Roadster bikes are a variant of double-wheeled motorbikes designed primarily for daily usage on paved roads. They fuse the agility and functionality of sports bikes with the simplicity and design of naked bikes.
These bikes have distinctive features that visually set them apart from types of bikes, like slender fuel tanks, flat or slightly raised handlebars, and short rear fenders. They are the bike of choice for riders who want a bike to use for daily commutes in urban environments.
Components of a Roadster Bike
These are some of the primary components that a roadster bike is comprised of:
Engine
Like with all other vehicles, the engine is the most important component, as without it, the roadster bikes will not be able to function. Roadster bikes are usually powered by single or twin-cylinder engines that displace between 334 to 1202 cc. Typically the engines can produce power between 20.2 and 40 bhp and torque between 27 to 96 Nm.
Roadster engines are also equipped with either air or liquid coolers to prevent overheating. 5 or 6-speed gearboxes are standard for roadster bikes, and all feature fuel injection systems for efficient emission control.
Chassis
A bike’s chassis is the metal skeleton on which the bike is built and supported. Without the chassis, the different parts and components of the bike would fall apart, with nothing to hold them together.
The type and design of the chassis also set the limits for the wheel size, suspension travel distance, engine carry capacity, and ground clearance that the bike will have. Many different types of chassis are used in roadster bikes, each designed to meet different requirements. These chassis types include backbone chassis, single cradle chassis, double cradle chassis, perimeter chassis, trellis chassis and monocoque chassis.
Suspension
The suspension system of a bike determines the level of comfort and stability that the rider will have while riding. Suspension systems absorb the impact of bumps, jerks and other types of shocks due to contact with the road. Without a suspension system, the ride would be extremely uncomfortable and unpalatable.
Roadster bike suspension systems consist of two sections, the front and rear suspensions, one for each wheel. Typically, the front suspension is a telescopic fork with 2 spring loaded hydraulic tubes on each side of the front wheel. Meanwhile, the rear suspension is usually a swingarm system that protrudes from the back of the chassis and connects with the rear wheel.
Brakes
Brakes are the most important safety device on roadster bikes as they allow riders to prevent accidents and collisions by stopping the bike before anything happens. Due to this important function, brakes must always be in working order and regularly checked for defects.
The braking system of roadster bikes consists of 2 components- the brake levers and brake callipers. The levers are the triggers under the bike handle that the rider has to press to activate the brakes. The callipers are the clamps that push against the wheel to cause friction and stop it from rotating when the levers are triggered. The type of brake depends on the type of calliper the roadster bike uses, usually a disc brake or a rim brake.
Top Premium Roadster Bikes
Here are examples of premium roadster bikes that are available in India:
BMW G310R
This BMW roadster bike starts from Rs. 2.85 Lakh in India. It is powered by a 313 cc BS6 engine that produces 34 PS at 9,500 rpm and 28 Nm of torque. This bike has a reported mileage of 30 – 32.46 kmpl.
Yezdi Roadster
The Yezdi Roadster is a roadster bike with a price range of Rs. 2.03 Lakh – Rs. 2.15 Lakh in India. It is powered by a 334 cc BS6 engine that produces 29.23 bhp at 7,300 rpm and has a reported mileage of 28 – 32.16 kmpl.
Keeway K300 N
The Keeway K300 N is a roadster bike with a price range of Rs. 2.55 Lakh – Rs. 2.65 Lakh in India. It is powered by a 292 cc BS6 engine that produces 27 bhp at 8,750 rpm and has a reported mileage of 31.90 – 32.01 kmpl.
Conclusion
Roadster bikes are the perfect fusion between versatility and performance, offering comfortable and smooth rides on paved roads, perfect for daily commuters who need to ride regularly in urban areas. They provide riders with pleasant riding experiences, easy handling, good manoeuvrability during heavy traffic, and decent speed on open roads.
Since they are mainly designed for paved roads, they cannot be used on rough terrain, and with their smaller fuel capacity, they are not suited for long rides. They are best at what they were designed for, short commutes undertaken regularly on paved roads with heavy traffic.
