Best Family Bikes in India (2026)

This guide is based on real owner forum data, dealer service quotes, and independent test rides — not manufacturer claims. Mileage figures reflect typical city riding conditions with occasional pillion, not ARAI lab results. Family suitability scores are based on a composite of comfort, mileage, pillion capability, seat height accessibility, and long-term maintenance ease.

A family bike earns its place differently from a solo commuter or a weekend sport machine. It needs to start reliably every morning whether the rider is heading to work or dropping children to school. It must carry a pillion without drama — a spouse, an elderly parent, or a school-age child — across roads that are not always smooth. The seat must be low enough for shorter family members to manage confidently, and it must be inexpensive enough to maintain that servicing never gets delayed because of cost.

This guide covers 15 motorcycles across three budget tiers — from dependable everyday family workhorses to feature-rich 125cc machines that balance family practicality with modern refinement. Every bike here is assessed specifically through the family lens: two-up comfort, suspension quality over broken roads, seat height, service network depth, and the monthly cost of keeping it on the road year after year.

At a Glance — All 15 Family Bikes Compared

All fifteen bikes ranked by family suitability across budget tiers.

1. Hero HF Deluxe

₹57,657 (ex-showroom)  |  97.2cc  |  City mileage: 65–70 km/l

For families on the tightest budget, the Hero HF Deluxe is the most financially responsible starting point. At ₹57,657 ex-showroom it is one of the cheapest family-capable bikes in India, and it comes backed by Hero's 6,000+ service centre network — the widest in the country. This matters enormously for a family bike: when your morning school run depends on it, you need it serviced quickly and affordably wherever you live.

The 97.2cc engine is unchanged across decades of refinement and represents one of the most proven powertrains in Indian motorcycling. It will not let a family down. Real-world mileage of 65–70 km/l keeps running costs as low as they can go, and a basic service costs under ₹800 at any Hero workshop. The alloy wheel option on select variants reduces puncture downtime — a practical benefit for family riders.

The honest limitations are comfort and features. The seat is narrow and firm, the suspension is basic, and there is no disc brake. For short city trips of 15–25 km, none of this is a dealbreaker. For families who regularly carry a pillion over longer distances, the Bajaj Platina 110 or TVS Star City Plus offer more appropriate comfort at a modest premium.

Who should buy: Families on the tightest budget who need a supremely reliable daily bike for short city trips and occasional pillion riding. Best for urban and semi-urban families within easy reach of a Hero service centre.

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2. Bajaj Platina 110

₹69,941 (ex-showroom)  |  115cc  |  City mileage: 65 km/l

The Bajaj Platina 110 is the best family-focused bike in the budget segment for one specific and important reason: ride quality. Its SNS (Spring in Spring) suspension setup is the softest in the sub-₹70k segment, and for a family bike that regularly carries a pillion across India's uneven urban roads, this is not a luxury — it is a practical necessity. A pillion passenger notices every pothole the suspension fails to absorb. The Platina 110 absorbs them better than anything else at this price.

The 115cc engine is a step up from Hero's 97cc commuter units, offering better pull at 50–65 km/h — the range where most family riding happens. The front disc brake option is a meaningful safety addition for a family bike and is worth the few thousand rupees it adds over the drum-only variant. At 65 km/l, running costs remain very competitive, and the wider seat benefits both rider and pillion on longer journeys.

The trade-off is Bajaj's service network, which is thinner than Hero's in rural and semi-urban areas. For city-based families this rarely matters, but for anyone beyond a tier-2 city who needs quick parts availability, Hero's network depth is the stronger argument.

Who should buy: City and tier-1 families who regularly carry a pillion across rough roads and want the softest ride and disc braking under ₹70,000. The best budget family bike for comfort-first buyers.

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3. TVS Star City Plus

₹72,025 (ex-showroom)  |  109.7cc  |  City mileage: 65 km/l

The TVS Star City Plus is a well-rounded family bike that punches above its price in several areas that matter to families. The 109.7cc engine shared with the TVS Radeon is more responsive in city traffic than Hero's 97cc unit — filtering through gaps and pulling away from stops with noticeably less effort, which adds up across years of school-run commutes and errand trips. The semi-digital instrument cluster and disc brake option are modern features rarely found this affordably.

