Just a few days back, I was having a discussion with my colleague about the best looking bikes currently being sold in the country, and strangely the first thing that came to our minds were the Superbikes available and we both agreed that all the CBU’s and the CKD’s available are definitely lookers, so it made me think about good looking Indian bikes the bikes that the majority of the people own and ride.
So, I sat down to list down my top 5 good looking bikes, before someone starts bashing this list, I want to tell you beforehand that this list is purely my opinion, and the bikes are listed down in the order it came to my mind. I also want you to leave your comments on the top 5 of your choice. So here goes mine:
1. Yamaha YZF R15:
Let’s face it there’s something about fully faired bikes and R15 being the first bike in the country to have a full fairing definitely turns heads wherever it goes. The bike is a mini version of the big and powerful YZF R1, the twin headlights, the R1 inspired instrument cluster, and the fairing mounted mirrors, aluminium foot pegs all add to the character of the bike.
The rear of the bike is quite bland it’s pretty lack lustre in my opinion, but it still gives a different look to the bike in midst of all LED tail lamps. My only complaint is with the tires, though they are the best in the business, but it still does not go well with the look of the bike.
2. Yamaha FZ Series:
Another Yamaha on the list, the FZ-16 is the toned down version of the naked monster FZ-1, the beefy front forks (41mm), the exposed engine, the big tank, the fatter rear tire (biggest on any Indian bike till date), the midship muffler, they all add a lot of don’t mess with me attitude in the bike.
The bike looks good from all the angles, and demands a second look if it happens to pass by you. The digital console is definitely a spoil sport because of the small size as well as readability being an issue during day time.
3. Hero Honda Karizma R:
It was the year 2002, when Hero Honda launched the Karizma, it was India’s first bike to sport a half fairing, digital instrument cluster and above all an engine with a capacity of more than 200cc. The market has changed now, with exciting new models available, the Karizma is still one of the best looking bikes in the country, the fairing gels so well with the tank, and it doesn’t look disproportionate from any angle.
Hero Honda refreshed the bike by adding the R graphics (I am still looking for what does this R means), as well as the engine cover 3 years back. The still holds the charm against the new competition and looks hot in every colour.
4. TVS Apache RTR 180:
There are few bikes available in the market that can carry the yellow as well as the white colour effortlessly and RTR is one of them.
The 180 looks great in white, the golden coloured front forks, the bold RTR label on the tank extensions, the racing stripes running from the front mudguard, to the tank and the tail, the led tail lamps make the bike look really sporty. The petal disc brakes both front and rear as well as the rear 110 section tyre complete the look of the bike.
5. Royal Enfield Classic 350/500:
I was never a bullet fan, to me the Standard, Electra all looked the same, but this was one bullet that bowled me over, the post world war II styling, the pear shaped tank, the knee pads, the vintage instrument cluster, the single seat, the classically styled head lamp cluster, the rear fender, the tail lamp, each and every thing has been designed to keep the retro look of the bike and it all gels so well.
The simple look along with the modern machinery has made the Classic one of the hot selling models for the company, the Classic is attracting everyone from the hardcore bullet fans to the ones who always wished for a bullet but couldn’t gather the courage due to the past reputation and I am one of them.
Well, this was my list, and I agree that there are many more good looking bikes available in the market, but this is what I thought. Do let me know what your list is. I will be watching out the comments section 
- Kunal
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{ 94 comments… read them below or add one }
Here’s my list:
1. Karizma ZMR
2. Yamaha R15
3. Pulsar 150/180200 cc
4. Unicorn (Plain one)
5. Splendor+
Eager to see other’s lists…
Here is my list
Yamaha R15
Yamaha Fz 16
Pulser-150-220
Honda Dazzler
Honda Twister
The Pulsars looks better than Apache anyday. Seems to be like that the author is a little bit biased.
1. Kawasaki Ninja 250R.
2. Yamaha R15.
3. Yamaha Fazer.
4. Bajaj Pulsar 220.
5. TVS Apache RTR 180.
My List will be: -
1. Yamaha R15 & Yamaha FZS(Really its a tie… one is sportslooking and another is purely naked)
2. Honda Stunner
3. Hero Honda Karizma R
4. RE Classic 350/500
5. Apache RTR 180 White version.
No mention of P220, r u guys gone nuts?????
