The most affordable bike on this list is priced at just Rs 1.30 lakh.
Published on Sep 11, 2025 12:50:00 PM
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Follow usJust like many once-exclusive tech features that have gradually made their way into the mainstream, traction control is no longer reserved for high-end motorcycles alone. Initially found on litre-class and above machines, traction control was essential for taming big power and offering a safety net for less experienced riders. However, in recent years, this rider aid has been trickling down rapidly into more accessible segments.
Today, even mass-market and lower-capacity motorcycles are beginning to offer traction control as part of their standard equipment. This initiative is aimed at ensuring rider safety, confidence, and control in a variety of riding conditions, including wet roads and unexpected low-grip surfaces.
This story marks the third instalment in our ongoing series exploring affordable/top 10 bikes with premium features. Following our earlier deep dives into the most affordable bikes with TFT displays and the top 10 bikes with cruise control, this time we shine the spotlight on motorcycles under Rs 2 lakh that now come equipped with traction control.
This flagship Pulsar is powered by KTM’s 373cc liquid-cooled engine, producing 43hp – offered at a remarkably affordable price point. Fittingly enough, it comes equipped with traction control as standard, providing an added safety net for amateur riders.
Aside from a slight bump in power, its most recent update also included grippier Apollo Alpha H1s, refinement of riding modes, and a bi-directional quickshifter. Additionally, the brand also replaced the previous organic brake pads with sintered ones for better braking performance.
The Yamaha R15 is sold in three variants – the entry-level R15S, the R15 V4, and the range-topping R15M. While the R15S is based on the previous generation (V3) and misses out on traction control, the R15 V4 and R15M get the feature along with other premium additions such as a TFT display (on the R15M) and quickshifter.
Much like the R15, its naked sibling also features traction control as standard. It is powered by the same engine and shares its chassis with the R15. Interestingly, despite the R3 and MT-03 being Yamaha’s flagships and costing almost one and a half times more than the 155cc range, they still miss out on this safety net.
The Honda NX200 is the only ADV tourer on this list – and in its segment – to offer traction control as standard. The brand calls this system Honda Selectable Torque Control, and like all the motorcycles on this list, it detects loss of rear wheel traction via a wheel-speed sensor.
The Apache RTR 200 4V recently received a new top-spec variant that introduces traction control as standard, alongside other premium features like a projector headlamp and a TFT display.
Following the same formula as its 200cc sibling, the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V also gets a new top-spec variant with traction control. It also receives a similar projector headlamp with LED DRLs and TFT cluster with Bluetooth connectivity. At Rs 1.48 lakh, it commands a Rs 8,000 premium over the previous top-spec variant.
The Bajaj Pulsar N250 received this safety feature in 2024, making it the first 250 to offer it, even ahead of the more expensive KTM 250 Duke.
The Yamaha FZ-S Fi range starts at Rs 1.31 lakh and goes up to Rs 1.45 lakh for the recently launched FZ-S Fi Hybrid variant with an Integrated Starter Generator. Traction control is standard across the entire FZ-S V4 line-up.
The FZ-X received traction control in 2023 with its E20 update. While its 150cc, 12.4hp engine certainly isn’t powerful enough to demand such a system, it can be useful in low-grip conditions like rain or oil spills. However, this bike does lack dual-channel ABS, which many will see as a more valuable safety feature.
Also see:
Top 5 most powerful bikes under Rs 3 lakh
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