5 most affordable track bikes for beginners

Track riding is a lot like golf — aspirational, skill-intensive and not the most accessible sport in India, largely due to the limited number of proper circuits. It’s also an expensive pursuit, with track days, travel and gear quickly adding up.

However, the motorcycle itself doesn’t have to be the biggest barrier to entry. In recent years, manufacturers have introduced a range of affordable, well-engineered machines that offer sharp handling, strong performance and the kind of dynamics needed to learn the basics of circuit riding.

For riders looking to move beyond city streets and onto the racetrack, here are the five most affordable beginner-friendly track bikes currently on sale.

1. Yamaha R15

The R15 is priced from Rs 1.66 lakh

The R15 is widely credited with kickstarting India’s beginner-friendly track bike segment. It was among the first affordable motorcycles to combine a proper perimeter frame – or Deltabox, in Yamaha’s terminology – with a lively 155cc liquid-cooled engine that delivered accessible performance without overwhelming new riders. Committed ergonomics, sharp handling and a well-sorted chassis further gave it genuine track capability straight out of the box.

Today, the line-up spans multiple variants with features such as a quickshifter available on higher trims. Prices range from Rs 1.66 lakh to Rs 1.92 lakh.

2. Suzuki Gixxer SF 250

The SF 250 is priced at Rs 1.90 lakh

Launched in 2019, the Gixxer SF 250 is powered by a 249cc single-cylinder oil-cooled engine that produces 26.5hp at 9,300rpm and 22.2Nm at 7,300rpm, with the motor running into the rev limiter at 10,000rpm. The bike features a sporty chassis setup with a relatively firm suspension tune that prioritises stability and cornering precision, lending it a planted and predictable feel during aggressive riding and track use.

3. KTM 250 Duke

 The quarter-litre Duke is offered in a single variant, priced at Rs 2.12 lakh

The KTM 250 Duke gets a larger engine than the RC 200 and stands out in the Duke line-up for its versatility, balancing everyday usability with performance that’s engaging enough for spirited riding and occasional track use. It retains the brand’s signature steel trellis frame shared with other Duke models and is powered by a 249cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 31hp and 25Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. This quarter-litre Duke is offered in a single variant, priced at Rs 2.12 lakh.

4. KTM RC 200

The RC 200 is priced at Rs 2.16 lakh

The RC 200 is the faired, track-focused counterpart to the KTM 200 Duke. It uses the same 199cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine as the naked model, offering approachable performance for newer riders while still retaining strong top-end drive, with peak output rated at 25hp at 10,000rpm. A steel trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe forms the foundation, lending it the sharp handling expected of a small-capacity sportbike. The RC 200 is offered in a single variant, priced at Rs 2.16 lakh.

5. TVS Apache RR 310

The Apache RR 310 is priced from Rs 2.58 lakh

It has been nearly a decade since TVS introduced the Apache RR 310, the first motorcycle to come out of its partnership with BMW Motorrad. Among the bikes listed here, it is also the most powerful, with its larger-displacement engine offering added performance headroom for beginners to gradually build pace and skill.

The RR 310 is built around a split trellis frame with a bolt-on subframe and adopts committed, track-focused ergonomics. It is powered by a 312cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that produces 34hp and 27.3Nm, paired with a six-speed gearbox. TVS’s BTO (Built-To-Order) programme further allows buyers to equip the bike with track-oriented upgrades such as adjustable suspension, a quickshifter and a brass-coated chain, among other additions. The RR 310 is priced from Rs 2.58 lakh to Rs 2.73 lakh.

Honourable mentions:

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z

The NS400Z is currently the most affordable 400cc motorcycle on sale in India. Bajaj Auto updated the bike last year, addressing several shortcomings of the earlier version with revised engine mapping, a bump in output, a software-based bi-directional quickshifter, sintered brake pads and stickier tyres.

Powered by a 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine producing 40hp, it is notably more potent than the rest of the bikes on this list. As a result, it isn’t the most conventional beginner’s track machine and earns only an honourable mention here. That said, a controlled track environment can help riders safely tap into the added performance, which also provides greater headroom as their pace improves.

Priced at Rs 1.94 lakh, the NS400Z undercuts several smaller-capacity motorcycles, including some 200cc offerings, though it lacks the outright, razor-sharp focus of a dedicated faired sportbike.