Good job kunal!you have just presented your opinion.I agree with you in 1,2,3,5 positions.My fourth place goes to pulsar 180cc i.e,
1.Yamaha R15
2.Yamaha FZ series
3.Karizma R
4.Pulsar 180
5.Royal enfield classic 350.
UNICORN 2004 model too had a descent and stunning looks.
Spot on Kunal !!
Superb choices….and also guess its in the right order, except tat the Bullet can be placed second in the list
Looks is always respective: for me-
1. RE Classic 350/550
2. Yamaha YZF R15
3. Apache RTR 180
4. Pulsar 220 Fairing Version
5. Yamaha Fazer 150 / Yamaha Fz series
(If I make a list of 10 best looking bikes then none of the Hero Honda bikes wouldn’t come. Sticker jobs is of no use for me..)
1. Yamaha R15
2. Karizma ZMR
3. Apache RTR 180
4. Plusar 200
5. Yamaha RX-100
my list -
1. APACHE RTR 180(white)/160 FI(orange)
2. YAMAHA R15 (spcly racing blue)
3. PULSAR 220 S (black,gray)
4. YAMAHA FZ-S (silver-red combo)
5. KARIZMA R (yellow)
because color does matter..
worst looking bikes… — top 5
1. KARIZMA ZMR
2. BAJAJ XCD 125
3. SUZUKI ZEUS
4. HH SPLENDOR PLUS
5. HONDA TWISTER
LIST IS LONG….but ths are the real winners….
My list would be…Though Iam a bit confused between the 1st two!!!!
1 Yamaha YZF R15
2 Yamaha FZ-S/FZ/Fazer
3 Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi
4 Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi
5 TVS Apache RTR 180
Here’s my list:
1. Yamaha R15
2. Hero Honda Karizma ZMR
3. Yamaha Fazer and the FZ series
4. Honda New Stunner CBF
5. Hero Honda Hunk
here r the 5 best luking byks acc 2 me
1. Karizma zmr
2. Pulsar 200
3. Yamaha fz16
4. Bullet thunderbird
5. Pulsar 220
i agree wid kunal(author)…but deepak i knw y u put karizma at first…cuz its ur bike ryt…haha…jus pulllin ur leg man…anyways here’s my list:
1.yzf r15
2.fz16/s
3.karizma r
nd the rest of the bikes r jus copies or in other words “derived” or “inspired”.i knw r15 is frm r1 n fz frm fz1…but talking abt the india bike scene…
i chose these bikes cuz these r original ideas…well karizma is atleast…..rest of em all r jus from the same bike format…jus normal bikes…its crazy…i think hu evr came up with the ideas of the above bikes thot of goin away frm the ordinary….i mean all the bike luks same…seriousli…even cars….most of the cars out there luk almost like a santro r swift…many cars ryt now luk the same like jazz,a-star,micra,nano etc…we dont even have much gudlooking suv’s…wat abt the sedans..arent ppl buyin those…y cant they make a sedan with swift’s performance…n ppl can buy a sedan for swifts money n sales of tht car wud boost maybe….r even a sports car looking styled car with lower power like applying the r15 idea….it cud really sell….correct me if m wrong…
PS. srry for talking abt cars in a bike blog…=]
Hey Shibin, I have a Karizma 2004 version… not the ZMR
Hey Kunal, and deepak
im very much amazed, that Stunner CBF 2010 is not included in this list.
Is it just because it is 125cc commuter?
This article should just focus on looks no??
Put 250cc engine in Stunner CBF 2010, and im sure most of the people will put it in top 3.
My list:
1. R15
2. ZMR
3. FZ-S
4. Royal Enfield
5. Stunner CBF 2010
Dude the fazer looks much better than the karizma, I THINK U HAVENT SEEN IT LOL
Here’s mine
1. ZMR
2. R15
3. CB Unicorn
4. Pulsar
5. FZ/CBZX
My list (including colors in some bikes):
1. Fz s
2. R15 (Blue and white)
3. Pulsar 200 (Blue)
4. Apache RTR 180
5. Royal Enfield- thunderbird
If you are mentioning Karizma R, then at least you should have used an image of the Karizma R and not the older Karizma..
