The transition we’ve made to BS6 emission norms has significantly increased prices of almost every affordable two-wheeler in India. This price hike doesn’t come as a surprise as manufacturers are forced to use more expensive fueling systems - like fuel injection or an electronically controlled carburetor - to meet what is one of the strictest emission norms in the world.
What this also means is that some of the most affordable scooters in India are no longer as cost efficient as they used to be. Further, customers now have a smaller range to choose from as many companies have discontinued unpopular models to save on the investment required to make the switch BS6.
Without further ado, these are the five most affordable BS6 scooters that are available in India as of end-April 2020:
5) Hero Destini 125 - Rs 64,310 onwards
The competitive priced Hero Destini 125 is the only 125cc scooter that’s made this list. The Destini is even more affordable than Honda’s 110cc Activa 6G, which is quite impressive. We rode this scooter in BS4-spec back when it was launched in 2018 and considered it good value then. This remains true even after the transition to BS6 norms. What we also like is that the BS6 Destini makes 0.2hp and 0.2Nm more than the BS4 version, taking total output to 9hp and 10.4Nm of torque.
4) TVS Jupiter - Rs 61,449 onwards
The TVS Jupiter has been one of our favourite 110cc scooters since its launch in 2013. Despite the price hike, the base variant of the Jupiter still holds a competitive price tag. In BS6 form, the scooter makes 7.4hp, which is 0.5hp less while peak torque remains the same at 8.4Nm. TVS also claims that the BS6 Jupiter now delivers 15 percent better fuel efficiency. Find out how the Jupiter’s specifications compare to those of its direct rival, the Honda Activa 6G here.
3) Honda Dio - Rs 59,990 onwards
The Honda Dio was completely reworked when the company made the switch to BS6. Almost everything is new, including the 7.8hp/8.8Nm, 110cc engine borrowed from the Activa 6G. The scooter also has a new frame that runs a telescopic fork and a larger 12-inch front wheel. Honda has also redone the styling and added many new features like a fully-digital instrument cluster, silent-start system and an external fuel filler cap.
2) Hero Pleasure Plus - Rs 54,800 onwards
Just last year, one of Hero’s most popular scooters got a much-needed overhaul after 14 years. The update was quite thorough and included everything from its design to its mechanicals. The upgrades required to meet BS6 norms haven’t brought any output changes - it continues to produce 8.1hp and 8.7Nm. The Hero Pleasure Plus is the most affordable 110cc scooter in India.
1) TVS Scooty Pep Plus - Rs 51,754 onwards
Despite a price hike of around Rs 6,500, the TVS Scooty Pep Plus continues to be the most affordable scooter in India. The lightweight offering is targeted at beginners and its power figures reflect that. It’s tiny fuel-injected 87.8cc engine makes 5.4hp and 6.5Nm of torque. Fun fact - this is now the smallest fuel-injected engine in the entire personal two-wheeler industry. The Scooty Pep Plus is also the lightest in this list with a kerb weight of just 93kg.
With prices having risen considerably and given the current situation with COVID-19, would you be interested in buying an affordable form of personal transport like one of these scooters? Let us know in the comments section.
Also see:
Top 10 bestselling scooters in FY2020