TVS has designed the Star City Plus with the traditional family buyer in mind: the ergonomics favour an upright riding posture that keeps the rider fresh across longer trips, the pillion seat is properly padded and wide enough for an adult or a child, and the grab rails are sturdy and positioned correctly. These are details that matter when a parent is regularly carrying a child to school or a spouse on a daily commute.

The TVS service network is solid in metro and tier-1 cities but thinner than Hero in rural or tier-3 areas. Resale is lower than Splendor-class Hero bikes. But as a city family bike, the Star City Plus offers a complete and practical specification at a genuinely competitive price.

Who should buy: City families looking for a practical, comfortable, well-specified family bike under ₹75,000. A better all-round package than the HF Deluxe if city service access isn't a concern.

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4. Hero Splendor Plus

₹74,958 (ex-showroom)  |  97.2cc  |  City mileage: 70 km/l

The Hero Splendor Plus has been India's best-selling motorcycle for over two decades, and the single most consistent reason for that dominance is its suitability as a family bike. Families across India trust it because it has never given them a reason not to. The engine starts every morning, the service centre is always nearby, and the parts cost less than any comparable bike in the country. Over a three-to-five year ownership period, no bike in this guide costs less to keep on the road.

The 785mm seat height is low enough for shorter family members — a consideration that matters when multiple people in a household share the bike. The light clutch pull and smooth gearbox mean a less experienced family member can manage city traffic without fatigue. The 70 km/l real-world mileage is outstanding and means the monthly fuel bill is as low as it gets, freeing family budget for other priorities.

Its limitation for family use is the lack of a disc brake, which affects wet-weather confidence. Families who want all the Splendor's advantages plus a disc brake and LED lighting should step up ₹3,689 to the Splendor Plus XTEC — it is one of the best ₹3,689 upgrades in motorcycling.

Who should buy: Families who want the absolute safest long-term bet — a bike that will never strand them, will always be cheap to fix, and will return the most money when they sell it. The default recommendation for most Indian families.

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5. Hero Splendor Plus XTEC

₹78,647 (ex-showroom)  |  97.2cc  |  City mileage: 70 km/l

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC is the Splendor Plus that most families should actually buy. For ₹3,689 more than the base Splendor Plus, it adds a front disc brake, full LED lighting, Bluetooth connectivity with navigation and call alerts, and a USB charging port. These additions transform the Splendor's already-strong family credentials into a modern, complete package — and the Bluetooth feature specifically suits families where the rider needs turn-by-turn directions for school pickups or unfamiliar routes.

The front disc makes a real difference on a family bike. Wet road braking is more confident, and the extra modulation means smoother stops when a child is riding pillion — a pillion who may shift weight unexpectedly at inopportune moments. The LED headlight improves visibility in early morning school-run conditions. Every feature here has a direct practical application for family use, not just commuting in general.

The 97.2cc engine and 70 km/l mileage are identical to the base Splendor Plus, so all of Hero's running-cost and reliability advantages are preserved. The XTEC costs effectively the same to run but is meaningfully safer and more capable in daily family use.

Who should buy: Families who want the Splendor's proven reliability but with safety upgrades (disc, LED) and basic modern features. The most practical upgrade over the base Splendor Plus for just ₹3,689 more.

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6. Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0

₹81,060 (ex-showroom)  |  97.2cc  |  City mileage: 70 km/l

The Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 is the most complete version of India's most trusted family motorcycle. Over the XTEC, it adds a refreshed design, enhanced Bluetooth features, and a more complete instrument cluster — the kind of visible upgrades that matter when a bike spends years at the centre of a household's daily life. At ₹81,060, it sits at the boundary between the Splendor range and the 125cc commuters, and it makes a compelling argument for staying with 97cc when Hero's reliability and service network are this important to you.

