Sticking with our theme, we have doubled the budget from our previous article and compiled a list of the most powerful bikes with an ex-showroom price below Rs 10 lakh. These machines are where serious performance starts to make its way into your hands, with some even making upwards of 80hp. 

10. Triumph Speed Twin 900

900cc parallel twin that produces 65hp

Rs 8.89 lakh – Rs 9.19 lakh

You probably think that the Speed Twin 900 is a suave, relaxed neo-retro roadster that’s not really oriented toward performance, but the relatively modest spec sheet doesn’t paint the full picture. The smallest model in the Bonneville line-up is anything but slow, and with 80Nm of torque on tap, the Speed Twin 900 is a brisk machine, to say the least. You can also opt for the authentic retro Bonneville T100 or the off-road-focused Scrambler 900. However, at Rs 9.69 lakh and Rs 9.59 lakh, respectively, they cost a fair chunk more despite being based on the same platform as the Speed Twin 900.

Also See:

2019 Triumph Street Twin review, test ride

9. Kawasaki Z650

649cc parallel twin that produces 68hp

Rs 6.79 lakh

The Rs 6.92 lakh Kawasaki Z650 is the most affordable bike on this list and by some margin. It is also one of the lighter bikes here, tipping the scales at 191kg. Powering the Z650 is the tried-and-tested 649cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine making 68hp and 64Nm of torque. 

If the sharp and edgy looks of the Z aren’t to your taste, you can opt for the neo-retro Z650RS for just a few thousand rupees more. To give you an idea of how quick these two are, in our tests, the Kawasaki Z650RS managed a 0-100kph run in 4.32 seconds. In fact, you can opt for a Ninja, a Versys or even a Vulcan S, depending on what form factor suits your fancy better, as they are based on the same platform. 

Also See:

2020 Kawasaki Z650 review, test ride

Kawasaki Z650 RS review: Middleweight modern-classic

8. Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark

803cc L-twin that produces 73hp

Rs 9.97 lakh

The Ducati Scrambler Icon Dark is the most affordable model in the Bologna-based brand’s line-up, yet it just about makes the cut, thanks to its price tag of Rs 9.97 lakh. Nonetheless, the Scrambler Icon Dark is a likeable motorcycle that is easy to ride and is approachable for riders of all shapes and sizes.

7. Kawasaki ZX-4R

636cc inline-4 that produces 77hp 

Rs 8.49 lakh

The Kawasaki ZX-4R’s engine is smaller than the Ninja 500’s, but this inline-4 screamer revs to over 14,000rpm (!), which is where the meat of the 77hp is made. With RAM air assistance, this number rises to 80hp. At Rs 8.49 lakh, the littlest ZX is a pricey proposition for sure but promises a riding experience that few other bikes can replicate today. The up-spec ZX-4RR costs Rs 61,000 more but has a bidirectional quickshifter and adjustable higher-spec suspension and is available in the catchy Kawasaki Racing Team colours.

Also See:

Kawasaki Ninja ZX-4RR launched at Rs 9.10 lakh

6. Triumph Trident 660

660cc inline-3 that produces 81hp

Rs 6.95 lakh

The Trident 660 is the most affordable model in Triumph’s big bike line-up. As per our tests, this bike’s punchy 660cc mill propels it from a standing start to 100kph in 4.11 seconds. For Rs 30,000, you can even have the Trident with an optional bidirectional quickshifter. The triple-cylinder engine is remarkably smooth, and in that area, we found it to be better than the erstwhile Honda CB650R. 

You can even opt for the Tiger Sport 660 if you want all-day comfort along with a comparable level of performance, although at Rs 9.45 lakh, it costs a fair deal more than the Trident. The launch of the Daytona 660 also seems to be looming because the model has been listed on the Indian website for quite some time. The 660cc motor has been overhauled for use in the sportbike, and here, it makes a higher 95hp compared to the 81hp in the other two Triumph 660s.

Also See:

Triumph Daytona 660 unveiled; makes 95hp, weighs 201kg

5. Suzuki GSX-8R

776cc parallel twin that produces 82hp

Rs 9.25 lakh

The Suzuki GSX-8R was launched recently, and it produces 1hp more than the Triumph Trident 660. It loses out on a cylinder or two compared to the Triumph Daytona 660 and the Honda CBR650R but manages a higher peak torque of 78Nm from its 776cc parallel-twin motor. This mill also powers the Suzuki V-Strom 800DE but is in a different state of tune and produces less power in the ADV.

4. Honda CB750 Hornet

755cc twin-cylinder engine produces 92hp

Rs 8.60 lakh

Honda’s latest high-capacity entrant in India is the CB750 Hornet. Just like the GSX-8R, the CB750 has a parallel-twin engine. However, it produces 10 additional ponies at 92hp and 75Nm of torque. This engine also powers the XL750 Transalp, making identical power and torque. Priced at Rs 8.60 lakh (ex-showroom, Gurugram), the CB750 Hornet undercuts the CB650R by Rs 60,000, but the latter gets an inline-4 engine.

3. Honda CB650R 

649cc inline-4 that produces 95hp

Rs 9.20 lakh

The Honda CB650R shares its engine and chassis with its faired sibling – the CBR650R – and features the same 649cc inline-4 liquid-cooled engine, producing 95hp. Despite sharing identical power output, it ranks third in this comparison, primarily due to its power-to-weight ratio. The Honda 650 range starts at Rs 9.20 lakh with the neo-retro CB650R and goes up to Rs 9.99 lakh for the faired CBR650R.

2. Triumph Daytona 660

660cc inline-3 that produces 95hp

Rs 9.72 lakh

The Triumph Daytona shares its engine with the Trident 660 and its moniker with the erstwhile Daytona 675. Owing to an overhaul, this Daytona 660 manages to squeeze out 14 additional ponies from the Trident’s 660cc motor. This allows the Daytona 660 to secure a higher spot, even though it produces the same power as the Honda CBR650. As for the pricing, the Daytona costs Rs 9.72 lakh.

1. Kawasaki Z900

948cc inline-4 that produces 125hp

Rs 9.38 lakh

The saying “there’s no replacement for displacement” comes to mind when speaking of the Z900, at least in this company. With 125hp and 98.6Nm of torque on tap, the Kawasaki Z900’s 948cc mill is one of the torquiest in its class. The bike also has a raft of electronic rider aids like power modes, riding modes and switchable traction control. At 212kg, it is also the heaviest machine on this list.

Also See:

Kawasaki Z900 launched at Rs 9.29 lakh

Honourable mention

Rs 10.17 lakh

The Triumph Street Triple R, which makes 120hp, narrowly misses this list due to its Rs 10.17 lakh asking price. However, its on-road prices in most major cities are either on par or even a little lower than the Z900, which attracts higher taxes due to being a CBU import from Kawasaki Motors Thailand. 

Also See:

Triumph Street Triple R, Street Triple RS review: refined aggression