Cruiser bikes, also known as cruiser motorcycles, are a popular category of motorcycles known for their relaxed riding position, stylish design, and comfortable long-distance riding capabilities. In India, the cruiser bike segment has gained considerable popularity among motorcyclists looking for a combination of style, power and comfort for their riding adventures.  Indian cruiser bikes are characterized by low frames, rear handlebars and relaxed riding positions that allow riders to comfortably stretch their legs and enjoy a stress-free riding experience. These bikes usually have high displacement engines that provide plenty of power and torque for road speed and easy overtaking.  One of the main characteristics of cruiser bikes is their iconic styling, often inspired by classic American motorcycles. They usually have long and sleek profiles, chrome accents, wide fenders and large fuel tanks that give them a distinctive retro look. Some of the most popular cruiser bike brands in India are Harley-Davidson, Indian Motorcycle, Triumph and Royal Enfield.

Cruiser bikes are designed with long distances in mind and offer features like comfortable seats, roomy saddlebags, windproof windshields and advanced suspension systems for a smooth ride. Designed to offer a balance between performance and comfort, these bikes are ideal for riders who enjoy covering long distances and looking stylish on the road.  In recent years, the Indian market has seen an increase in the availability of intermediate and entry-level cruiser bikes, making them more accessible to a larger number of riders. This has helped increase the  popularity of cruiser bikes and they are favored by experienced riders as well as newcomers to the motorcycle world.  All in all, Indian cruiser bikes offer a unique blend of style, power and comfort, making them an attractive choice for riders looking to cover long distances or simply enjoy leisurely cruising on the open road. Cruiser bikes continue to attract motorcycle enthusiasts across the country with their unique aesthetics and performance-oriented features. Here are the top cruiser bikes in India under 2.5lakhs that are budget friendly:

Benelli Imperiale  400

Benelli India has announced that it has reduced the price  of  the Imperiale 400 by Rs 10,000, taking the bike  to Rs 1.89  (ex-showroom). The price is also the same for all color options: silver, red and black. Benelli previously launched the Imperiale 400 Retro Edition in Thailand with a smoked mosquito net and fork controls. The model was produced in limited quantities, only 100 pieces. Expect the bike maker to launch an accessorized version of the same Imperiale 400 in India sometime in the future.  Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 Price:  The Imperiale 400 BS6 is now priced at Rs 1.89 lakh (ex-showroom, India). This is a  drop of Rs 10,000 from the previous asking price.

Features of Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6:  Apart from the BS6 engine upgrade, the Imperiale 400 remains cosmetically unchanged. As an old-school retro bike, the Imperiale has key features like a halogen headlamp and bulb-like tail lamps and turn signals. It has a retro-looking twin pod instrument cluster with a digital interface for the fuel gauge and odometer.

Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 Engine:   The Imperiale 400 BS6 now gets an updated BS6-compliant 374cc air-cooled, fuel-injected single-cylinder engine. Power remains unchanged at 21 hp and 29 Nm. However, peak power is achieved at 6,000rpm, up 500rpm from before, while peak torque is now available at 3,500rpm, down 1,000rpm from before. It still uses a 5-speed gearbox.

 Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 Suspension and Brakes:  The Imperiale 400 BS6 remains mechanically unchanged. It continues to use the same telescopic forks and double shock suspension. The wheels remain the same, 19-inch front / 18-inch rear with tubular tires, while the braking system includes a 300mm front disc and a 240mm rear disc  with dual-channel ABS. Despite the updated engine and the addition of a catalytic converter, the curb weight remains the same at 205 kg.

Benelli Imperiale 400 exterior details:  Inspired by retro motorcycles, the Benelli Imperiale 400 is designed to appeal to classic motorcycle enthusiasts. The classic Benelli is 2170 mm long, 820 mm wide and 1120 mm high. In addition, it has a ground  of 165 mm, a fuel tank capacity of 12 liters and an empty weight of 205 kg.

Benelli Imperiale 400 handling:  As for the bike parts, the bike is equipped with  41mm telescopic fork suspension at the front and preload adjustable dual shock absorbers at the rear. The braking system consists of a 300 mm disc brake at the front and a 240 mm disc brake at the rear. The front is 100/90-19 and the rear is 130/80-18. Finally, the bike is built around a double cradle chassis.

Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 Competitors:  The main competitors of Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 are other retro bikes like  Jawa BS6 and  2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350. In terms of price, it competes with other motorcycles like KTM 250 Duke, Royal Enfield Himalayan, KTM RC200, Bajaj Dominar 400, the new. Honda H’ness CB350 and the Royal Enfield Meteor 350.

What are the pros and Cons of Benelli Imperiale 400?

Pros:

The Imperiale 400 is powered by a 374cc fuel-injected single-cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 21 PS at 5,500 rpm and 29 Nm at 4,500 rpm. This is a brand new unit that Benelli  made specifically for their Classic 350 competitor and we are happy to report that this engine is a gem. The engine is lively, although it vibrates past 5500rpm, which is honestly just a slight steering hum.

With a wide and comfortable seat, an easily accessible steering wheel and centrally placed footrests, the Imperiale 400 offers an upright and comfortable riding position. Additionally, its seat height is 780mm, which means it is quite accessible for most riders.

The Imperiale 400 is the tallest motorcycle compared to its competitors and has the longest wheelbase of 1440 mm. Despite its large size, the Imperiale 400 is quite easy to live with. However, the longer wheelbase means it has a slightly wider turning radius  compared to its competitors.

Cons:

Benelli  nailed  the ergonomics on it, but the only thing about it is the long haul. For big-footed riders this wouldn’t be a problem, but if you have a small feat, you might find the sighting  a little difficult.

With its weight of 205 kg, the Imperiale 400 is the heaviest bike in its segment, and  you do not feel the weight of the bike when you move. However, the thickness of the wheel becomes noticeable when parking or maneuvering at low speeds, as the very long spokes hit the legs, which can be annoying.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

 

The Meteor 350, like other Royal Enfield bikes, has been updated to meet the latest BS6.2 emission standards. The wheels are now also  E20 compatible. The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is the Chennai-based manufacturer’s first bike  based on their all-new J platform. The motorcycle is also the company’s most affordable cruiser, replacing the Royal Enfield Thunderbird series. Recent spy shots have surfaced, suggesting that Royal Enfield might be developing a more affordable version of the Meteor 350, which might come with wire-spoke wheels and tires. The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is the brand’s first motorcycle  based on the company’s J platform. It is also a spiritual successor to the discontinued Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350X. A half-wheeled 350cc cruiser  was recently spotted, hinting at a more affordable version. The Meteor 350 is available in three different versions: Fireball, Stellar and Supernova,  each  available in both standard and custom colors. The Fireball variant (Red, Yellow, Matte Green and Blue) is priced at Rs 2,04,408 and its Black Custom variant is priced at Rs 2,06,244. The mid-range Stella variant (Red, Black and Blue) costs Rs 2,10,580. The top variant which is Supernova (Blue, Brown and Red) is priced at  Rs 2,25,533 (all prices ex-showroom Delhi).

Features of Royal Enfield Meteor 350:  The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 comes with several features never before seen in any Royal Enfield. The bike has a Tripper navigation case that works with Google Maps and facilitates smart connectivity for turn-by-turn navigation. The bike also features a USB charging port on the left switch, an LED taillight and a circular LED DRL that wraps around the halogen light unit. The overall look remains quite similar to the Thunderbird 350X with its drop-shaped tank and black wheels and mechanicals. The Meteor 350 can also be purchased with optional extras such as a custom windshield, raised plate, pans, seats, footrests, bolsters and more.

