In India, the most popular bike is the Hero Splendor range, which leads motorcycle sales by a wide margin each year.
Ask ten riders and you’ll hear the same name: Hero Splendor. It tops the charts month after month, and for good reasons—mileage, price, and a fuss-free ride. Still, “popular” can mean more than raw sales. City riders lean toward easy commuters, long-distance riders want stable highway manners, and many buyers chase low running cost above all. This guide gives you the quick answer, then lays out the facts so you can pick a bike that fits your day-to-day ride.
Which Bike Is Popular In India? Models And Sales Snapshot
The sales crown belongs to the Splendor family. SIAM and dealer data show a steady lead for this commuter line, backed by large monthly numbers and a broad owner base. September 2025 alone saw the Splendor cross the three-lakh mark, while several other months in 2025 stayed well above two lakh. That kind of volume doesn’t happen by accident.
| Model | Why It Sells | Recent Data Point |
|---|---|---|
| Hero Splendor (Plus/Xtec) | Low cost, high mileage, wide service reach | 3,62,980 units in Sept 2025 (SIAM-based reports) |
| Honda Shine 125 | Smooth engine, strong 125cc value | Regular Top-5 through 2025 |
| Hero HF Deluxe | Budget-friendly 100cc workhorse | Often in Top-5; strong rural pull |
| Bajaj Pulsar 125 | Sporty flavor with commuter costs | Frequent Top-10 in 2025 |
| TVS Apache Range | Engaging ride, feature-rich | Stable Top-10 presence |
| Royal Enfield Classic 350 | Timeless appeal, torquey single | Leader in mid-size segment |
| TVS Raider 125 | Peppy 125 with modern kit | Rising volumes in 2025 |
Those names make up most of India’s daily sightings. Scooters like the Honda Activa and TVS Jupiter also move huge numbers, but when someone asks which bike is popular in india?, they usually mean motorcycles. On that front, the Splendor sits at the top with a comfortable gap.
Why Hero Splendor Stays Number One
Mileage And Running Cost
Owners chase low fuel spend, and the Splendor delivers. Real-world figures from riders often hover in the high-50s to mid-60s km/l with calm throttle use. Simple air-cooled hardware keeps service bills light. Parts are everywhere, even in small towns, so downtime stays short and costs stay predictable.
Price And Finance Access
Up-front price lands within reach for first-time buyers. Lenders know the resale story and clear stock movement, so approvals tend to be quick and paperwork painless. Dealers carry deep inventory, which helps you get color and variant choices without a long wait.
Ride Feel And Ease
The Splendor’s chassis is tuned for daily use: neutral steering, comfy seat, and a pliant ride at city speeds. Power won’t thrill, but it’s enough for traffic gaps and flyovers. Newer variants add features like i3S start-stop and a basic dash with useful readouts.
Brand Trust
Decades on the road build habit. Families that owned a CD100 or older Splendor often pick a new Splendor for the next rider. Word of mouth does the rest.
Reading The Numbers The Right Way
Two kinds of reports shape the “popular” tag. SIAM publishes factory dispatches to dealers, and FADA tracks retail registrations. Dispatches show supply momentum from brands; retail shows what actually reached buyers. A model that leads both lists over many months earns the “most popular” label with little debate.
You can skim the latest SIAM monthly performance to see total two-wheeler flow, and the FADA vehicle retail data for what buyers actually registered.
Which Bikes Are Popular In India – City And Highway Picks
Not every rider wants the same thing. Here’s how the top names stack up by use case, with simple pointers to keep the choice clean.
Short City Runs
Hero Splendor / HF Deluxe: light weight, crisp low-end pull, tall seat for visibility. If your route is stop-and-go, these save fuel and reduce fatigue.
Honda Shine 125: smoother than most and still frugal. If you like a bit more punch for bridges or ring roads, this 125 works.
Daily Mixed Use
Bajaj Pulsar 125 / TVS Raider 125: a livelier feel without big fuel penalties. You get sharper throttle response and better mid-range for quick passes.
Weekend Rides And Highway
Royal Enfield Classic 350 / Meteor 350: relaxed torque and a planted front end. These hold speed with ease and add comfort for 80–100 km stints.
Feature Hunters
TVS Apache series: a rich feature list, snappy engines, and strong chassis parts. Good picks if you want riding modes, connected dashes, and sharp brakes in this price band.
