In general, two-wheeler sales and the auto industry have seen a dip ever since the pandemic came back with renewed malice. However, sales have recovered from the shock of 2020 until now, and we can expect that the industry will overcome the second wave of lockdown soon.
With bike loan interest rates remaining favorable, the demand can be expected to continue. In the meantime, early 2021 saw a few clear winners in the two-wheeler sales figures. Scooters like Honda Activa, Suzuki Access, and TVS Jupiter continue to post good numbers, but here are the top five bikes that smiled to the bank in 2021.
Hero Splendor
A regular feature in top-selling lists, the Hero Splendor has maintained steady sales for years. It topped its March 2021 sales of 1.43 lakh units, with 1.93 units sold in April. It has been updated to a BS6-compliant bike, and its ex-factory price starts at Rs 62,000.
The low starting price means an affordable EMI can be expected when you check the two-wheeler loan EMI calculator for the Hero Splendor. It has basic features like an analog console, standard lighting systems, and simple instrumentation readings. To improve mileage, one of its variants, i3S, offers the Idle Stop-Start function.
Honda CB Shine
Honda’s 125 cc commuter bike, CB Shine, has drum and disc brake variants. Both are BS6 compliant. CB Shine has a self-start and kickstart and a maximum power of 10.5 bhp at 7500 pm. Available at an ex-showroom price of Rs 71,000 onwards, the CB Shine claims a 65 km/liter mileage.
Its diamond-type chassis has telescopic front suspension and hydraulic rear suspension. CB Shine sold 80-90,000 units during March and April this year, and it sold close to a million units during the last financial year.
Hero HF Deluxe
Another highly affordable bike from the Hero stable, the HF Deluxe, starts ex-showroom at less than Rs 50,000. Riders appreciate its comfortable riding position and robust design. Apart from being affordable, it is also quite cheap to maintain.
It offers a respectable mileage of 65 km/liter. HF Deluxe is an entry-level bike with BS6 compliance, which gives XSens technology for air-fuel adjustment and the Idle Stop-Start feature. It sold close to 1.15 units in March 2021, followed by a moderate 71,000 in April.
Bajaj Pulsar
Bajaj Pulsar has a wide range of engine options, from 125 to 220 ccs. The entry-level variant, the 125 cc Pulsar, starts at around Rs 73,000 ex-showroom. A bike loan may come in handy to purchase this iconic bike’s Rs 1.5 lakh model.
The Pulsar 125 cc adorns many style statements, including twin-strip LED tail lamps, neon highlights in the tank, and back alloys. In April this year, it sold close to 67,000 units and was featured in last year’s top five best-selling bikes, with 9.45 lakh units.
Bajaj Platina
Another Bajaj bike to round off the list is the Platina. Available in 100 and 110 cc variants, these bikes start at an ex-showroom price of Rs 52,000 and Rs 61,000, respectively. The 100 cc variant claims an affordable 75 km/liter mileage and has self- and kick-start options. Its performance improved, with over 35,000 units sold in April 2021.
Bike loan interest rates have been low for a while now. Now that you know what India prefers to ride on, it is a good time to get a two-wheeler loan and take your favorite bike home.
