Best Looking Motorcycles of India: My Top 10

A properly styled bike in most cases guarantees that the sales numbers will keep on ticking. As they say it "Well begun is half done" Personally to me, styling is what makes a bike more emotional and closer to the heart. In fact to me, styling of your bike defines what kind of person you are.

Although styling is a matter of personal taste.. and in most cases lies in the eyes of the beholder. But one can't argue against the fact that a bike has to look good from "every possible angle" to be called as one of the best styled bikes.

Also a bike need not be always "sporty" to be called good looking. Beauty can definitely be found in simplicity as well.

Note: Bikes like the Ninja 250R has not been included since it is an import assembled in India. Bikes like the Honda CBR250R and KTM 200 Duke have not been launched in India yet, therefore they do not find a place in the (2010) list below.

Bikes like the TVS Apache RTR and Hero Honda Hunk do not make it to the list because in terms of styling they have just followed the leader, i.e. the Bajaj Pulsar and do not bring anything novel in terms of styling.

Posted below are my Top 10 Best Styled Bikes of India.. till date.

10. Hero Honda Splendor

Styling of the Splendor has remained exactly the same (except the addition of alloy wheels and graphics changes) since 1994. This has actually helped the Splendor retain its simple/classic commuter looks. I like the styling of the Splendor. Kind of reminds me of the simpler days of my childhood.

09. Hero Honda Passion Pro APDV

The latest Hero Honda Passion Pro goes to how good graphics and intelligent use of color can make a bike which is essentially a commuter appear sporty and stylish. Once upon a time I used to loathe the Passion and used to call it just a bike with extra plastic. But the 2010 Passion Pro APDV is a decent job in styling.

08. Hero Honda Karizma R

The Karizma R was once the most desirable domestic motorcycle in India. Its fixed half fairing gave many deprived desi riders their first and nearest taste of riding a full faired sports bike. The “R” variant (2007) gave it new body stickers and a large belly pan which nearly makes the bike look like a full faired offering. Although the Karizma R is no longer as contemporary, it still is a decent looker. 


07. Hero Honda CBZ (the original from 1998/99)

Ahh, my first bike. The bike which started my love affair with bikes. Although discontinued long back, the CBZ would still look much better than some styling disasters from the house of Hero Honda itself.

06. Yamaha RD350

The simple clean lines of the Yamaha RD350 does not exactly give away the kind of monster it was on the road. The 1980’s design still appeals to my heart like a favorite old song.

05. Bajaj Pulsar 180 UG II (Fear the Black Edition)

This bike made the “all black” paint scheme (found on every bike in India these days) popular in India. This was also the bike from which I started to admire and respect the Pulsar brand.

04. Yamaha FZ-16

When shown in the 2008 New Delhi Auto Expo, I did not imagine that this could be a production model. With its beefy fat tyres and body panels appeared more like a show concept model which usually never makes it into reality. The Yamaha FZ 16 was a rude jolt (in a very good way) to motorcycle design in India. The FZ16 was two generations ahead of any motorcycle in India in terms of styling.

The only reason why I have put it at a lower position in this countdown is because of the side panels which looks like an expanse of plastic to me and which could have been styled better.

03. Yamaha Fazer

As a concept, I do not approve of the Fazer as it is essentially the FZ-16 but with a 5 kg heavier half fairing. Performance wise the half fairing does nothing but cosmetically the Fazer does look very good.

02. Bajaj Pulsar 180 UG IV/200/220 (with bikini headlamp)

The most handsome Pulsars so far, that’s how I would rate them. The Pulsar 200 (now discontinued), the Pulsar 180 UG IV and the Pulsar 220 (with bikini headlamp) share the same chassis and nearly all body parts which makes them looking like identical triplets. In terms of proportion, these Pulsars are to me almost perfect and the styling has a timeless appeal to it.

Back in 2007, I might have thought the Karizma R to be a better looker than the Pulsar 200, but now in 2010 I would like to reverse my opinion.

01. Royal Enfield Classic 350/500

Wow..!! That was my first reaction when I saw the Classic for the first time. Classic British single from the 1950’s, this is what Royal Enfield should be in its purest form. The new Unit Construction Engine (UCE) also adds to the retro appeal. The new engine loses the exposed oil lines of the old cast iron engines and is a clean and pleasing looking unit.

The Royal Enfield Classic has a waiting period of around 10 months, which is currently the highest in the two wheeler industry. Just goes on to show what wonders a good design can do for a product and for a brand.

[via 2wheelsindia.com]