The Speed 400’s sibling packs a punchy 398cc, single-cylinder engine with 40 PS of peak power and 37.5 Nm of torque, perfect for zipping through city streets or conquering weekend adventures. Powerful 320mm disc brake with switchable ABS. Upside-down forks in the front and an adjustable shock in the rear soak up bumps, keeping you comfortable even on rough roads.
The Scrambler 400X comes with a feature called a “torque-assist clutch.” This makes squeezing the clutch lever easier, especially in stop-and-go traffic, without sacrificing control when you need it. It’s basically a helping hand for your clutch control! Its minimalist design might lack some features found on other 400cc bikes, but the raw, retro aesthetics are undeniably captivating.
The arrival of the Scrambler 400X is a significant addition to the 400cc segment. Spy shots of the upcoming Thruxton 400 hint that this British-Indian collaboration is just getting started, with even more exciting bikes on the horizon.
Bajaj Pulsar NS400z
The Biggest Pulsar! While, some might debate its resemblance to the NS200, some of us are here trying to figure out the mysterious “Z” added to the name. What does it mean? We’ll have to wait and see! But one thing’s for sure Bajaj isn’t messing around when it comes to features. This bike is loaded. The NS400z offers incredible value for beginners looking to enter the exciting world of 400cc motorcycles. It goes toe-to-toe with rivals like the Harley 440x, Maverick 440, Z400, and Imperiale 400, but its price tag blows them all out of the water.
The “flagship” Bajaj motorcycle, NS400Z has a ridiculously lucrative starting price of ₹1,85,000 in India! It comes in one variant and four exciting and youthful colours.
This 373cc, liquid-cooled beast delivers 40 horsepower and 35 Nm of torque. And the signature underbelly exhaust – a nod to the NS200’s stunting legacy. It features a 6-speed gearbox with an assist and slipper clutch. Totally worth it for the given price point.
The Biggest Pulsar is loaded with features like- Four riding modes – Road, Rain, Sport, and Off-road – to get the perfect power and ABS settings for any terrain. Full-colour LCD screen with Bluetooth connectivity, digital fuel gauge, tachometer, gear position indicator, speedometer, odometer, and trip meter as well as a tiny TFT Display.! Full LED and dual-channel ABS But that’s not all! Switchable traction control, adjustable levers for comfort, a smooth-shifting clutch, and a muscular wide hydroform tube round out this feature-packed Indian machine!
And of course, the verdict on the lightning bolt LED DRLS is subjective but they are definitely electrifying.