Single-cylinder motorcycles have long formed the backbone of the Indian market, shouldering expectations of being frugal, reliable and easy to live with, while also delivering an engaging riding experience without excessive vibrations - up to a certain point. However, pushing for higher performance from a single-cylinder layout often brings increased vibrations and compromises in refinement.
This is where twin-cylinder engines come into play. With better inherent balance, they offer improved smoothness and stronger performance, making them a natural upgrade for buyers seeking a more polished experience.
Manufacturers have taken note of this shift. Royal Enfield, for instance, has expanded beyond its long-stroke singles to introduce parallel-twin models.
Here’s a list of the most affordable twin-cylinder motorcycles in India priced under Rs 10 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), arranged in alphabetical order.
Aprilia
Tuono 457 - 4.01 lakh
RS 457 - Rs 4.26 lakh - Rs 4.41 lakh
Aprilia launched the RS 457 in India in late 2023, debuting a new 457cc, inline twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 47.6hp and 43.5Nm. Like the bigger Aprilia 660s, the 457cc engine features a 270-degree crankshaft, contributing to its characterful power delivery and V-Twin sound and pulse.
Notably, this engine is manufactured in India at Piaggio’s facility in Baramati, Maharashtra. While it debuted in the RS 457, the engine was later extended to its naked sibling, the Tuono 457, which was introduced in early 2025.
Benelli
Leoncino - Rs 5.60 lakh
502C - Rs 5.80 lakh
TRK 502 - Rs 6.62 lakh
TRK 502 X - Rs 7.14 lakh
Benelli made its foray into the Indian market with a range of inline twin-, three- and four-cylinder motorcycles, but its current portfolio has since been streamlined to four 500cc inline twin-cylinder models.
The Benelli TRK 502 range was updated last year with the addition of a TFT display, heated grips and a heated rider’s seat. Benelli also introduced new safety features, including a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and a slipper clutch.
Mechanically, the TRK range remains unchanged, continuing to be powered by the same 500cc, inline twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 47hp and 46Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox, which secures its place on this list. This engine also underpins other models in the brand’s lineup, such as the Leoncino 500 and the Benelli 502C, which have different form factors and price points.
Honda
NX500 - Rs 6.33 lakh
Honda, the world’s largest-selling two-wheeler manufacturer, has two parallel twin-cylinder models in India priced under Rs 10 lakh. Starting with the smaller-displacement offering, the Honda CB500X underwent a thorough revision to transform into the Honda NX500. It is powered by a 471cc, parallel twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine producing 47.5hp and 43Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. The NX500 rides on a 19/17-inch (front/rear) wheel setup.
CB750 Hornet - Rs 9.22 lakh
The CB750 Hornet, launched last year, marked the culmination of Honda’s recent wave of BigWing-exclusive introductions. The NX500 is an adventure-tourer, while the CB750 Hornet is a middleweight naked roadster. It shares its 755cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine with the XL750 Transalp, although the latter is priced above Rs 10 lakh. In both models, this engine produces 91.7hp and 75Nm, and is paired with a six-speed gearbox.
Kawasaki
Kawasaki, the Japanese marque with almost its entire portfolio of big bikes on sale in India, also has the widest twin-cylinder portfolio under Rs 10 lakh. Its lineup spans three engine platforms - 300cc, 500cc and 650cc - across multiple models.
Ninja 300 - Rs 3.17 lakh
Versys-X 300 - Rs 3.49 lakh
Starting with the smallest, the 296cc, parallel twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine powers the Ninja 300 and the recently reintroduced Versys-X 300. In both models, it produces 39hp and 26.1Nm. There are small differences in engine tune, with the Versys producing peak power 500rpm higher in the rev-range at 11,500rpm, whereas the Ninja 300 produces 0.1Nm more torque.
Ninja 500 - Rs 5.66 lakh
Eliminator - Rs 6.16 lakh
Moving up, you have the Eliminator 500 and Ninja 500, which use a 451cc, twin-cylinder engine. This engine produces 45.4hp and 42.6Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox, and also underpins the recently unveiled Kawasaki KLE500, which is expected to go on sale in India sometime this year.
Z650 - Rs 7.26 lakh
Z650RS - Rs 7.83 lakh
Ninja 650 - Rs 7.91 lakh
Vulcan S - Rs 8.13 lakh
Versys 650 - Rs 8.63 lakh
Kawasaki’s venerable 649cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine has been around for nearly two decades and powers the widest range of models, including the Ninja 650, Z650, Z650RS, Versys 650 and the Vulcan S. It produces up to 68hp and 64Nm, with outputs varying slightly depending on the model.
Royal Enfield
Interceptor 650 - Rs 3.35 lakh - Rs 3.66 lakh
Continental GT 650 - Rs 3.53 lakh - Rs 3.82 lakh
Bear 650 - Rs 3.75 lakh - Rs 3.98 lakh
Classic 650 Twin - Rs 3.65 lakh - Rs 3.79 lakh
Shotgun 650 - Rs 3.98 lakh - Rs 4.13 lakh
Super Meteor 650 - Rs 4.03 lakh - Rs 4.37 lakh
Royal Enfield garnered significant attention with the launch of its 650cc twins - the Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 - in 2018, offering them at a highly competitive price point.
This 648cc, parallel twin-cylinder, air/oil-cooled engine has since gone on to power a wide range of Royal Enfield’s premium models across two platforms. It currently underpins six motorcycles in the brand’s lineup, with a seventh - the Bullet 650 Twin - in the pipeline.
In five out of the six motorcycles it powers, this engine produces 47hp and 54Nm. However, in the Royal Enfield Bear 650, torque increases to 56.5Nm, owing to its two-into-one exhaust setup.
Suzuki
GSX-8R - Rs 9.89 lakh
The GSX-8R was added to Suzuki’s portfolio in late 2024. It is priced at Rs 9.89 lakh, reserving it a spot on our list. This 776cc, parallel-twin, liquid-cooled engine produces 82hp at 8500rpm and 78Nm at 6800rpm.
It also does duty in the V-Strom 800DE however that motorcycle costs above Rs 10 lakh, which is why it isn’t on our list. The GSX-8R is the only offering in its segment to come with a twin-cylinder engine whereas its competitors - the Triumph Daytona 660 and Honda CBR650R - are powered by multi-cylindered engines.