Pre-owned and pre-loved big motorcycles are available aplenty, especially in recent times. With a little effort, you can snag a good deal that will save you the big bucks while fulfilling your dream of owning a superbike. Whether moving from a small bike to a big one or looking for your first big motorcycle, a budget of Rs. 5 lakh is a good place to start. It's just enough money to get you a good middleweight motorcycle that's fairly modern and reliable. At the same time, the bump in power is easier to handle rather than being intimidated by it. You will also save enough to spend on riding gear and accessories. Here are our top five middleweight motorcycles that we think you should buy as your first big bike.
1. Kawasaki Ninja 650
Easily one of the most recognisable and easily available middleweight motorcycles in the country, the Kawasaki Ninja 650 is a good buy for those looking for the big bike experience. The twin-cylinder motor is a gem while the bike remains one of the most versatile in the segment. A used Ninja 650 from 2017 will fit under Rs. 5 lakh but do expect to see a fair bit of kilometres on the odometer. A well-maintained example should not be of any issue. That said, do remember, Kawasaki spares are fairly expensive so do be prepared for that as you bring one home. If you aren't bent on having a fairing, you can also look at the Z650 or the very capable Versys 650 with the same chassis and engine. The latter though will spill over the Rs. 5 lakh mark but is a formidable tourer.
2. Harley-Davidson Iron 883
Always imagined yourself as part of H.O.G., then this might be your chance to become one. Old Harley-Davidsons are fairly cheap in the used space and finding a five-year-old Iron 883 should be easy. Prices are around the Rs. 5 lakh figure and most examples do not have too many kilometres on the odometer. Do check if the vehicle was regularly serviced and parts replaced on schedule, especially on the low mileage ones. Alternatively, you can even look at Street 750 from 2018 which will be priced under Rs. 5 lakh.
3. Triumph Street Twin
If modern-retro is your vibe, the Triumph Street Twin remains one of the more reliable options here. The 900 cc twin motor is all about an old-school feel while features like ABS and traction control make the Street Twin a lucrative purchase. Examples from 2016 hover around Rs. 5 lakhs with about 30,000 km on the odometer. Moreover, these bikes are fairly inexpensive to maintain, which makes them a great buy as your first big bike.
4. Benelli TNT 600i
The Benelli TNT 600i may be discontinued as against the other examples here but it will be lucrative for those looking to get a four-cylinder offering as their first big motorcycle. The TNT 600i is amply available in the used space and finding one between Rs. 4-5 lakh should be easy. While a number of these bikes are low on mileage, make sure to get the model thoroughly inspected. Alternatively, you can look at the TNT 600 GT which uses the same underpinnings but is a tourer. You can also spend a little extra and opt for the Kawasaki Z800 instead, which remains a lucrative buy for anyone looking at a four-cylinder motorcycle.
5. Ducati Scrambler Icon
The Ducati Scrambler Icon is the Italian bike maker's most accessible model and it's quite readily available too in the used space. There are quite a few Scramblers available with prices hovering between Rs. 4-5 lakhs for 2015-16 models. Expect to see about 25,000-35,000 on the odometer. Early examples of the Scrambler had issues with its clutch assembly that was replaced by the manufacturer. You should check with the owners about the same and if they made the change during their ownership period. While the 803 cc twin-cylinder motor is fairly reliable, but it can be expensive to maintain. Valve clearances take place every 12,000 km while cam belts need to be replaced at the 25,000 km mark. Depending on the kind of kilometres you plan to do, the service figures will vary.
