Motorbikes have become an essential part of city commutes in Bangladesh. Whether being an easy solution in rush hours to being a means of earning through ride-sharing, the popularity of bikes is growing day by day. You can get a decent bike for a cheap price in Bangladesh. However, you need to consider several factors as well. So, what are the best motorcycles in Bangladesh? And which one should you get? Let's find out.
How to Choose Your Motorbike?
Understand your abilities
Most newbies make the mistake of going for a sports bike. Sports bikes are designed to be fast and compact rides, something which a new rider should avoid. Instead, you should start with a slower one and work your way to faster bikes as you gain experience. The engine limit is capped at 165 cc in Bangladesh, which still allows for sufficient speed. As a result, it’s better to avoid sports bikes as a newbie.
Understand your needs
Everyone has a different purpose for buying a bike. While most people buy a bike as a commuter, others buy it as a hobby. Again, there is a difference between riding in a city with a lot of traffic or a remote area with less traffic. All of these factors should be considered before buying a bike. For example, a sports bike isn’t the right choice for a daily commute. You can easily go for either commuter or classic. Again, a commuter isn’t a good choice for hobby riding. You can go for a café racer or cruisers instead.
Read Motorcycle Loans in Bangladesh: Turning Your Two-wheeler Dream into Reality
New or Used
There isn’t any set preference when it comes to new or used bikes. Each has its own ups and downs. This is something that should completely depend on your preference and financial means. A new bike will give you peace of mind with warranty coverage. However, if you are a newbie rider, you should go for used ones. This will ensure that you don’t dent up your new bike.
Physical Support
We often tend to ignore is the science behind riding a motorcycle. It's not just clutch and gear and the speed that determines a good bike. You should get a bike that is best suited for your body type. If you are someone short, a sports bike might put a strain on your back due to the front lean. A café racer or a cruiser is best suited for people of short to medium height. Consider your center of gravity, arms reach, and gear shift comfortableness before opting for a certain type.
Best Motorbike Models in Bangladesh
Bajaj V15
We’ll start off our list with a cruiser bike designed for city commutes. The Bajaj V15 bike is made from the scraps of the Indian warship INS Vikrant. Coming in at 1 Lac 60 thousand BDT, this 150 cc bike can be your perfect choice to cruise around the city. It's powered by a DTS-I engine that produces up to 13 Nm of torque at 5500 RPM. It’s a 4 stroke single-cylinder engine that packs quite a punch in its price segment.
The wheelbase comes at 1315mm which makes it perfect maneuverable in short turn circles of cities. The 240 mm brake on the front and back makes it easy to maintain control over the bike. Overall, this is a great bike if you want to incorporate the cruising experience with city commutes.
Read Best Ride Sharing Apps in Bangladesh
Suzuki Gixxer SF
If you’re looking for sports performance on an affordable budget, the Suzuki Gixxer SF can be a great choice. The bike has been around in the Bangladeshi market for quite some time now. The 150 cc bike comes with 4 strokes, 2 valves, air-cooled, and a fuel-injected engine. You are getting a 14.1 BHP power with 14 Nm torque at 600 rpm for a sportier feel. The bike is fast and picks up acceleration like a breeze. The top speed is clocked at 120 Kmph.
The bike also comes with a front-wheel ABS for added security. It incorporates the best of a sports bike and daily commuter. The ease of ride combined with fuel efficiency easily makes it a daily rider for many. The current market price of Suzuki Gixxer SF is 2 Lac 70 thousand.
Bajaj Pulsar 160 NS
If you walk in the streets of Dhaka, chances are you’ll see a Bajaj Pulsar at every corner. This immensely popular bike was first introduced in 2001. Since its release, the bike has become a city staple for many. The naked sports bike has been the first choice considering its high mileage, superior comfort, and security. The bike features a 160 cc engine with a top speed of 133 kmph. You are getting maximum power of 15.5 PS at 8500 rpm whereas the max torque comes at 14.6 Nm with 6500 rpm. It also features 5-speed manual transmission for better control over your ride. At about 1 Lac 90 thousand, this bike is undoubtedly one of the best city riders out there.
Yamaha R15 V3
This bike is for the true sports bikers out there. The R15 V3 is designed to be an all-around sports bike with its solid build and insane power. The model first became available in Bangladesh with its V2. Since its V2 days, it has made its mark on the Bangladeshi market with its demand now higher than ever.
The bike comes with a 155 cc liquid-cooled, 4 valve SOHC engine. You’re getting a max power of 19.04 BHP at 10000 rpm and a max torque of 14.7 Nm at 8500 rpm. When it comes to power and speed, this bike pushes to the legal road limit of 150 kmph. The bike is on the heavier side at 137 kg. This is an expensive bike at 4 Lac 80 thousand BDT but you’re getting more than what you’re paying for.
Read How to Use Ridesharing Vehicles Safely during COVID19 Pandemic
Honda CBR 150R
The Honda CBR 150R is the direct competitor of the Yamaha R15 V3. Both of them share almost similar specifications. However, the CBR 150R is a more balanced choice when it comes to speed and comfort.
The bike has a 150 cc engine with a max power of 17.1 BHP at 9000 rpm and14.4 Nm at 7000 rpm. The maximum speed of this bike is 127 kmph. You will get a 40 kmpl mileage with this one which is much better than the R15 V3. The bike has a better mount and dismount facility as it is comparatively lower than the R15 V3. The CBR 150R is a pricey bike at 5 Lac BDT. However, you will get an all-around performance and comfort riding this bike.
KTM Duke 125 European Edition
KTM bikes aren’t that popular when compared to the veterans like Yamaha or Honda in Bangladesh. However, the company is making steady strides in the local market by offering incredible quality for the money.
The KTM Duke 125 European Edition is a naked sports bike designed to be the perfect daily commute. The bike is equipped with a 125 cc, single-cylinder, 4V / DOHC, 4-stroke engine. You will be getting a 15 BHP max power at 10000 rpm and 12 Nm max torque at 7500 rpm. The bike will give you a mileage of 41 kmpl with a max speed of 120 kmph. This bike can be a great choice for city commuters and long riders alike.
Read Not a joyride: Ridesharing companies failing to serve users
Hero Thriller 160R
The Hero Thriller 160R is a 160 cc commuter bike aimed at regular daily riders. The bike comes with a BS6 compliant air-cooled fuel-injected motor. The only drawback of this bike is that it’s a 2 valve engine. However, it can still pack some serious speed. You are getting a max power of 15.2 PS and max torque of 14 Nm. You can either opt for a single ABS or dual ABS with this bike.
The main selling feature of this bike is its ergonomics. The bike is built on a sturdy structure that assists in your balance. You won't face any problem riding this bike even as a beginner.
TVS Apache RTR
The TVS Apache RTR is another common sight in the streets of Bangladesh. Whether it's city commutes or rural driveways, this bike breezes through every terrain. The naked sports bike is available for 1 Lac 80 thousand BDT. For the price, you are getting a 160 cc engine with a max power of 16.28 BHP at 8000 rpm and 14.8 Nm torque at 6500 rpm.
The four-stroke, single-cylinder is good for a top speed of 120 kmph. The bike features a front ABS with an option for dual-channel one. The key selling feature of this bike is its mileage. You are going to get around 45 kmpl with this bike which is commendable considering the city traffic.
Read Best Car Loans in Bangladesh to Grab Your Dream Car
Bottom Line
That concludes our list of the best motorcycle models in Bangladesh in 2021. The choice of bikes ultimately comes down to personal preference and ride choice. While specifications are just there for you to see what's on the offer, you should get a hands-on experience before getting one to see whether the motorcycle is fit for you or not.