Engine Power of Royal Enfield Meteor 350: The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is powered by a single-cylinder, 349cc, BS6.2-compliant, fuel-injected engine that produces 20.2 bhp and 27 Nm. The mill is powered by a five-speed gearbox. The engine is based on the J series chassis, balanced for optimal refinement. It rests inside a twin downtube backbone, which is suspended from a 41mm front fork and a six-stage preload-adjustable twin-tube emulsion shock  at the rear. Braking is handled by a 300 mm front disc with two-piston axle calipers and a 270 mm rear disc with a single-piston floating caliper. The bike has dual-channel ABS as standard. It rolls on 19-inch front and 17-inch  alloy wheels with 100-section and 140-section tubeless tires. The bike weighs 191 kg (tread rim) and has a 15 liter fuel tank. It has an accessible 765mm seat height and a generous 170mm ground clearance.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Design:  Royal Enfield Meteor 350 is quite similar in style to its predecessor (Thunderbird 350X). This cruiser bike features easy-access handlebars and forward-facing footpegs for a relaxed and comfortable riding position. The circular headlight assembly has a halogen bulb but has LED DRLs for a modern touch. The LED taillight and turn signals are also round. The bike has a streamlined design, with a drop-shaped fuel tank blending perfectly with the low-split seats. This retro style is complemented by round steering wheel mirrors, which (along with the exhaust) get an extra finish on higher-end versions.

Suspension and brakes:  The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 comes with  a 41mm telescopic  fork suspended double bottom frame and 6-step preload adjustable dual shock absorbers at the rear. Braking is done with 300mm (front) and 270mm (rear) disc units, and dual-channel ABS is standard. The bike has 19-inch front and 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 100-section and 140-section tubeless tires, respectively.

Royal Enfield Meteor 350 Competitors:  The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 competes with the likes of  Keeway V302C, QJ Motor SRV 300 and Yezdi Roadster. You can also buy Bajaj Dominar 250 and  Jawa Perak which are in  similar price range.

What are the Pros and Cons Of Royal Enfield Meteor 350?

Pros:

Refined engine, modern design with old world “modern classic” charm

The new double tube frame offers good stability and handling

Alloy wheels have tubeless tires

A wide range of customization and color options through the Make-It-Yours program

Brand new dashboard with Tripper navigation box and smartphone connections

Available in three versions with a wide range of customization options

Cons

The Meteor 350 still doesn’t look like a well-proportioned cruiser motorcycle; or an equally attractive retro roadster like the Royal Enfield Classic 350

Top speed  is still limited to around 125 km/h and the effortless cruising speed is actually  110-115 km/h.

The feel of the clutch lever  is heavy and can cause problems if used for long periods of time in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

The instrument cluster does not detect fuel consumption or distance to empty.

Ride quality is a bit firm; not uncomfortable but during day time ride feels firm and not as comfortable as  Royal Enfield Classic 350.

Jawa Perak

Apart from the new BS6.2 (OBD2) compatibility, the Jawa and Yezdi bikes have also been updated with improvements and performance improvements. Jawa  updated the Perak to meet OBD-2 emissions standards, but also to be more refined and capable.

Jawa Perak engine:  The Perak is powered by an OBD-2 compliant 334cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine that produces 30.64bhp and 32.74Nm of torque. The engine is delivered with a six-speed gearbox. In addition to the latest emissions standards, the engine has been fitted with a larger throttle  and exhaust which are said to offer better performance. At the rear, there is a double cradle suspended from the telescopic front fork and a single shock absorber at the rear, which can be adjusted in 7 steps. Braking is done by a 280mm front and  240mm rear disc with  dual-channel ABS.

Jawa Perak design: Perak is basically the quintessence. It has a black theme and golden brown single seat, blacked out engine, exhaust and spoked wheels. The design of the swingarm  is similar to the “swing cage” of the Triumph Bonneville Bobber. This arrangement allows  the rear monoshock to be neatly hidden under the driver. The taillight is located directly under the seat, while the turn signals are attached to the rear fender. In typical bobber style, even the front fender is broken and the body is minimalistic.

Characteristics of Jawa Perak:  The instrument cluster has a minimalist design with just a speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. The bike has dual-channel ABS for optimal safety. Because the wheels are spokes, it has tubular tires on both ends. The bike is definitely a single seater as the swing arm design  does not fit on the seat.

Suspension and brakes: The bike is built on a double cradle frame,  suspended by a traditional telescopic fork at the front and a swingarm monoshock  at the rear. For braking, the Jawa Perak uses a 280mm disc at the front and a 240mm disc at the rear, with  dual-channel ABS as standard. It rolls on 18-inch front and 17-inch half wheels wrapped in 100- and 140-section tubular tires, respectively.