For families who have owned a Splendor before and are considering stepping up to a 125cc Honda or Hero Glamour, the XTEC 2.0 represents a genuine alternative: you gain all the modern features without sacrificing any of the ownership advantages that made you choose Hero in the first place. The 70 km/l mileage is still the best in this guide at any price — nothing in the 125cc tier comes close.

The 97.2cc engine remains the limit for families who regularly use highways. If your routine includes highway segments of 20+ km, a 125cc bike will serve the family more comfortably.

Who should buy: Hero loyalists and families who want the best possible Splendor without stepping into 125cc territory. Perfect for purely urban family use where mileage and service access outweigh displacement.

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7. Honda Livo

₹80,220 (ex-showroom)  |  109.5cc  |  City mileage: 60 km/l

The Honda Livo brings Honda's signature refinement and build quality to the 110cc family segment at a price point that sits neatly between the Hero Splendor range and the full 125cc bikes. Its 109.5cc engine is noticeably smoother than the Hero 97cc units — vibration levels are lower, the engine note is quieter, and the overall feel at 50–60 km/h is more composed. For a family bike that a parent rides to work every morning and a spouse might use independently, the Livo's polished character removes small daily irritants that accumulate into genuine dissatisfaction.

Honda's build quality directly benefits a family bike in ways that aren't always obvious at the showroom: panel gaps that don't rattle after monsoon use, paint that doesn't fade after years of outdoor parking, and an engine that stays clean for longer between services. The combined braking system (CBS) on the Livo is worth particular mention for family use — it distributes braking force between both wheels automatically, reducing the risk of a front-wheel lockup that can occur when a nervous or inexperienced rider grabs the brake lever hard in a panic stop.

Who should buy: City families who value Honda's refinement and build quality and prefer the smoothness of a Honda engine over the raw cost advantages of Hero. Best for metro and tier-1 city households with easy Honda service access.

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8. Hero Glamour

₹83,617 (ex-showroom)  |  124.7cc  |  City mileage: 55 km/l

The Hero Glamour is the logical first step up from the Splendor for families whose needs have grown beyond what a 97cc engine can handle. Its 124.7cc motor provides meaningful extra pull when carrying a pillion on inclines, accelerating onto highways, or navigating mixed urban and semi-rural roads. The i3S idle stop-start system reduces engine wear during extended school-run stop-start traffic — a cumulative benefit that matters over years of family ownership.

What makes the Hero Glamour specifically compelling for families outside major cities is its service network. It is the only 125cc bike in India backed by Hero's 6,000+ service centre depth. Rural and semi-urban families who are considering a 125cc upgrade but depend on quick, affordable local service can make this choice without giving up anything in terms of parts availability or workshop access. Hero's parts pricing is also the cheapest in the 125cc class — a family that keeps a bike for five or more years notices this.

Who should buy: Families outside India's major cities who need 125cc capability but cannot compromise on service accessibility. The Splendor Plus of the 125cc world — the safest long-term choice for rural family buyers.

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9. Bajaj Pulsar 125

₹82,420 (ex-showroom)  |  124.4cc  |  City mileage: 50–55 km/l

The Bajaj Pulsar 125 earns its place in a family bikes guide by addressing a real household scenario: the rider who carries the family during the week and wants to feel something on the weekends. Its 124.4cc engine is tuned with more character than the commuter-focussed 125cc bikes — the throttle response is crisper, the engine note is more engaging, and the overall experience is noticeably more spirited. For a household where the bike's primary rider also has some riding enthusiasm, the Pulsar 125 avoids the resignation that can come with purely utilitarian family bikes.

On the practical side, the Pulsar 125 delivers 50–55 km/l — lower than the Honda SP 125 or Hero Glamour, but reasonable for its character. The build quality is solid, the seat is well-padded for two-up riding, and the front disc brake is standard. The 140kg weight is appropriate for a family bike, and the low seat height makes it accessible to most adult family members.

The trade-off is ownership cost: Bajaj's parts and service costs run slightly higher than Hero, and the service network is less comprehensive in rural areas. For city families, neither of these is a dealbreaker.

Who should buy: City families where the primary rider has genuine riding interest and doesn't want to feel completely detached on a commuter-tuned motorcycle. The family bike that won't bore you on a Sunday morning.

