2017 Midterm Report: Top 7 most affordable motorcycles with ABS

It’s been a while since we listed the most affordable motorcycle available to consumers with that all-important safety feature, ABS. This midterm report lists the most affordable motorcycles with ABS so far, in 2017.

TVS Apache RTR 180 ABS

TVS remains the only manufacturer to provide the most affordable motorcycle with ABS, with the Apache RTR 180. Remember, the RTR 180 is also the first Indian motorcycle to get ABS, and it comes with the added benefit of a rear wheel lift prevention system as well, unlike many other motorcycles on this list. Priced at Rs 90,000, ex-showroom, Delhi, it is priced significantly lower than the next motorcycle on this list.

Suzuki Gixxer SF

Both the carburetted SF and its fuel-injected sibling, the SF FI, get the option of ABS now. It is a single-channel system that prevents only the front wheel from locking. We expect this tech from Suzuki to get a little more affordable when it debuts its naked version, the Gixxer. At this moment, however, you can have your Gixxer SF ABS either with carburettion at Rs 95,000 or with fuel injection at Rs 99,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi).

Bajaj Pulsar RS200

Just like the Suzuki siblings, the Pulsar RS200 offers single-channel ABS as an option. While we wish Bajaj went all the way and gave it ABS on the rear wheel as well, something is better than nothing, and if that something helps make the product more affordable, so much the better. You can have an ABS-equipped RS200 for Rs 1.34 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, a premium of nearly Rs 12,000 over the standard motorcycle.

Bajaj Dominar 400

The only Bajaj product to offer dual-channel ABS, the Dominar 400’s high displacement and corresponding performance necessitates the second channel of ABS. It isn’t a system that can be switched off, but since it is a mix of streetbike and cruiser, it isn’t expected to do much duty on dirt tracks or worse. You can have yourself a Dominar for Rs 1.42 lakhs, but specify ABS and you’ll have to shell out Rs 14,000 more (ex-showroom, Delhi).

KTM 390 Duke/RC390

These KTM twins are a generation apart at the moment, but that gap will be reduced soon enough. The RC390 has a switchable ABS system – meaning you can turn it off if you want to. The 390 Duke is a generation newer, so it gets a third ‘Enduro’ setting where it switches off the ABS for the rear wheel only. This setting will help in riding on dirt. The 390 Duke and RC390 are one of the few models that aren’t available without ABS at all. You can have an RC390 for Rs 2.34 lakhs and a 390 Duke for Rs 2.3 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi.

Benelli TNT 300/ 302R 

The 300cc siblings from Benelli are similar in concept to the KTM twins we’ve written about above – they’re essentially the same platform with different applications as well. The 302R is already offered with ABS, whereas the TNT300 will soon have that option. For the moment, you can have yourself a Benelli 302R with ABS for Rs 3.48 lakhs, ex-showroom, Delhi. 

Harley-Davidson Street 750

The Street 750 has always been the most affordable big bike with the option of ABS, and it retains that crown even now. It doesn’t have a braking system with lots of feel and feedback, but the ABS that was introduced to it in 2016 gives the rider a lot of confidence. H-D’s highest-selling model can be yours for Rs 5.42 lakhs, ex-showroom Delhi, a premium of Rs 28,000 over the non-ABS version.