Six commuter bikes from Rs 58,850, with mileage of up to 70 kmpl

Anyone planning to buy a new motorcycle for the daily office commute or small errands will find no shortage of options in the Indian market. Traffic congestion is growing in cities and petrol prices change every day. For this reason, the ordinary buyer first looks for good mileage, low maintenance costs and a strong, long-lasting engine.

The 100cc to 110cc commuter segment has several bikes that are easy on the pocket and run comfortably even on poor, bumpy roads. Whether it is the trusted Hero Splendor, Honda's smooth Shine 100 or the Bajaj Platina, which offers good comfort on long rides, all of them make the daily commute affordable. Here are six popular commuter bikes from which buyers can choose according to their needs and budget.

The first is the TVS Radeon. Its price starts at Rs 58,850 (ex-showroom) and its mileage is stated as 60 to 65 km per litre. With a retro-classic look, the bike has chrome bezels, metal body parts and a muscular fuel tank with thigh pads. It has a 109.7 cc Duralife engine that produces 8.19 PS of power and 8.7 Nm of torque. Features include a USB charger, a digital cluster (in the top variant) and a pillion grab rail. For safety, it offers Synchronised Braking Technology (SBT) and an optional front disc brake.

Second is the TVS Sport, priced from Rs 59,100 (ex-showroom), with mileage of up to 70 km per litre. Described as a sporty commuter, its sharp graphics and aggressive headlamp cowl appeal to young riders. It has a 109.7 cc ET-Fi engine that delivers 8.19 PS of power and 8.7 Nm of torque. It gets EcoThrust fuel injection, an econometer (mileage indicator) in the analogue cluster and 5-step adjustable suspension. Braking is by a Synchronised Braking Technology (SBT) system.

Third is the Hero HF Deluxe. Considered the first choice of buyers on a tight budget, the bike is light, compact and aerodynamic in design. Its price starts at Rs 59,477 (ex-showroom) and mileage is 65 to 70 per litre. It has a 97.2 cc engine that generates 8.02 PS of power and 8.05 Nm of torque. It gets i3S technology, alloy wheels and a basic analogue speedometer. For safety, it has a side-stand indicator and combi drum brakes (IBS) on both wheels.

Fourth is the Honda Shine 100. This affordable Honda is based on the larger Shine 125 and comes in a modern, sleek design. Its price starts at Rs 65,642 (ex-showroom) and mileage is up to 65 per litre. It has a 98.98 cc eSP fuel-injected engine that gives 7.38 PS of power and 8.05 Nm of torque. Features include a basic twin-pod analogue console, a long, comfortable seat and electric start. For safety, it has a Combined Braking System (CBS) and a side-stand engine cut-off switch.

Fifth is the Bajaj Platina 100, known for excellent riding comfort. Its design is simple but practical, and it has a signature LED DRL on the front cowl. Its price starts at Rs 70,511 (ex-showroom) and mileage is 70 to 75 per litre. It has a 102 cc DTS-i engine that generates 7.79 bhp of power and 8.34 Nm of torque. Highlights include the 'Comfortec' long seat and spring-in-spring (SNS) suspension for poor roads. For safety, an anti-skid braking system (ASB/CBS) is available.

Last is the Hero Splendor Plus, described as the country's most popular and best-selling bike. It is known for its simplicity and sturdy box design. Its price starts at Rs 78,912 (ex-showroom) and mileage is 65 to 70 per litre. It has a 97.2 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke engine that generates 8.02 PS of power and 8.05 Nm of torque. Features include an i3S (idle start-stop) system, an analogue twin-pod cluster and a USB charger. For safety, it has an Integrated Braking System (IBS) with drum brakes on both wheels.