5 Most Affordable Twin-Cylinder Bikes: RE 650 Twins, Aprilia RS 457...

Twin-cylinder motorcycles offer a great balance of power, performance, and are the stepping stones into the world of multi-cylinder motorcycling. Here's a look at five of the most affordable twin-cylinder bikes on the market, keeping in mind the Indian market:

Royal Enfield 650 Twins (Interceptor 650 & Continental GT 650)

Taking the crown for the most affordable twin-cylinder motorcycles in India, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and Continental GT 650 have a starting price range of ₹3,02,418 - ₹3,39,000 (ex-showroom, Chennai). The two bikes offer distinct design philosophies. The Interceptor 650 with its roadster design features a more relaxed riding position, ideal for everyday riding and longer journeys. The Continental GT 650, on the other hand, adopts a cafe racer-inspired style with a sporty riding posture, catering to riders who prefer a more aggressive stance. 

Both motorcycles are powered by the same 648cc, parallel twin-cylinder engine with air/oil cooling. This engine delivers a capable 46.8 bhp at 7150 rpm and 52 Nm, providing a good balance of power for navigating city streets and highways. 

Kawasaki Ninja 300

The now-decade old Kawasaki Ninja 300 stands out for its longevity in a segment where many competitors have fallen prey to stricter emission norms. It remains a popular choice for beginners and experienced riders alike due to its nimble handling and sporty performance. It's powered by a 298cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces 39 bhp and 27 Nm. While it continues to deliver on the accessible twin-cylinder experience, it has aged quite a bit. The design is no longer up to the times, the feature set felt lacking in 2015 itself and it caters to a very select buyer that might not even exist that much anymore. Kawasaki did introduce new colour options for the 2024 model year, including Candy Lime Green and Metallic Moondust Gray, alongside the existing Lime Green option. Sadly, the only good thing going for it is its asking price as the Kawasaki Ninja 300 carries a sticker price of ₹3,43,000, making it a relatively affordable option in the 300cc twin-cylinder category.

QJ Motor SRK 400

Chinese brand QJ Motor throws down the gauntlet with the SRK 400, a streetfighter with aggressive looks and a competitive price tag of ₹3,69,000.  The SRK 400 strikes a balance between sporty and comfortable with a low seat, narrow handlebars, and slightly forward-set footpegs, creating a relaxed yet engaging riding posture.The SRK 400 leans into a look reminiscent of the Benelli TNT 300, borrowing design cues like the exposed trellis frame and offset monoshock from its Italian counterpart. This 400cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine pumps out a healthy 43 bhp at 9,000 rpm and 27 Nm. The twin-cylinder engine produces a delightful sound, adding to the sporty experience. While the SRK 400 has a decent engine the feature set is just minimal. The basic negative LCD dashboard with minimal data feels like a missed opportunity in this price range.

Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650

The Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 is a cruiser motorcycle that builds upon the success of the 650 Twins platform. It offers a more feet forward riding position. It also has some hardware changes like USD fork instead of the conventional ones, larger braking units, alloy wheels as standard and a different instrument cluster. With a starting price of ₹3,63,900, it remains an affordable cruiser option in the twin-cylinder segment. While it shares the same 648cc, parallel-twin engine with its 650 siblings, the Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650 gets a slightly different tune, resulting in a power output of 47 bhp at 7250 rpm and 52.3 Nm at 5650 rpm. This slight difference in power delivery caters to the cruiser riding style, prioritising low-end torque for relaxed cruising.

Aprilia RS 457

The latest entrant on this list is the Aprilia RS 457. It breaks the mould by offering a thrilling seeking sportbike experience without really being too aggressive for city use.  Powered by a 457cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine, it packs a punch with 48.6 bhp and 48 Nm, ideal for carving up corners and pushing lap times. With its lightweight aerodynamic design, agile handling, and brilliant electronics, the Aprilia RS 457 has the potential to be a phenomenal track bike. While it carries the highest price tag of ₹4,10,000 on this list, the Aprilia RS457 delivers exceptional value for performance-oriented riders seeking a twin-cylinder machine.