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10. TVS Raider 125

₹84,490 (ex-showroom)  |  124.8cc  |  City mileage: 56–60 km/l

The TVS Raider 125 addresses a very modern family need: the connected household where every device talks to every other device, and the motorcycle is no exception. SmartXonnect Bluetooth connects the Raider to a parent's smartphone, displaying turn-by-turn navigation alerts on the semi-digital cluster — genuinely useful when navigating to a new school, hospital, or address. USB Type-C charging means the phone arrives at the destination with battery to spare. For families that live by their phones, these aren't extras; they're how modern life works.

The 124.8cc engine produces strong 56–60 km/l mileage — competitive with the Hero Glamour despite the Raider's more modern character. The TFT display on the top variant provides clear, glanceable information, and the overall specification level is the highest of any 125cc family bike under ₹90,000. The design is also the most attractive of any bike in the mid-range tier, which matters in households where how the bike looks in the driveway is part of the decision.

Who should buy: Tech-forward city families who want the most feature-rich 125cc available under ₹90,000. If navigation and phone connectivity matter to your daily routine, the Raider 125 is the best answer in this price range.

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11. Hero Glamour X

₹86,073 (ex-showroom)  |  124.7cc  |  City mileage: 55 km/l

The Hero Glamour X is the Glamour with the features a modern family expects. Over the base Glamour, it adds Bluetooth connectivity with navigation and call notifications, a more comprehensive semi-digital cluster, and enhanced lighting. These additions make it the most complete Hero 125cc for families who want to stay within Hero's service ecosystem while enjoying the connected features that TVS Raider 125 buyers choose the Raider for.

The combination of Hero's 6,000+ service network, 125cc performance, and Bluetooth connectivity is genuinely unique in the Indian market. No other 125cc bike offers Hero's rural service depth alongside connected features. For families in semi-urban areas who need a reliable daily bike but also want navigation alerts on their cluster, the Glamour X is the only option that genuinely ticks both boxes.

The i3S stop-start system carries over from the base Glamour, reducing engine wear in heavy family-use traffic. Hero's parts pricing is the most affordable in the 125cc class, keeping long-term ownership costs lower than Honda and TVS alternatives even when the purchase price is similar.

Who should buy: Families in semi-urban or rural areas who want 125cc performance, Bluetooth connectivity, and Hero's unmatched service safety net. The only 125cc that delivers all three.

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12. Honda Shine 125

₹80,852 (ex-showroom)  |  124cc  |  City mileage: 55–60 km/l

The Honda Shine 125 is the best all-round family bike in the mid-range tier for one overarching reason: it brings Honda's engineering philosophy — maximum refinement, minimum fatigue — to the exact displacement sweet spot for Indian family riding. The 124cc engine is characteristically Honda: smooth, quiet, linear, and vibration-free at the speeds a family rides every day. A spouse who is less confident on two wheels will find the Shine 125 far less intimidating than the Pulsar 125. A parent who rides it daily will arrive less tired.

The Shine 125's build quality is the best in the mid-range family segment outside the Honda SP 125. Panel alignment stays precise, the finish holds up to years of daily family use including monsoon riding and occasional drops, and the quality of the switchgear and controls remains tactile and reassuring far into the bike's life. CBS braking is standard — the same safety benefit described for the Honda Livo applies here at 125cc.

The Honda Shine 125 occupies a particular sweet spot: more refined and comfortable than the Hero Glamour and Glamour X, less expensive and simpler than the Honda SP 125, and better two-up comfort than the Bajaj Pulsar 125. For a family that wants the right bike across all the dimensions that matter — comfort, refinement, reliability, and practical ownership — the Shine 125 is the most balanced answer.

Who should buy: Families who prioritise refinement, comfort, and build quality above features and who want the most approachable, smooth 125cc for multiple family members to use. The best all-round family 125cc in the mid-range tier.