Rivals of Jawa Perak:  Priced at Rs 2.06 lakh, the Jawa Perak is the most affordable true blue cluster you can buy in the country. Its closest competitor is the Royal Enfield Classic 350, which has a kickstand that can be removed to make it a single seater. The bike also takes on the Benelli Imperiale 400. Bikes like the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and  Honda H’ness CB350 can also be considered at the Perak price.

What are the Pros and Cons of Jawa Perak?

Pros:

he Jawa Perak is a beautifully designed motorcycle that is sure to turn heads wherever you go. Factory custom bobber style with  teardrop  fuel tank and  floating seat makes for a pleasing sight. It provides excellent road presence.

The boring 334cc single cylinder engine is versatile and offers good performance in mid and premium cars. There is also a lot of manoeuvrability that makes the motorcycle easy, especially on city roads.

The Jawa Perak is quite nimble and can be wheeled, maneuverer  in and out of traffic and even  corners.

The ride quality of the Jawa Perak is good and  does a good job of handling waves and bad roads, giving  the rider confidence.

Cons:

L quality is not up to par, and for a used model it can deteriorate with time and use. The fit and finish is also not up to par in most areas.

Although the Jawa Perak is a modern classic, it lacks features such as a digital instrument console that only shows the  time. Features like gear position indicator, LED lights, DRL and so on are missing. However, it has dual-channel ABS as standard.

You could argue that the single seat is built into the design, but it gets in the way of practicality, so yes, it sure looks good, but it’s not the most practical modern classic motorcycle.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

 

Hunter 350,  the third motorcycle based on the J platform, is Royal Enfield’s most affordable counterweight motorcycle.

Price:  The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is available in three variants: Factory (Black and Silver), Dapper (Grey, Ash and White) and Rebel (Red, Black and Blue). The factory color variants are priced at Rs 1,49,900 and the mid-range Dapper colors are priced at Rs 1,69,656. The top-of-the-line Rebel color motorcycles will set you back Rs 1,74,655 (prices mentioned are ex-showroom Delhi).

Functions:  Royal Enfield has equipped the Hunter 350 with a retro-style semi-digital instrument cluster and the Tripper pod (a phone-compatible turn-by-turn navigation aid) is optional. The basic factory version has a small digital built-in odometer, fuel gauge, two odometers and a service indicator, while mid and top versions get a larger and more informative digital input that shows the  position and even a clock, like the Meteor. 350. It even has retro-looking rotary switch cubes on both sides, and the left-hand switch cube gets a USB port (on mid- and high-end versions). However, the basic version has a traditional dashboard without a USB port.

Engine:  The Hunter 350 is powered by a 349cc air-cooled single cylinder balanced engine mated to a 5-speed gearbox found on both the Classic 350 and Meteor 350. The engine produces 20.1bhp and 27Nm. The bike has a 13-litre fuel tank and the tested  mileage in real world is 40.19 kmpl on city roads and 35.97 kmpl on  highway.

Suspension and brakes:  The Hunter has a telescopic fork and dual shock absorbers. The top-of-the-line Metro version of the bike has 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in tubeless tyres. The base Retro version, on the other hand, rolls on spoked wheels with different (straighter and tubular) tires.

Both versions of the motorcycle get a 300 mm front plate. But while the Metro version has a 270mm disc at the rear with dual-channel ABS, the Retro version has a 153mm drum brake at the rear with single-channel ABS.  Hunter 350 weighs 181 kg (tear) and is also  the lightest Royal Enfield bike in India.

Competitors:  The Hunter 350 takes cues from the Honda CB350RS and the Jawa 42 2.1. Considering its price, it could even compete with the likes of the upcoming Bajaj-Triumph motorcycle..

What are the pros and cons of Hunter 350?

Pros:

Perfect for those  looking for an affordable Royal Enfield motorcycle that is light and nimble.

Cons:

A slack engine doesn’t really complete the  modern motorcycle chassis. In addition, the lack of functions robs the bike of any modernity.