Usually, higher performance will make a rather big ask of your wallet, but if you are looking for a respectable level of performance on a bit of a tight budget, here’s a list of five properly quick bikes under the Rs 3 lakh mark.
All prices ex-showroom Delhi.
5. Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z
40hp, Rs 1.81 lakh
The Pulsar NS400Z is the epitome of bang-for-buck performance today in India. It is powered by the older 373cc mill, and with its recent update, its peak output stands at 43hp and 35Nm. Bajaj has also bestowed the biggest Pulsar with grippier rubber, stronger brakes and a bidirectional quickshifter, making the NS400Z better VFM than ever before.
4. RE Guerrilla 450 and Himalayan
40hp, Rs 2.39 lakh - Rs 2.54 lakh (Guerrilla)
Rs 2.85 lakh - Rs 2.98 lakh (Himalayan)
The Guerrilla 450 is a 450cc roadster imagined by Royal Enfield, and it is powered by the same Sherpa 450 mill as the Himalayan, making 40hp and 40Nm (the highest torque figure on this list). However, it is much lighter at 181kg and runs on 17-inch alloy wheels. Speaking of the Himalayan, that is also a contender on this list because it too makes 40hp and 40Nm of torque and is priced just under the Rs 3 lakh mark.
3. Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400s
40hp, Rs 2.46 lakh (Speed)
Rs 2.67 lakh (Scrambler 400 X)
Rs 2.94 lakh (Scrambler 400 XC)
The Speed 400 was the first product to emerge from the Bajaj-Triumph partnership, and with its classy looks paired with modern 40hp performance, it is a unique offering in the class. Just like the aforementioned RE 450s, there is also an off-road capable machine in the form of the Scrambler 400 X, which also falls well below the Rs 3 lakh threshold.
2. Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
46hp, Rs 2.92 lakh
With the new gen-2 Husqvarna models, Bajaj has solved the unique problems that plagued the earlier bikes, and we finally have the 401 with 390 Duke levels of power and performance in India. Coming in at Rs 2.92 lakh, the Svartpilen 401 is essentially a more subtle and classy 390 Duke sans some electronic features.
1. KTM 390 Duke
46hp, Rs 2.97 lakh
The 390 Duke introduced India to proper performance machinery at an accessible price, and the 2025 bike stays true to that. In fact, Bajaj has now even given the bike cruise control, which should help 390 Duke owners when they go on long tours – an occurrence that happens quite often.
Also See: Most powerful bikes under Rs 5 lakh