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13. Hero Super Splendor XTEC

₹82,876 (ex-showroom)  |  124.7cc  |  City mileage: 60 km/l

The Hero Super Splendor XTEC is Hero's most complete family 125cc — combining the brand's best-in-class service network, a proven 124.7cc engine, class-leading 60 km/l mileage at 125cc, and XTEC-standard features including Bluetooth, LED, disc brake, and USB charging. For families that have been Hero customers through the Splendor and want to step up to 125cc without leaving Hero's service certainty behind, the Super Splendor XTEC is the natural destination.

The 60 km/l real-world mileage is notable: it is the best in this guide's mid-range tier among 125cc bikes. The Hero Glamour manages 55 km/l, the Honda Shine 125 achieves 55–60 km/l, and the Honda SP 125 matches 60 km/l — but the Super Splendor XTEC delivers this at a lower price than the SP 125. For a family that will own this bike for five or more years, that mileage advantage translates into genuine savings.

The wider seat and upright ergonomics make it the most comfortable Hero 125cc for two-up family riding, and the Bluetooth feature allows navigation alerts for family errands. This is the Hero family bike recommendation for buyers whose priority is long-term reliability and lowest total cost of ownership at 125cc.

Who should buy: Hero families stepping up from the Splendor range who want 125cc performance, modern features, and Hero's full service network in one bike. The best Hero family 125cc available.

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14. Honda SP 125

₹88,750 (ex-showroom)  |  124cc FI  |  City mileage: 60 km/l

The Honda SP 125 is the benchmark 125cc for Indian families who plan to own their bike for the long term. Its PGM-FI fuel injection system delivers 60 km/l consistently across all conditions and seasons — winter cold starts, summer heat, monsoon humidity — with no carburettor jetting drift that requires adjustment. For a family that wants to buy a bike and have it simply work flawlessly for five years, this consistency is precisely what FI provides.

Honda's build quality on the SP 125 is the best of any bike in this guide's mid-range tier. The panel gaps that stay tight mean less monsoon water ingress. The paint durability means the bike looks respectable after years of daily family parking. The engine stays cleaner for longer between services, meaning fewer unplanned workshop visits at inconvenient moments. For a family bike, these are not small considerations — they are the difference between a bike that becomes a quiet, reliable background appliance and one that generates stress.

The SP 125's resale value is the strongest in the 125cc class — a well-kept three-year-old SP 125 recovers 62–68% of its purchase price, which effectively makes the higher upfront cost over the Hero Glamour or Super Splendor XTEC largely self-recovering over the ownership cycle.

Who should buy: City families who want the best long-term value at 125cc and are willing to pay a modest premium upfront for FI consistency, Honda build quality, and the best resale in the segment. The financially smartest 125cc family bike over a 3–5 year cycle.

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15. Honda Unicorn

₹1,12,898 (ex-showroom)  |  162.71cc FI  |  City mileage: 50 km/l

The Honda Unicorn is the family bike for households whose riding needs have grown beyond what a 125cc can comfortably handle. If your family regularly covers 60–80 km in a day — school run plus office commute plus weekend grocery run — or if your route includes highway segments at 70–90 km/h, the 162.71cc FI engine of the Unicorn makes every one of those kilometres less tiring. It is tuned specifically for a broad, relaxed power delivery rather than peak performance, and the result is a motorcycle that an adult pillion can ride behind for 45 minutes without complaint.

Honda has prioritised seat and ergonomic comfort on the Unicorn above almost everything else. The seat is wide and well-padded for both rider and pillion, the riding position is upright and natural, and the engine is so smooth and vibration-free at highway speeds that long family trips become genuinely comfortable rather than merely endurable. For families who take regular outstation trips of 100–200 km — visiting relatives, pilgrimages, family functions — the Unicorn's long-distance character is an asset that no 125cc in this guide can replicate.

The 50 km/l mileage is lower than the 125cc bikes here, and the higher purchase price means it suits families with slightly more budget headroom. But for the specific family that needs relaxed, confident two-up riding across varied daily and occasional long-distance use, no bike in this guide is better suited.

Who should buy: Families covering 60–80+ km daily or making regular outstation trips who want the most comfortable, relaxed two-up riding experience available. The Honda Unicorn is specifically engineered for this use case — nothing in this guide does it better.

