IMOTY 2025 Motorcycle contenders announced

The 20th edition of the ICOTY (Indian Car of the Year) jury round is underway. The nominations have been selected by 20 decorated judges representing esteemed publications which also include Kranti Sambhav, Editor at OVERDRIVE and Rohit Paradkar, Assistant Editor at OVERDRIVE. The panel consist of seasoned experts from esteemed publications who will evaluate the nominations on the basis of key factors such as performance, practicality, frugality, and safety to name a few.

The list of Motocrycle contenders includes products like the Royal Enfield Bear 650, Hero Xtreme 125R, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, BSA Gold Star 650, Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z, Bajaj Freedom 125, Hero Mavrick 440, Triumph Speed T4, Bajaj Pulsar N125 and Aprilia RS 457. Let's take a look at the vehicles and see what they have to offer, winners will be announced in January 2025.

Royal Enfield Bear 650: Rs 3.39 - Rs 3.59 lakh

While the Bear 650 is powered by the same 650cc, parallel-twin, air/oil-cooled SOHC engine as the standard Interceptor 650, it delivers 47.4PS at 7,150rpm and 56.5Nm of torque at 5,150rpm - an eight percent increase in torque compared to the original Interceptor. The engine is paired with a six-speed gearbox.

Hero Xtreme 125R: Rs 96,000 - Rs 1 lakh

Powering the Xtreme 125R is the new 125cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine producing 11.5PS and 10.6Nm of torque. This motor comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. Above all, Hero claims that the motorcycle can deliver a mileage of 66kmpl.

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450: Rs 2.39 - 2.54 lakh

The Guerrilla 450 is powered by the same 452cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC engine as the Himalayan 450 that delivers 40PS at 8,000rpm and 40Nm of torque at 5,500rpm. However, it has got a new engine mapping to provide a better low-end torque. This motor is mated to a six-speed gearbox.

BSA Goldstar 650: Rs 3 - Rs 3.35 lakh

Powering the Gold Star 650 is a 652cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC engine producing 45PS at 6,500rpm and 55Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This motor comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. As claimed, the top speed is rated at 160kmph.

Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z: Rs 1.85 lakh

The Pulsar NS400Z uses the 373.27cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled DOHC engine similar to the one found in the KTM RC 390 and Bajaj Dominar 400. In fact, it also powered the previous generation KTM 390 Duke. Notably, this engine produces 40PS at 8,800rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6,500rpm. It is mated to a six-speed gearbox.

Bajaj Freedom 125: Rs 90,000 - Rs 1.10 lakh

The headline feature of this motorcycle is the powertrain - a 125cc, single cylinder, air-cooled engine producing 9.5PS at 8,000rpm and 9.7Nm at 6,000rpm. This motor comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. Bajaj has placed the 2kg CNG tank inside the frame of the motorcycle. Not only that, it also gets a petrol tank with a capacity of 2 litres. As claimed, the combined range of the Freedom CNG is rated at 330km. The CNG bike gets a blue button on the switchgear to switch between the two fuels.

Hero Mavrick 440: Rs 1.99 - Rs 2.24 lakh

Powering the Mavrick 440 is a 440cc, single-cylinder, air/oil-cooled SOHC engine mated to a six-speed gearbox. This motor makes 27.3PS and 36Nm of torque.

Triumph Speed T4: Rs 1.99 lakh

Since the Speed T4 is an affordable or the most inexpensive Triumph offering ever, it gets a range of downgrades over the Speed 400. First up, the 398cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine, although identical on the both models, features a new airbox, a different throttle body, a new engine map, and a smaller sprocket. Triumph also claims that 85 per cent of the overall torque is available from 2,500rpm, resulting less often downshifts in the traffic. Above all, it delivers lower power output: 31PS at 7,000rpm and 36Nm of torque at 5,000rpm compared to the Speed 400. Mated to the engine is a six-speed gearbox with an O-ring chain instead of X-ring on the Speed 400.

Bajaj Pulsar N125: Rs 92,000 - Rs 96,000

Powering the Pulsar N125 is a 124.58cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine producing 12PS at 8,500rpm and 11Nm of torque at 6,000rpm. This motor is mated to a five-speed gearbox. It can achieve 0-60kmph in six seconds and provides a top speed of 97kmph. Notably, the N125 is claimed to return a mileage of 60kmpl.

Aprilia RS 457: Rs 4.10 - Rs 4.17 lakh

Powering the RS 457 is a new 457cc, parallel twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC engine that delivers 47.58PS (35kW) at 9,400rpm and 43.5Nm of torque at 6,700rpm. This motor comes mated to a six-speed gearbox.