The Ultimate Guide to Commuter Bikes: Choose Your Ideal Ride

India is home to one of the largest and fastest-growing commuter bike markets in the world. The ever-growing demand for commuter bikes stems from the need for a convenient and practical mode of transport to whiz past congested streets. Simplifying everyday travel, commuter bikes boast lightweight and practical designs offering unmatched manoeuvrability and handling capabilities. The best commuter bikes feature small, frugal engines to bring you great mileage and low running costs - all at an affordable price point.

Top two-wheeler brands like Hero MotoCorp, Honda, and Bajaj offer stylish commuter bikes custom-made for Indian roads. Equipped with top-notch fuel-saving technology, digital consoles, electric start, and even Bluetooth connectivity, the latest commuter bikes are more than just daily travel partners. However, with so many options available on the market, choosing one can be daunting. So, if you are looking for the best bike for office commutes, here is a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed choice.

Commuter bikes overview

India boasts one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets for commuter bikes, driven by the need for practical and convenient urban transport solutions amidst bustling streets. These bikes are renowned for their lightweight, maneuverable designs, and economical engines that prioritize mileage and affordability. Top brands like Hero MotoCorp, Honda, and Bajaj offer commuter bikes equipped with advanced features such as fuel-saving technologies, digital consoles, and Bluetooth connectivity, enhancing their utility beyond mere transportation. With a wide range of options available, selecting the best commuter bike involves considering factors like mileage, engine displacement, comfort, maintenance costs, and affordability.

Things to consider when choosing a commuter bike

To shop for the perfect commuter bike that meets your requirements, here is a list of factors you should consider.

• Mileage: Mileage is critical to enjoying cost-effective daily commutes on a bike. Thus, when purchasing a daily commute bike, you must ensure it offers good mileage figures. Fuel efficiency numbers for excellent commuter bikes range from 60-80 kmpl.
• Engine displacement: Commuter bikes in India feature small, frugal engines. Engine displacement in this category can vary from 100cc to 150cc. For better fuel efficiency numbers, you can pick a model with low engine displacement. However, if you want more speed, power, and torque on your daily commute, you should opt for a commuter bike with greater engine displacement.
• Comfort: Since commuter bikes are used for everyday travel, comfort is a significant factor in making the right choice. Ergonomic-designed commuter bikes are generally lightweight, with many featuring grab rails, long seats, and ample ground clearance.
• Maintenance costs: While most top commuter bikes in India boast a practical design with sturdy and reliable body parts, maintenance costs can vary depending on the engine cc and brand. Ideally, you should compare the maintenance costs of shortlisted models to find the best low-maintenance option.
• Adjustable rear shock absorbers: Apart from good ground clearance, a commuter bike should also feature adjustable rear shock absorbers since Indian roads are dotted with potholes and bumps. Adjustable shock absorbers can adapt to different riding conditions in the city, ensuring greater comfort and enhanced safety.
• Price: Lastly, you need to consider the cost of the commuter bike. As travel essentials, commuter bikes are cheaper than other types of bike models available in the market. Thus, you can find several cheap commuter bikes from a starting price of Rs. 60,000 (ex-showroom).

List of top 10 commuter bikes price in India 2024

Assessing the factors above will help you find a great commuter bike that fits your requirements. Here is a comprehensive list of the best commuter bikes in India to help you make an informed choice.

* Ex-showroom price in Delhi. On-road prices will vary from city to city.

Which is the best commuter bike in India

This guide highlights the top commuter bike models under the following popular categories to simplify your search for the best commuter bikes.

Hero Splendor Plus XTEC: Best commuter bike for mileage

Retailed in one variant and four colour options, the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC is one of the best mileage bikes available in India. This 100cc commuter bike is powered by a 97.2cc air-cooled four-stroke engine that produces a peak power of 7.91 bhp and a peak torque of 8.05 Nm. This frugal engine, plus Hero’s i3S idle start-stop system, improves fuel efficiency, ensuring a city mileage of 83.2 kmpl and a highway mileage of 95.8 kmpl. This makes it one of the best bikes for daily commutes. Additionally, this entry-level commuter bike also flaunts a segment-first digital console with real-time mileage indicators to keep you updated with mileage figures.

Honda CD 110 Dream DLX: Best low-maintenance commuter bike

Commanding a kerb weight of 112 kg, the CD 110 Dream is one of the lightest and best low-maintenance commuter bikes in the country. This entry-level 110cc commuter bike runs on a 109.51cc engine that produces a peak power of 8.67 bhp and a peak torque of 9.30 Nm. The no-frills design of the bike includes a body-coloured front fender, five-spoke alloy wheels, and a chrome heat shield. The practical design and top-notch cycle parts of this perfect commuter bike bring maintenance costs down to a little over Rs. 5,000 in two years.

Hero HF Deluxe: Best budget commuter bike

With ex-showroom prices starting from Rs. 67,408, the Hero HF Deluxe is one of the best affordable commuter bikes in India. Equipped with a reliable 97.2cc air-cooled engine, Hero’s XSens technology, and i3S system, HF Deluxe also keeps your fuel expenses low. This entry-level 100cc clocks a decent mileage of 65 kmpl, making it the best budget bike for commuting.

Key highlights of commuter bikes

Easy finance for your commuter bike

Choosing your ideal ride by investing in a good commuter bike does not mean spending the better part of your monthly salary or dipping into your savings pool. You can easily bypass all this and upgrade to a good bike for daily commutes with the Bajaj Finserv Two-wheeler Loan. With this two-wheeler loan, you can secure up to Rs. 21 lakh and finance your commuter bike purchase. You can then divide the repayment burden into easy instalments, pacing them out over a convenient tenure of up to 72 months. Moreover, Bajaj Finance offers up to 100% financing, covering the bike’s on-road price. So, you can purchase the best commuter bike without putting down a deposit.