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Monthly Running Cost Comparison

Estimated monthly fuel cost for a 30 km daily family commute (260 km/month including weekend errands) at ₹104/litre. Service cost averaged over 12 months based on a 3,000 km service interval.

What Actually Matters When Choosing a Family Bike

• Who else in the family will ride it: If multiple family members will ride independently, seat height is critical. Hero's Splendor range at 785mm and the Honda Unicorn's accessible ergonomics suit shorter adult riders. Avoid bikes above 800mm for household members under 5'4".
• How often you carry a pillion: Daily pillion use demands proper suspension and a wide, well-padded seat. The Bajaj Platina 110 leads the budget tier; the Honda Shine 125 and Honda SP 125 lead the mid-range; the Honda Unicorn is the best pillion bike in this guide overall.
• Your daily and weekly distance: Under 30 km daily — any bike here is suitable. 30–60 km daily — prioritise a 125cc FI bike like the SP 125 or Super Splendor XTEC. Over 60 km or regular highway use — the Honda Unicorn's 160cc engine is the right step up.
• Where you live and service access: Rural or semi-urban areas — Hero bikes (Splendor family, Glamour, Super Splendor) are the safest choice; 6,000+ service centres means parts are never far and rarely expensive. Metro and tier-1 cities — Honda and TVS are fully competitive with Hero on service access.
• Whether you need Bluetooth and connectivity: If navigation for school and errand routes matters, the Hero Glamour X, Hero Splendor Plus XTEC, Hero Super Splendor XTEC, and TVS Raider 125 all offer Bluetooth. The TVS Raider 125 is the most fully featured; the Hero options offer this with better rural service depth.
• Long-term ownership plans: Keeping the bike 4+ years — prioritise resale value and FI reliability; Honda SP 125 wins this category. Keeping 2–3 years in metro area — Yamaha, TVS, and Bajaj are more competitive on resale. Planning to pass the bike to a family member eventually — Hero's lower parts costs and wider service network make hand-me-down ownership cheaper.

Worth Considering Beyond This Guide

If your family's needs don't fit squarely within this list, these bikes are also worth evaluating:

Honda Shine 100

Honda's least-vibration sub-₹70k option. If Honda refinement is the priority but the budget won't stretch to the Livo or Shine 125.

View specs →

Hero Glamour XTEC

Hero's Glamour with the full XTEC treatment for families wanting Hero's 125cc at the most complete specification available.

View specs →

Honda SP 160

Best mileage in the 160cc class at 45–53 km/l. A refined family upgrade for households that need more than 125cc but find the Unicorn's price steep.

View specs →

Final Verdict

Choosing a family bike in India is a different calculation from choosing a commuter or a sports bike. You are choosing a machine that more than one person will depend on, that will carry precious cargo — a child, a spouse, an elderly parent — and that must be affordable to maintain for years without financial stress. That changes the ranking entirely.

For most Indian families, the Hero Splendor Plus XTEC or Hero Splendor Plus XTEC 2.0 represents the practical sweet spot: the trust and service safety net of India's most proven family brand, combined with the modern features (disc, LED, Bluetooth) that make the bike genuinely safer and more capable in daily family use. Families who can stretch slightly further should seriously consider the Honda Shine 125 — the most refined and comfortable all-round 125cc in the mid-range tier.

For families committed to Hero's service network at 125cc, the Hero Super Splendor XTEC is the best choice — Hero's widest service depth, class-competitive mileage, and modern features. The Hero Glamour X suits semi-urban families who want Bluetooth connectivity alongside Hero's rural service reliability.

For the best long-term value at 125cc, the Honda SP 125's FI consistency, Honda build quality, and strongest segment resale make the upfront premium a sound long-term investment. And for families whose riding needs include regular outstation trips or sustained highway use with a pillion, the Honda Unicorn is the only bike in this guide genuinely built for that task.

Whatever you choose, take a test ride with a pillion if possible. The difference between a bike that carries two people comfortably and one that merely carries two people is something you will feel on day one and for every day of ownership thereafter.

Frequently Asked Questions