Indian mass-market motorcycles are getting flashier and more expensive with every upgrade cycle. From Bluetooth dashboards to ride modes, manufacturers are packing features once reserved for big bikes into 150-180cc models. It looks impressive on paper, but many of these "premium" add-ons offer little real benefit to the average commuter while greatly boosting their marketing value.
Cruise Control
Cruise control makes sense on a highway tourer like the Harley-Davidson Pan America or BMW GS, not on a city runabout. Entry-level bikes with modest engines rarely sustain steady triple-digit speeds where cruise control could shine. For urban riders dodging potholes and speed breakers, this feature often remains more of a brochure highlight than a tool they'll ever use.
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Turn-by-Turn Navigation
Turn-by-turn navigation integrated into the instrument cluster can sound futuristic, but in practice, it's often a half-baked experience. Small LCDs, slow Bluetooth syncing, and limited map data make it frustrating. A mid-range smartphone mounted on the handlebars still does the job far better. Even so, brands continue to flaunt navigation connectivity as proof of "tech-forward" innovation.
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Ride Modes
Adjustable ride modes in commuter motorcycles, usually labeled as 'Eco', 'Rain', or 'Sport', can give the illusion of a racing pedigree. But with lower power output and budget ECUs, the performance difference between modes is minimal at best. Still, the very mention of "Sport Mode" helps manufacturers tap into the growing aspirational market of young buyers.
Marketing Gold
These features check an emotional box; they make an entry-level motorcycle feel expensive and cutting-edge. While they might not revolutionize daily rides, they do something equally valuable for brands: help products stand out on showroom floors and social media feeds. And in a segment driven as much by perception as performance, that alone makes them worth including.