1 R15
2 FZ
3 pulsar 220
ZMR looks like a big old donkey
Well colors are ohh so important in the looks of a bike….
My List goes on like this…
1. White ZMR
2. Blue r15
3. Red KarizmaR
4. White RTR 180
5. Black FZ16
1.R15
2.PULSAR 220S
3.FZ-S
4.KARIZMA ZMR
5.May be CLASSIC 500
My rating would be. . .
1.Pulsar 220 S
2.R15
3.FZ S
4.Karizma R
5.And RE Thunderbird TS
1.R15
2.FZ-S(especially the cyber green color)
3.Karizma ZMR
4.Pulsar 220
5.Unicorn Dazzler
I agree with the list accept RTR 180. In my list, it’ll be replaced by the Pulsar 180. The RTR’s headlight looks like a shovel when seen from the front.
My Rating,
1. R15
2. FZS
3. RTR 180 white
4. Karizma ZMR
5. HH HUNK.
FZ/Fazer
Stunner
R-15
ZMA
Twister
here’s my list
1. yamaha r15
2. karizma r
3. yamaha fz
4. bullet 350/500
5. apache 180
1. Karizma ZMR
2. Bullet thunderbird
3. Yamaha R 15
4. Apache RTR 180
5. Pulsar 150
My list would be
1.BLUE R15
2.WHITE ZMR
3.YELLOW KARIZMA R
4.BLACK PULSAR 220F
5.BLACK FAZER OR RED FZ16(I feel that it is a tie between them as the formar is the semi fairing version and the latter is the naked version)
1.Yamaha R-15
2.Yamaha Fz series
3.Hero honda Karizma R
4.Pulsar 200-S
5.Hero honda CBZ xtreme
Here’s my taste kunal.
-yamaha r15
-yamaha fz
-suzuki gs150r
-honda cb twister
-tvs apache rtr 180.
I hope this is right from high budget to mid to low range i.e.twister.
Atlast the japanese ruler the roads in terms of quality & technology.
If any one want to comment plz write my name in it-pritam.
Or-pdhamde@gmail.com
here’s my list
1. yamaha r15
2. karizma r
3. yamaha fz
4. bullet 350/500
5. apache 180
1. Zmr
2. R15
3. Classic 500
4. Fzs
5. Legendary cbz classic
1)Yamaha r15 2)thunder bird 3)pulsar 220F 4)fazer/pulsar 220S 5)zma
here is my list
1. yamaha r15
2. karizma ZMR
3. yamaha fazer
4. yamaha fzs
here is my list
1. yamaha r15
2. karizma ZMR
3. yamaha fazer
4. yamaha fzs
5. pulsar 150, 180, 220cc
My rating:
1.Yamaha Fazer Blue – A great head turner
2.Apache RTR 180 White – only the look and nothing else
3.Hero Honda Karizma R Red and Black – Striking
4.Yamaha SZ-X
5.Honda CB Twister
No Bajaj as all the bikes are dated…
My list goes like this : -
Ninja
ZMR
Pulsar 220
Yamaha R15
Bullet Classic 500
My list would be,
1) Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2) Yamaha Fazer
3) Yamaha YZF R15
4) Royal Enfield Classic 350/500
5) Bajaj Pulsar 180/150 DTSi
those who all ve included bikes like splendour+,zeus,twister etc in their list ve no idea abt looks n styling.. thank god u ppl din add tvs xl super or luna to ur list.. here’s my list
1.R15
2.KARIZMA R
3.PULSAR 220 Fi
4.APACHE 180
5.CLASSIC 500
Nice Article, Just wana put some facts right!!
