10 most fuel-efficient motorcycles in India

Petrol prices have reached an all-time high and so here is a list of bikes that burn as little of it as possible. For the sake of this list, we will consider only the ARAI tested efficiency figures that are claimed by the manufacturers. So, while these numbers might not exactly match real world fuel efficiencies, they’re a good indication of which bikes are at the top of the game in getting the most kilometres to each litre of petrol. 

 

 

 

With an almost unbelievably high fuel efficiency that goes into triple digits, was there any doubt that this bike was going to be at the top of our list? Hero MotoCorp basically took its bestselling product of all time, the Splendor, and put what it calls ‘i3s technology’, or idle Start Stop System. What this system does is switch off the engine every time you pull the bike to a halt and idle for more than a few seconds, and automatically restart it when you pull in the clutch once again. Switching off the motor during idle situations makes an already very efficient motor even more so.

 

 

 

The original CT 100 was one of the more successful bikes in its segment and Bajaj brought the name back a few years ago to signify its resolve in taking on the competition in a class that is undoubtedly the largest chunk of the Indian two-wheeler space. It’s billed as the slightly less premium sibling to the Platina, but gets almost similar features such as the SNS rear suspension. However, the motor doesn’t get DTS-i technology and makes slightly lesser torque as compared to the Platina. The company also launched a variant called the CT 100 B that features a round headlight instead of a headlight cowl, which is over Rs 1,000 cheaper.

 

 

 

The Platina has always been one of Bajaj’s bestselling and highly efficient motorcycles. In its 2015 avatar, the Platina sports new styling along with an electric start as standard. The air-cooled motor features the company’s proprietary DTS-i twin-spark for improved combustion efficiency leading to the high mileage figure that the company claims. Now marketed with what the company calls “ComforTec”, the Platina features the company’s dual-spring SNS (spring-in-spring) rear suspension with a claimed 22 percent longer travel than its competition as well as claimed 28 percent longer front suspension (again, compared to its competition). This is supposed to make it one of the most comfortable bikes available, and just to drive that point home, it also gets what Bajaj claims to be the longest seat (21.9 inches) in the segment made from a unique foam structure for added softness. At 190mm, even the ground clearance is said to be the highest in class. So, tackling the worst of Indian roads shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

 

 

 

The TVS Sport has been around for quite some time, but a few years ago, the Chennai-based company launched an updated version of this entry-level commuter motorcycle, which boasts an even higher fuel efficiency. Besides a bump in the mileage, TVS has equipped the motorcycle with a few more features. It now gets electric start as standard, aluminium grab rails, a chrome muffler guard and a new instrument cluster. The Sport is powered by TVS’ DuraLife Engine that reduces the friction in engine components and provides improved fuel efficiency. The company claims that this makes the bike “the most appealing economy motorcycle”. It’s also the only motorcycle in the 100cc class that features large 130mm drum brakes that facilitate better braking.

 

 

Hero MotoCorp has been known to make a huge number of products based on the same basic platform. So even right now, the company has about nine motorcycles based almost exactly on its ever so successful Splendor platform. And with a mileage figure of nearly 90kpl, it’s the HF series of bikes from this family that takes the number six spot in terms of the chart of the most fuel efficient bikes in the country. The HF series is billed as the more affordable take on the Splendor, with a few features left out to keep costs down. Currently, there are three bikes in this range starting with the most affordable HF Dawn, going on to the HF Deluxe and the HF Deluxe ECO, the last of which actually features low rolling resistance tyres for better mileage. Hero has also added a new model to the HF range, the HF Deluxe i3S, which features the start-stop technology from the Splendor i-Smart, so it’s even more efficient now. As for the engine, there is no real difference in specs between these bikes and the other Splendors.

 

 

 

Often, it’s hard for motorcycles to differentiate themselves in this cut-throat commuter motorcycle segment, but the Mahindra Centuro certainly does try its hardest. Apart from its distinctive styling, it gets a number of segment-first features such as a flip-key and find-me lamps which flash along with audio beeps at a press of a button on this key, to help locate the bike in a crowded parking lot. Then there are take-me-home lamps which stay on to light up your path once you’ve parked and locked your bike. And to top it off, the Centuro gets a tachometer, along with a digital instrument cluster. Mahindra also offers variants of this bike which get a 240mm disc brake at the front for enhanced braking performance. The Centuro packs a 106.7cc, single-cylinder motor, which comes with the company’s patented lubrication system for improving efficiency.

 

 

 

The Saluto RX is the latest bike in this list, launched recently as part of Yamaha’s initiative to make headway into the commuter bike space. The company says that the target market for the bike is rural youngsters and that was part of the reason for bringing back the legendary RX name in a bid to have better brand recall. The Saluto RX’s 110cc motor is based on that of its larger capacity sibling, the Saluto 125, and also gets some mileage improving features such as the offset cylinder. There isn’t much to write home about in terms of specifications, with the motor churning out 7.5hp of peak power and 8.5Nm of torque. However, a kerb weight of just 98kg should make for a sprightly ride.