The adventure bike segment under Rs 3 lakh has never been more crowded — or more interesting. In 2026, Indian buyers can pick from five genuinely capable ADVs, including the brand-new TVS Apache RTX and the Hero Xpulse 210, each with its own take on suspension, electronics and touring hardware. Whether you're planning a Spiti run or just want something that handles broken state highways without drama, the spec sheets in this price bracket have changed considerably. Here's what each bike actually offers and where it makes sense.
Hero Xpulse 210 — Rs 1.67 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
The Hero Xpulse 210 is the cheapest bike on this list and arguably the most trail-ready for the money. It runs a 210cc DOHC liquid-cooled engine making 24.26 hp and 20.7 Nm, paired with a 6-speed gearbox and an assist
and slipper clutch. The suspension is what really sets it apart at this price — 210 mm front travel and 205 mm rear, on proper spoke wheels with a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear. Ground clearance is 220 mm, kerb weight is 168 kg, and seat height is 830 mm. Braking is handled by petal disc brakes at both ends, with single-channel ABS on the base trim and dual-channel on the Pro. The Pro also gets a TFT display with Bluetooth turn-by-turn navigation. For buyers who actually plan to take the bike off-tarmac, nothing in this list comes close at this price.
TVS Apache RTX — Rs 1.99 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
TVS' first proper adventure bike, and it arrives with the biggest engine punch in this lineup. The 299.1cc liquid-cooled motor puts out 35.5 hp at 9,000 rpm and 28.5 Nm at 7,000 rpm. It sits on a steel trellis frame with 41 mm USD forks and a rear monoshock, both with 180 mm of travel. Wheels are 19/17-inch alloys, and braking comes from a 320 mm front disc with a radial caliper and a 240 mm rear disc, with switchable dual-channel ABS. Four riding modes and a TFT display round out the package. The alloy wheel setup tells you what this bike is really built for — highway runs and mixed roads rather than serious dirt work. But at Rs 1.99 lakh with this kind of power and electronics, it's hard to ignore.
Yezdi Adventure — Rs 2.04 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
The Yezdi brings the largest displacement engine in this group. The 334cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled unit makes 29.6 hp and 29.8 Nm, goes through a six-speed gearbox, and rides on a 21-18-inch spoke wheel setup with telescopic forks, a rear monoshock and single discs at both ends with switchable ABS. Ground clearance is 220 mm and the fuel tank holds 15.5 litres — useful for longer hauls between fuel stops. The big engine and spoke wheels make it the better highway-plus-dirt combo in the Rs 2 lakh range.
Suzuki V-Strom SX — Rs 2 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
The Suzuki V-Strom SX runs a 249cc 4-valve oil-cooled single making 24.16 hp at 9,300 rpm and 22.2 Nm at 7,300 rpm through a 6-speed gearbox. Seat height is 835 mm, ground clearance is 205 mm, and it gets a full-digital instrument cluster with Bluetooth, dual-channel ABS, and a USB charging port. The engine is essentially carried over from the Gixxer 250, which is a well-established, low-fuss unit that's been in the market long enough to have a solid service history. It sits on 19/17-inch alloy wheels with telescopic forks and a rear monoshock. This is a comfortable, reliable highway tourer — but if your routes involve rough trails or river crossings, the lack of spoke wheels and the lower suspension travel are real-world limitations worth thinking about.
KTM 250 Adventure — Rs 2.48 Lakh (Ex-Showroom)
The most expensive option here, and it does earn that premium in terms of electronics and build quality. The 249.07cc SOHC liquid-cooled engine makes 30.5 hp and 25 Nm, with Quickshifter+, ride-by-wire, offroad ABS mode with disengageable rear ABS, WP APEX 43 mm non-adjustable USD forks with 200 mm of travel, 205 mm rear travel and a 5-inch TFT display with navigation. Fuel tank is 14.5 litres, seat height is 825 mm, and it rolls on 19/17-inch alloy wheels. The electronics package is the most complete in this comparison. The trade-off is the alloy wheels — buyers expecting spoke wheels and deeper off-road capability at this price will find the Yezdi or the Xpulse 210 more practical. But for someone who wants the most refined, feature-loaded experience and sticks mostly to tarmac and graded roads, the KTM makes its case.
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