The instrumental cluster used in R15 is not borrowed from the mighty R1 but infact its an close replica of original pocket rocket R125.
here is my list
1) Yamaha-R15(all colors)
2) Karizma-ZMR(white)
3) Yamaha FZs-(silver&red)
4) Karizma R-(all colors except blue)
5) P220 F-(all colors)
i think bajaj pulsar 220 should also be their. anyway if royal enfeild has taken up the position of bajaj pulsar 220 it can be accepted. other 4 bikes are also have a great look.
my list is . . .
yamaha R15
karizma R (red)
Royal enfield 350cc
pulsar 220f
unic0rn . . . .
My list guys..
1. Yamaha R15
2. P220F
3. Stunner CBF
4. P180
5. FZ-S
And guys.. the silver color of Stunner and the pulsar is just awesome.
Let me give the Top 5 Ugliest Bikes,
Bajaj XCD 125
Bajaj BYK
Suzuki Heat
Bajaj Platina
LML Adreno
wow it’s amazing
i’m agree with kunal
FZ & R15 fantastic motorcycle
My List,
1)Avenger 200/220
2)FZ 16/Yamaha R 15
3)Pulsar 200/Pulsar 220 S
4)Karizma R
5)Pulsar 135
1st it is only r15.
rest is for other bikes.
it really comes down to what type of bike u like ….like naked fully faired ,semi faired….i own a r15 myself but find fz16 better looking…than it….
Here is my list:
1.Bullet Classic
2.Thunderbird
3.Bajaj Avenger(220CC) (How one would miss this bike, it has got the looks and very reasonably priced)
4.Yamaha Fazer and FZ
5.R15 and Old Pulsar with the typical round headlight (I hope the old pulsar qualifies ??)
one thing that i am not satisfied with your words kunal. in your third choice u told that karizma was the first indian bike with half front fairing. before karizma , there was a bike in india with half front fairing and that was LML ADRENO.
Here is my list of best looking
1.GSX-R 1000
2.Blue kawasaki Ninja
3.Yamaha FZ / RE thunderbird
4.GS150R
5.Pulsar 135 LS
Bad looking 5 are
1.Pulsar 150 to 220 (similar side and rear profile exception is the head of 220)
2. The golden color dazzler (side look shows as if the bike is beefy)
3.Suzuki slingshot
4.New RE bullets (silencer is lengthier and going beyond the rear mudguard) 5.Yamaha frazer
Acc. to me real superstars are
1)pulsar 150/180
2)R15
3)Bullet 350
4)honda stunner
5)FZ 16
@ madhu– is Ninja available in blue color?? I am not aware of it….
This is topic of a great debate and it can go on and on and on.. Each one has it’s own opinion and I’m sure everyone puts his own bike 1st in the list (and why not, we love the bike we own aren’t we?)
I suggest better have some facility for polling where people can vote..
Here is my list
1.yamaha r15(all colors)
2.yamaha fazer(red)
3.yamaha fz(black)
4.herohonda karizma(red)
5.honda unicorn(black)
dude biikes from pulsors family are not dat bad that u kept them out of the “The Top 5 Best Looking Indian Motorcycles” list
by the way these pulsors are the first to start the make up of bikes in the country and still
dear frnzz i concludu u all:-
1.bullet thunderbird
2.YAMAHA-R15
3.KARIZMA-ZMR
4.APACHE RTR-180
5.HONDA STUNNER 2010
NO ONE CAN BEAT THIS….FINALLY ITS INDIA YAAR EVERYTHING IS ADJUSTABLE….VO TO HUM INDIAN BIKES ME V KAR LENGE..MIND IT N ROCK UR BODY..BYEEEEEE
Heres My list..
1)Karizma R
2)Yamaha R15
3)Pulsar 220 and Pulsar 150 DTS-I (2005) and Unicorn present model(not Dazzler)
4)HH CD100
5)HH CBZ old model and * CBZ
But Royal Enfiled Bullet Electra and thunderbird are always Royal and are always 1st…..
This is Ultimate List wat u say guys…!
