Bike spotlights
Five bikes a week, each the best at one thing.
Each week we pick five bikes that win different categories on our own data: price, mileage, resale, fun, highway and more. Why each one wins, who it suits, and what it costs you elsewhere.
Week 3
Cheap to maintain
Bajaj Platina 100: cheap to keep running
Every mechanic knows it and every shop has its parts. A service every 2,500 km costs about ৳800, and it does 60-70 km/l, for ৳1,46,114 on the road.
First bike
TVS Radeon: an easy, comfortable first bike
A 780 mm seat, linked brakes and a soft ride make it easy to learn on. Beginner-friendly 10/10, for ৳1,32,763 on the road.
Pillion and family
Hero Glamour X 125: the commuter that carries two
Pillion 8/10 and comfort 8/10, with 11.5 PS to keep up with traffic when two are on board, for ৳1,78,764 on the road.
Safety: braking
Bajaj Pulsar N250: dual-channel ABS for the money
Disc brakes at both ends with dual-channel ABS, 24.5 PS and a pillion score of 8/10, for ৳3,71,764 on the road.
Highway cruising
Honda NX200: an upright tourer for the highway
Highway 8/10 and comfort 8/10, dual-channel ABS and an upright seat, for ৳3,26,764 on the road.
Week 2
Value for money
Hero Splendor+: the most bike per taka
Top reliability, top resale and some of the lowest running costs on our list, for ৳1,27,664 on the road. Slow and basic, and that is the deal.
Dhaka traffic
Honda Shine 100: the easiest bike to thread through Dhaka traffic
99 kg, city handling 9/10 and fuel injection, for ৳1,21,664 on the road. Made for jams, not highways.
Reliability
Honda Dream 110: the bike that just keeps going
Reliability 9/10 with mechanic familiarity 10/10, for ৳1,36,764 on the road. Plain to look at, easy to keep alive anywhere.
Broken roads
TVS Raider 125: a light 125 for broken roads and city jams
180 mm of ground clearance, an adjustable monoshock and 123 kg, for ৳1,81,664 on the road. The firm ride is the price.
Looks and style
Yamaha R15 V4: the sport bike everyone turns to look at
The top looks score on our list (shared with the GSX-R150), resale 9/10 and dual-channel ABS, for ৳6,16,764 on the road.
Week 1
Budget: cheapest new bike
Lifan Glint 100: the cheapest new bike in Bangladesh
At ৳96,664 on the road it is the lowest price for a brand-new motorcycle on our list. Here is what that money buys, and what it does not.
Mileage and low running cost
Hero HF Deluxe: the most km per litre for the least money
60-70 km/l in real riding, the joint best of any petrol bike we list, and joint cheapest of all to keep running.
Resale value
Yamaha FZS FI V4: the 150cc that holds its value best
Resale 9/10, the joint top score on our list, on a reliable, easy 150cc. You pay more up front and get more back when you sell.
Most fun to ride
Suzuki GSX-R150: the most fun you can have on a 150
19.2 PS in a 134 kg bike with dual-channel ABS. It tops our fun, looks and braking lists, and asks a lot in return.
Highway cruising
Royal Enfield Meteor 350: the best highway bike you can buy new
Highway 9/10 and comfort 9/10, the top pair on our list, and the best for a pillion too. Clumsy in Dhaka traffic.