Price, Economy And Ownership Rhythm
Entry commuters are bought for value math first. Look at down payment, EMI, mileage, and service spread in your district. Ask the dealer for the first two services cost and common spares like brake shoes and clutch plates. Check tyre size, as bigger rubber costs more to replace. Confirm insurance type; a zero-dep add-on pushes cost up but can save you during a smash or theft claim. Resale is steady for the big names listed here, which keeps total cost in check.
Fuel And Tyres
Keep tyre pressure to spec and service the chain on schedule. Actual km/l swings a lot with pressure, chain lube, and riding style. A 5-minute routine saves a pile of fuel over a year.
Service And Spares
Pick a brand with a nearby workshop and a parts counter that stays stocked. Ask owners in your lane how long they waited for basic parts. Fast parts supply beats fancy features you’ll use twice.
Trusted Sales Facts You Can Rely On
Recent roundups based on SIAM data point to the same pattern: Splendor first, Shine close behind, and HF Deluxe, Pulsar 125, and Apache trims filling the next slots. In September 2025, reports cite 3.62 lakh Splendors sold in a single month, a number that dwarfs many full brand totals. In June 2025, Splendor again led the market with over 2.6 lakh units, keeping the streak alive across seasons.
Dealer-side reports line up with that story. FADA’s festive updates call out record retail demand, with two-wheelers driving the spike. When dispatches and retail both trend up, queues form at popular models first—exactly what we see with the Splendor line.
How To Choose Your Bike From The Popular List
Step 1: Map Your Weekly Ride
Count your usual km per day and road type. Lots of speed breakers and stop-lights? Aim for a light commuter. Ring road and open stretches? A 125 with a calmer top gear feels better. Regular inter-city trips? A 350 single wins on comfort.
Step 2: Set A Clean Budget
Include helmet, riding gloves, basic jacket, and a tyre inflator. Keep a small buffer for the first service and a pair of good lock sets. Cheap locks invite grief.
Step 3: Test Ride Two Options Back-To-Back
Ride your shortlist on the same loop. Check clutch feel, brake bite, seat height at low speed turns, and mirror reach. A 10-minute ride often picks your winner for you.
Step 4: Check Dealer Experience
Good delivery prep means aligned wheels, correct pressures, and a quiet chain. Ask for a pre-delivery checklist and read it at the desk. Small steps save later workshop visits.
Popular Models At A Glance
| Use Case | Bike | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Office Commute | Hero Splendor / HF Deluxe | Lowest running cost; easy to park |
| City + Ring Road | Honda Shine 125 | Refined motor; steady mid-range |
| Fun Commute | Bajaj Pulsar 125 / TVS Raider | Quick throttle; friendly EMIs |
| Feature-Rich | TVS Apache series | Rider aids, strong brakes |
| Weekend Highway | Royal Enfield Classic 350 | Relaxed torque; stable at speed |
| Low Maintenance | Hero Splendor | Huge parts network; simple tech |
| Heavy Riders | Royal Enfield Meteor 350 | Roomy ergos; planted front |
Where Scooters Fit In The Picture
Many shoppers type “bike” when they mean any two-wheeler. Scooters command a large slice of city sales thanks to floorboards, controls, and storage. The Honda Activa and TVS Jupiter are common sights. If your rides are short hops with frequent stops and you carry a bag or groceries, a scooter may suit you better than a motorcycle. If you often cruise at 60–70 km/h or tackle broken patches, a light motorcycle feels steadier and returns strong km/l. Pick based on your route first, not trends.
Engine Size Bands That Work For India
Most mass-market winners sit in the 100–125cc bracket where price, mileage, and simple upkeep meet. Step to 150–200cc if you want quicker passes and firmer brakes for ring roads; factor in a small hit on fuel and insurance. At 300–350cc, you gain low-rev cruising and sturdier frames that settle highway ripples. Service costs rise, but riders who tour two or three weekends each month find the comfort worth it. No class is “better” in a vacuum; match engine size to your daily loop and wallet.
Final Word: What “Popular” Should Mean For You
If you came for a single answer to which bike is popular in india?, you have it—the Hero Splendor wins. If you want a commuter with a touch more shove, look at the Shine or Raider. If you want highway calm and metal heft, a Classic 350 or Meteor 350 fits. Start with your route and budget, test two picks, and choose the bike you’ll ride every day with a grin.
Pick service and spares wisely.