We’ve countlessly discussed that bikes or rather two-wheelers make up for the major chunk of purchases in the Indian automotive marketplace. India again stands as one of the largest two-wheeler markets, and there is a strong reason why. Of course, then, all the manufacturers have plenty of products specially made for the Indian market, and that, in turn, means there’s a lot of choice for the end buyer to consider. Buyers may definitely get perplexed looking at the bevvy of motorcycles or two-wheelers available in the Indian market, and that’s where our expert judgement comes into play. Needless to say, our roles as motoring journalists allow us to compare bikes in India with respect to every aspect thinkable for an Indian buyer. What might be a fancy looking motorcycle for one, could be a notorious and uncomfortable machine for the other. We are here to help you to make that decision easier, even if by the slightest.

Key Factors to Compare Bikes in India

First things first, the buyer should know what they need, and not what they want. A prospective buyer may aspire of purchasing a high-end sportsbike, but should know regardless of the use case scenario for this vehicle. Now this is where the buyer’s assessment should start. A buyer should assess things like fuel efficiency, daily commute distance, necessary features in their bike comparison process to have a better understanding of what product type will suit their needs. And don’t forget the most vital of it all, the budget!

●       Ahh, the budget!

 It is the factor that will influence a major chunk of the buyer's bike purchasing process. The budget should always consider a bike’s on-road cost and how it will financially put a dent in the buyer’s wallets. There are multiple platforms to compare bikes online that will immediately list out the right bikes for a buyer once the budget is filled in. Since now the budget is decided and allocated, it’s now time to move onto the fun bits.

●       The type of motorcycle

 Anyone would aspire to buy the most performance rich vehicle in their budget, but that’s hardly an informed decision. For most of us, riding in urban environments is where the bike will spend most of its time and the bike comparison process should be tailored to that. Unless a buyer wants a machine to ride on tracks every now and then, the best pick for anyone living in a metro city is a comfortable commuter. Now if you are a tall person, give adventure motorcycles a try, otherwise the Scramblers and naked motorcycles of the world are now as good as they come.

●       Performance? Definitely

 An essential part to compare bikes in India, we now move to the performance and engine specifications. First things first, not all bikes need to have the biggest or more powerful engines. If a buyer needs a daily commuter and is a new rider, a mediocre capacity engine would do justice. Especially since these engines are lighter on fuel consumptions as well. A rider who occasionally thinks of long distance trips can think of a larger engine (even though slightly) because it may hold up well to triple digit speeds without a lot of vibrations. Again, going with a medium capacity engine here is the key, it will not heat up the rider’s legs all this while in the city and will prove its worth during highway rides as well. And also, medium fuel efficiency will also be a part of the package here, which is good considering how fuel efficiency has become a concern with each vehicle in the last couple of years.

●       Bikes can be safe too!

 Safety should be a top criteria for when the buyer compares bikes online, however we have added this after performance because of how the Government and manufacturers in tandem have worked to ensure the modern day machines are fitted with the latest safety standards, even if a buyer is unaware of the same. Combined Braking System or ABS is standard for all two-wheelers and multiple manufacturers have also installed traction control systems in recent budget bikes as well. A buyer just needs to make sure how and when these systems will intervene in saving their lives, if need be.

●       Everyone loves features

 It could be the most underrated thing, but most new bikes now come with TFT/LCD displays and they are actually really capable of informing the rider of what’s happening with their machine in real time. If a buyer travels a lot, we would suggest picking a bike that has the ability to show at least turn-by-turn navigation, since it will make rides easier.

Conclusion

 Considering the assessment items above, it will be much easier for an average Joe to make his next purchase decision. While emotions do play a big factor in deciding anyone’s next machine, it’s always helpful to be mindful about the things we captured above, as it will make ownership easier once the newness of a vehicle starts fading away.