Most powerful bikes under Rs 5 lakh

We recently brought you a list of the most powerful bikes under Rs 2.5 lakh, but this list doubles that budget. All entrants on this list make over 40hp, with the most powerful machine here making a claimed 55hp of peak power. 

5. Yamaha MT-03, R3

42hp

In this company, Yamaha’s likable 321cc twin-cylinder duo have the misfortune of being the least powerful machines. What the R3 and MT-03 have, though, are a screamer parallel-twin motor, and recent price revisions have made the duo more accessible. At the start of the year, the Yamaha MT-03 and R3 received a substantial price cut of up to Rs 1.10 lakh, followed by a further cut of up to Rs 20,000 with the new GST rates. The MT-03 now costs Rs 3.30 lakh and the fully faired R3 commands Rs 3.39 lakh (both prices ex-showroom, India).

4. KTM 390 Duke

46hp

The Gen 3 KTM 390 Duke was the first of the smaller KTMs to feature the LC4c 399cc engine. While it brought several updates, its wild and energetic character remained unchanged. Another big advantage is its pricing – at Rs 2.97 lakh, the KTM 390 Duke remains the most affordable model on this list, and is arguably the one that offers the best bang for your buck. 

With a higher compression ratio, the KTM manages to offer similar performance as many parallel twins on this list. This new engine is also featured in the KTM 390 Adventure and the 390 Adventure X. 

3. Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

47.5hp

The Royal Enfield’s 650 engine is rated for 47.5hp. This engine does duty in a slew of models such as the Super Meteor 650, Bear 650, Classic 650, and the recently revealed Bullet 650. It produces similar peak output figures in all the motorcycles and for the sake of simplicity, we have considered the Interceptor 650, which, until the Bullet 650 is launched, is the most affordable model to feature this engine.

This simpler engine technology helped Royal Enfield offer the 650 duos at a tempting price when it was first launched. The prices have increased ever since, and the 650 range starts with the Interceptor 650, priced between Rs 3.32 lakh and Rs 3.63 lakh (ex-showroom, Chennai). It still remains quite accessible considering the performance it offers.

2. Aprilia Tuono 457, RS 457

47.6hp

Aprilia duos hold second place in this list as they produce 0.1hp more than the Royal Enfield 650. Both feature a parallel-twin, liquid cooled, 457cc engine that is rated to produce 47.6hp and 43.5Nm and is paired to a 6-speed gearbox along with a slip-and-assist clutch. It is also the only one in this segment to have a 270-degree firing order (in India, at least).

Other noteworthy features the RS 457 has are an aluminium twin spar frame and styling that bears an uncanny resemblance to the bigger Aprilia RS models.

1. Moto Morini Seiemmezzo 650 Scrambler, Retro Street

55hp

The Seiemmezzo 650 twins comprising the Scrambler and Retro Street top the chart, producing the most power and torque. The 649cc, parallel-twin motor produces peak power of 55hp and 54Nm. Both bikes are identical in terms of engine and underpinnings but differ in terms of styling. The Seiemmezzo 650 Scrambler is priced at Rs 4.79 lakh, while the Seiemmezzo 650 Retro Street is priced at Rs 4.82 lakh (ex-showroom, India).