Best of 2018: OVERDRIVE's most read two-wheeler reviews this year
2019 is right here, staring in our faces. So with 2018 drawing to a close, we thought it would be a good idea to look back at the year â€" with over two dozen two-wheelers launched, we were reviewing scooters and motorcycles perennially. Not that we are complaining! That's one of the most interesting things we do at OVERDRIVE, no? Of course, we've had some really interesting motorcycles get launched this year, as we found out while curating our list of the top ten launches. With scooters and motorcycles launched across spectrums, segments and price brackets, 2018 was one of the most interesting years in recent times for the Indian two-wheeler industry. As of us, there were lots of thrilling moments aboard motorcycles as we brought you some of the most exhaustive and exciting reviews. So here's a list of the ten most read reviews on OVERDRIVE from 2018.
The Bajaj Avengers have been ruling the entry-level cruiser space for a while with little or no competition, except for the Royal Enfields, which in a way aren't suited to everyone's taste buds despite their immense popularity. So when the Suzuki Intruder 150 was launched, we just had to compare it to the new Bajaj Avenger 180 and it's this comparison test that has turned out to be the most read review on OVERDRIVE this year!
2.     Royal Enfield Thunderbird 500X first ride review
The Thunderbird 350X and 500X may not be all-new but generated a lot of interest given their positioning as more urban-centric takes on Thunderbird, a motorcycle that has always been pegged as a cruiser. Unsurprisingly, our first ride review of the Thunderbird 500X was our second most read review this year.
3.     Royal Enfield Himalayan FI road test review
The Himalayan was received well when it came out originally in 2016, being Royal Enfield's first ever adventure tourer and also a motorcycle that brought adventure touring to the masses to say so. And when its updated version came out, review it we had to, just for you dear reader.
4.      Honda Grazia vs Suzuki Access 125 vs TVS Ntorq 125 comparison test
2018 saw scooters regain popularity as a subject of immense interest. In fact the year saw manufacturers start moving to slightly sportier, more powerful two-wheeler contraptions to meet the demands of younger buyers and not just those looking for a large and comfortable family scoot. Our comparison test saw two such youthful offerings, the Honda Grazia and TVS Ntorq 125 take on the king of the 125cc scooter hill, the Suzuki Access 125.
5.     TVS Ntorq 125 first ride review
We just mentioned the metamorphosis of the scooter industry in 2018 and the TVS Ntorq 125 was pretty much at the helm of it, positioned as a sporty, youthful and powerful 125cc scooter. And less than a year into its launch, the Ntorq is winning accolades already. No surprises then that our first ride review of the scooter features on this list.
6.     Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 first ride review
The Indian Motorcycle of the Year 2019 â€" that's what the Interceptor 650 is already! Need we say more? It's been the most anticipated motorcycle of 2018 â€" twin-cylinder engine, distinctive styling and startlingly good build quality that's comparable to (perhaps even better than!) a lot of middleweight motorcycles sold internationally. Our first ride review, straight from California, USA, just had to make to this list then.
7.     Hero Xtreme 200R first ride review
The Xtreme 200R broke cover right at the start of 2018 and is an important motorcycle for a lot of reasons. It is Hero's first all-new premium/performance product in a while and rubs shoulders with some well-established names like the Bajaj Pulsar NS200, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V as also the Yamaha FZ25. Reason enough for our first ride review of the bike to feature here.
8.     Ather 450 first ride review
Electric scooters aren't the most exciting form of the two-wheeler, in the Indian context at least. But the Ather 450 promises to create a ripple like never before with its performance, handling, equipment levels and yeah, well, the premium pricing too. It thus is an electric scooter unlike any other in the Indian market, not just as a product, but as a package as well, when you consider Ather's subscription plans and the like. Naturally, our first ride review of the Ather 450 made it to this list, thanks to all the hype surrounding it.
9.     Bajaj Pulsar NS160 road test review
A Bajaj Pulsar entering the upper echelon of the entry-level performance motorcycle category was sure to generate some serious interest. Especially with 'NS' in its name, given the popularity and success of the Pulsar NS200. The Pulsar NS160 looks identical to the NS200 and turned out to be quite impressive to ride too!
10. Bajaj Avenger 180 first ride review
Now, our Avenger 180 comparison test topped this list and as I mentioned, the Avenger series needs no introduction as the most popular one for those wanting a lightweight cruiser. So, our first ride review of the Avenger 180 powered by the tried and tested powertrain from the Bajaj Pulsar 180 making it to the top ten list of OVERDRIVE's most read reviews from 2018 was a given, no?