Traction control is a desirable safety feature in vehicles that enhance stability and control during acceleration by preventing wheel spin, especially on slippery surfaces. This is achieved either by reducing engine power or applying brakes to the slipping wheel(s), thus restoring grip and preventing skidding.
While this feature has gained more prominence in cars, in two-wheelers it is still more of a luxury offering than safety. Yet, in recent years, many mass-market two-wheeler brands have started offering traction control as a feature. Let us look at the five most affordable motorcycles on sale in India that come equipped with a traction control system.
Yamaha FZ-S FI
Yamaha is the most affordable motorcycle brand in India to offer traction control with the FZ-S Hybrid which is priced at Rs 1.45 lakh (ex-showroom). This version of the commuter roadster is powered by a 149cc, air-cooled engine, which kicks out 12.2 bhp at 7,250 rpm and 13. 3Nm at 5,500rpm and comes mated to a five-speed gearbox. This variant of FZ-S FI is paired with an SMG (Starter Motor Generator), which facilitates additional torque on the crankshaft in lower revs for slightly better acceleration.
Price: Rs 1.45 lakh (ex-showroom)
Bajaj Pulsar N250
Bajaj launched an updated iteration of the Pulsar N250 in April last year. The update added traction control as a feature in the quarter-litre naked Pulsar. Powering the naked streetfighter is a 2249cc, single-cylinder, oil-cooled engine that produces 24.1 bhp and a peak torque of 21.5 Nm. The motor is linked to a five-speed gearbox via a slipper clutch.
Price: Rs 1.50 lakh (ex-showroom)
Honda NX200
Essentially a refurbished CB 200X, Honda launched the NX200 a few months back which became the most affordable two-wheeler from the Japanese auto giant to get Honda’s Selectable Torque Control feature, which is the company’s lingo for traction control. Powering the Honda NX200 is an 184cc, single-cylinder motor that churns out 17.03 bhp at 8,500rpm and 16.1Nm of peak torque at 6,000rpm. It comes mated to a five-speed gearbox.
Price: Rs 1.68 lakh (ex-showroom)
Yamaha MT-15 V2 / R15 V4
Yamaha offers traction control also in the MT-15 V2 and R15 V4. Both motorcycles are powered by a 155cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, SOHC, four-valve, fuel-injected engine with VVA system which produces 18.1 bhp at 10,000rpm and a peak torque of 14.2 Nm at 7,500rpm. This motor is paired with a 6-speed gearbox via a slip and assist clutch.
Price: Rs 1.70 — 2.12 lakh (ex-showroom)
Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z
Bajaj launched its flagship Pulsar in July last year in the form of Pulsar NS400Z. At a sticker price of Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom), the Pulsar NS400Z is one of the better overall packages to consider, Powering the 400cc naked Pulsar is powered by a 373cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that produces 39.4 bhp at 8,800rpm and 35 Nm of peak torque at 6,5000rpm. The engine is linked to a six-speed gearbox and benefits from a slip-and-assist clutch.
Price: Rs 1.85 lakh (ex-showroom)