Though I own an R15..this is my top 5 list!:D
1. Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2. Yamaha YZF R15
3. Yamaha FZ-S/FZ16
4. Bajaj Pulsar 220 Fi
5. Honda CB Stunner
Hi
1. Yamaha R15
2. CB Unicorn (black )
3. New CBZ Xtreame
4. Apache 180
5. Pulsar 150 .
my list will be
KARIZMA ZMR
YAMAHA R15
YAMAHA FZ
PULSAR 220
CBZ EXTREME
looks wise fazer 150 wins hands down
followed by r15
fz
cbz
apache rtr
Agreed mate fazer is the best
1.Royal enfield thunderbird twinspark Black(mine)[:D]
2.Yamaha R15 BLUE
3.Kawasaki ninja Green
4.White ZMR
5.PULSAR 200 BLUE
Here is my top 5 bike’s list plz check them out.
1. Yamaha YZF R15
2. Karizma ZMR
3. Bajaj Avenger
4. Yamaha FZ S
5. Bajaj Pulsar 220
Hi Guys,
I am very confusing between Dazzler or FZ to buy…
I know long term for Honda bikes for engine.. but not sure about yamaha egines….
can you help me for this?
re 350 classic
re 500
re electra
re 350 standard
yamaha r15
Here i suggest on the up coming bikes best looking list-
1. Yamaha YZF R125 2. Yamaha YZF R15 3. Kawasaki Ninja 250R 4. Yamaha Fz-s (black with green) 5. Pulsar 220 & 200 dtsi. & all this bikes have great performance & handling better then the looks too. Go hard with it Indian Bikers.!!!
My list
1.RE Classic 500EFI
2.RE Classic 350
3.RE Electra UCE
4.RE Thunderbird
5.RE Bullet 350 UCE
awesome ramesh …
its my list
1.Yamaha FZ16 Midnight special edition
2.Yamaha R15
3.Bajaj Avenger
3.Bajaj Pulsar 2010
4.Apache RTR
1) Yamaha Fazer
2) Yamaha R15
3) Karizma ZMR
4) Karizma R
5) Yamaha FZ16
1) RE CLASSIC 350/500
2) KAWASAKI NINJA
3) BAJAJ AVENGER
4) HH KARIZMA
5) YAMAHA FZS
What is good in Karizma?
1.PULSAR 220–[Fastest Indian-Definitely MALE]
2.Yamaha R-15–[Real Muscle Indian]
3.Karizma — [Sytlish]
4.CBZ Extreme — [Giant Look]
5.Bullet Classic — [Pride to Ride]
I agree
1. Pulsar 220 S/F – Real good stylish looking
2. Yamaha YZF R15 – True bike with no matching style
3. Pulsar 200 – Street Fighter
4. Karizma – Stylish yet again
5. Royal Enfield – Classic of all time
But the real ugly date raped face is the APACHE or so called RTR. Again i’m sorry, the above five are bikes and this one is a cheap rust
Pulasr 150 & 180 is ok to be on the list…even the 135 is ok…but 220 that bike looks like a dead alien you idiots….apache is any way better then pulsar…& these pulasr maniacs are jelous of the fact…U all r REALLY MANIACS
Here comes my list friends….
1) Kawasaki Ninja..
2) Yamaha R15 Black version
3) Karizma zmr black version
4) Pulsar 135
5) Hero Honda Hunk…
Hope everyone like these tooo
here’s the 5 best bikes
Pulsar 220
Pulsar 180
Pulsar 150
Pulsar 135
Karizma zmr
R15
My List:
1) Yamaha R15
2) Yamaha FZ-S
3) RE-Classic 500
4) CBR-250
5) Thunderbird.
r15 classic500 karizma-r fzs
pulsar200
My Fav Looking Bikes -
)
1) Kawasaki Ninja 250R
2) Honda CBR 250R
3) Yamaha Fazer
4) Honda CBF 125 Stunner
5) Yamaha R15
6) Bajaj Pulsar 220F
7) Bajaj Avenger (with external windshields
pulsar is the best for every bike .u can don’t beat a pulsar 220 bike for any indian bike
apache rtr 180 new ABS white version
“My Top 5″ (best looking motorcycles)
1. Wind 125 (first place.. may b ‘cos i own one)
2. Karizma R
3. Avenger (all variants)
4. Pulsar 200
5. Crux R (for its simple looks)
Note: For me, all of these (and all bikes on earth!) look good when there’re no mirrors in it.
i like R15, FZ is also gud