Think of a single-cylinder motorcycle and the first things that will come to mind is a simple, hardy and barebones commuter or a relaxed, old-school retro. However, that stereotype is all but true for these motorcycles we have listed out today. Here are five of the most powerful single-cylinder machines on sale in India.
5 Triumph Thruxton 400 - 42hp
Rs 2.76 lakh
Even the least powerful motorcycle on this list makes a fairly healthy 42hp and the Thruxton 400 is the only single-cylinder Triumph bike in India to benefit from the sprightlier engine tune.
4 Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z - 43hp
Rs 1.94 lakh
A little over a year after it was launched, Bajaj updated the Pulsar NS400Z with better brakes and tyres - something it deserved with the performance on tap - while also sprinkling in a little more power. Now rated at 43hp, the Pulsar NS400Z not only gives you more power but the new ‘Sport’ riding mode also has more aggressive mapping for a livelier riding experience.
3 BSA Gold Star 650 - 45hp
Rs 3.10 lakh - Rs 3.45 lakh
Among all the high strung single-cylinder engines on this list, the Gold Star’s Rotax-sourced 652cc thumper is an outlier and prioritizes mid-range shove over outright grunt. The result is a modern torque-rich riding experience like big British singles of yesteryear without any of the ‘period-correct’ mechanical flaws.
2 KTM 390 Duke - 46hp
Rs 2.99 lakh
The Indian performance bike scene changed forever in 2013 with the arrival of the KTM 390 Duke which brought explosive performance along with a digestible price tag. All these years later, the 390 Duke retains its penchant for hooliganism while packing in more power than ever and if you’re looking to go fast on a tight budget, it still remains a fantastic option.
If you have more adventurous aspirations or want something a little more classy and understated, the 390 Adventure models and Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 - which share the 46hp 399cc LC4C engine with the Duke - are the way to go, respectively.
1 Ducati Hypermotard 698 Mono - 77.5hp
Rs 17.63 lakh - Rs 18.70 lakh
The final motorcycle on this list is one that you’ll definitely need a big budget for but with a big 659cc, 1299 Panigale-derived, single-cylinder engine, the Hypermotard Mono has a riding experience unlike anything else in India. Its angry, powerful engine is nestled inside a chassis that can shrug our broken roads off with ease making it for a potent street bike - provided you can afford one. Fun fact, even the V-Twin engined Hypermotard 950 RVE - a much faster bike and also an expensive purchase in its own right - is also more affordable compared to the Mono!
Ved Janve
Vishal Venugopal
Azaman Chothia
