Petrol prices have reached an all-time high and so here is a list of bikes that burn as little of it as possible. For the sake of this list, we will consider only the ARAI tested efficiency figures that are claimed by the manufacturers. So, while these numbers might not exactly match real world fuel efficiencies, they’re a good indication of which bikes are at the top of the game in getting the most kilometres to each litre of petrol.
1. Hero Splendor i3s
Claimed mileage: 102.5kpl
Engine: 97.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Starting price: Rs 51,911 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
With an almost unbelievably high fuel efficiency that goes into triple digits, was there any doubt that this bike was going to be at the top of our list? Hero MotoCorp basically took its bestselling product of all time, the Splendor, and put what it calls ‘i3s technology’, or idle Start Stop System. What this system does is switch off the engine every time you pull the bike to a halt and idle for more than a few seconds, and automatically restart it when you pull in the clutch once again. Switching off the motor during idle situations makes an already very efficient motor even more so.
2. Bajaj CT100
Claimed mileage: 99.1kpl
Engine: 99.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Starting price: Rs 31,802 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
The original CT 100 was one of the more successful bikes in its segment and Bajaj brought the name back a few years ago to signify its resolve in taking on the competition in a class that is undoubtedly the largest chunk of the Indian two-wheeler space. It’s billed as the slightly less premium sibling to the Platina, but gets almost similar features such as the SNS rear suspension. However, the motor doesn’t get DTS-i technology and makes slightly lesser torque as compared to the Platina. The company also launched a variant called the CT 100 B that features a round headlight instead of a headlight cowl, which is over Rs 1,000 cheaper.
3. Bajaj Platina 100ES
Claimed mileage: 96.9kpl
Engine: 102cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Starting price: Rs 47,155 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
The Platina has always been one of Bajaj’s bestselling and highly efficient motorcycles. In its 2015 avatar, the Platina sports new styling along with an electric start as standard. The air-cooled motor features the company’s proprietary DTS-i twin-spark for improved combustion efficiency leading to the high mileage figure that the company claims. Now marketed with what the company calls “ComforTec”, the Platina features the company’s dual-spring SNS (spring-in-spring) rear suspension with a claimed 22 percent longer travel than its competition as well as claimed 28 percent longer front suspension (again, compared to its competition). This is supposed to make it one of the most comfortable bikes available, and just to drive that point home, it also gets what Bajaj claims to be the longest seat (21.9 inches) in the segment made from a unique foam structure for added softness. At 190mm, even the ground clearance is said to be the highest in class. So, tackling the worst of Indian roads shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
4. TVS Sport
Claimed mileage: 95kpl
Engine: 99.77cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Starting price: Rs 39,963 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
The TVS Sport has been around for quite some time, but a few years ago, the Chennai-based company launched an updated version of this entry-level commuter motorcycle, which boasts an even higher fuel efficiency. Besides a bump in the mileage, TVS has equipped the motorcycle with a few more features. It now gets electric start as standard, aluminium grab rails, a chrome muffler guard and a new instrument cluster. The Sport is powered by TVS’ DuraLife Engine that reduces the friction in engine components and provides improved fuel efficiency. The company claims that this makes the bike “the most appealing economy motorcycle”. It’s also the only motorcycle in the 100cc class that features large 130mm drum brakes that facilitate better braking.
5. Hero Splendor range
Claimed mileage: 93.2kpl
Engine: 97.2cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled
Starting Price: Rs 48,520 (ex-showroom, Delhi)
When you think of fuel efficiency, no doubt the first name that comes to mind for most people is the Hero Splendor. This is pretty much the company’s bread and butter motorcycle, and has been on the top of sales charts for the better part of the last two decades. The 97.2cc sloper motor has remained fundamentally unchanged, but recently, with the introduction of the 'Pro' model, various internal bits were refined to provide improved power and torque figures – which currently sit at 8.36hp and 8.05Nm, respectively. The bike is also available in the Splendor+ i3s avatar, which tops this list.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
