400 is the new 250! The sub-400cc segment seems to be the flavour of the season for motorcycle manufacturers in India, and it’s clear why riders are gravitating towards it. For many bikers moving up from their first 150–250cc machines, this class hits a sweet spot — enough power to feel genuinely fast, but still manageable, efficient and friendly on the wallet. You get bikes that can handle the weekday commute, feel alive on a Sunday breakfast ride, and even manage the occasional long-distance run without breaking a sweat. And with manufacturers now offering everything from punchy single-cylinders to even a screaming four-cylinder ‘Kwacker’, this segment is no longer just a stepping stone — it’s become a proper enthusiast playground. Here are the most powerful sub-400cc motorcycles you can buy in India today.
1.Kawasaki ZX-4R
The Kawasaki ZX-4R is the most powerful and also the costliest bike in this list (for good reasons, of course). It has a 399cc in-line four-cylinder engine, which produces 76bhp at a staggering 14000rpm and 39Nm at 13000rpm of torque. With ram air induction, the power figure rises to 79bhp! With its high-revving 399cc engine, sporty ergonomics and track-focused hardware, the ZX-4R delivers a riding experience that mimics full-blown supersports. Despite all that performance, it weighs just 175kg, which makes it the fastest sub-400cc motorcycle in India.
Kawasaki ZX-4R is priced at ₹9,40,000 lakh (ex-showroom)
2.KTM 390 Duke
Back in 2013, it was launched at just ₹1.80 lakh KTM 390 Duke is the bike which defines that for less money, you can get more performance, and the gen 3 continues to carry forward that Duke legacy. 399cc single-cylinder engine producing 45bhp at 8500rpm and 39Nm at 6500rpm, strong performance, wrapped in a lightweight chassis that makes it razor-sharp in the corners. With features like cruise control, ride-by-wire, multiple ride modes, a bi-directional quickshifter and a modern TFT display, the 390 Duke offers big-bike tech at a price that’s hard to ignore.
KTM 390 Duke is priced at ₹2,95,000 lakh (ex-showroom)
3.Husqvarna Svartpilen 401
The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 brings a unique character to the 400cc segment, one which we have never seen before. It shares the same 399cc single cylinder engine producing 45bhp and 39Nm of torque, with the Duke, and delivers the same punchy performance — quick acceleration and a lively mid-range, making it equally fun in the city and on open roads. Its lightweight trellis frame, upright ergonomics and scrambler-inspired styling give it a distinct identity, while features like a TFT display, ride-by-wire and quality suspension components add to its premium feel. The Svartpilen 401 stands out not just for its power, but for its bold, unconventional character.
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is priced at ₹2,97,741lakh (ex-showroom)
4.Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z
The Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is the most powerful Pulsar yet, and it is arguably the most VFM bike in this list. It is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder engine which produces 42bhp at 9000rpm and 35Nm of torque at 7500rpm. At ₹1.92 lakh, it offers a whole host of features including a TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity and turn-by-turn navigation, dual-channel ABS, a bi-directional quickshifter, slipper clutch, ride modes etc. Its strong performance, good looks and agile handling make it a complete package and a perfect choice for those who are looking for extremely good performance without breaking the bank.
Pulsar NS400Z is priced at ₹1,92,794 lakh (ex-showroom)
5.Triumph Thruxton 400
The Triumph Thruxton 400 is Triumph’s latest offering in the sub-400cc segment, and it brings the cafe-racer charm in this list. Thruxton 400 is powered by a 398cc single-cylinder engine which produces 41.4bhp at 9000rpm and 37.5Nm of torque at 7500rpm. The low clip-ons, sculpted tank and sporty rear-set footpegs create an authentic cafe-racer posture, while modern elements like ride-by-wire, a traction control system and a crisp digital display ensure it’s well-equipped for today’s roads. The Thruxton 400 blends retro style with modern performance, making it one of the most characterful machines in its class.
Triumph Thruxton 400 is priced at ₹2,74,137 lakh (ex-showroom)
6.Yamaha R3
The Yamaha R3 offers a straightforward package that focuses on pure, uncomplicated motorcycling. Its 321cc twin-cylinder engine produces 41bhp at 10750rpm and 29.5Nm of torque at 9000rpm. It delivers smooth, linear power, making it friendly for newer riders yet satisfying for experienced ones. It weighs just 169kg, which makes it one of the lightest motorcycles in this list. It may not boast aggressive electronics or flashy features, but the R3’s charm lies in its simplicity, refinement, and Yamaha’s proven reliability, making it a solid choice in the sub-400cc segment.
Yamaha R3 is priced at ₹3,39,028 lakh (ex-showroom)
7.Yamaha MT-03
The MT-03 follows the same ideology of the Yamaha R3, pure, uncomplicated motorcycling. It shares the same 321cc twin-cylinder engine which produces 41bhp at 10750rpm and 29.5Nm of torque at 9000rpm. It weighs just 167kg, which makes it the lightest motorcycle in this list. Its upright ergonomics, wide handlebar and lightweight chassis give it sharp, agile handling, while the minimalist styling and exposed frame add to its streetfighter attitude. The MT-03 may be simple in terms of features, but it excels at delivering a raw, engaging riding experience, just like its faired sibling.
Yamaha MT-03 is priced at ₹3,29,608 lakh (ex-showroom)
8.Triumph Speed 400
The Speed 400 delivers a modern classic roadster experience on a budget. It is powered by a 398cc single-cylinder engine, which produces 39.5bhp at 8000rpm and 37Nm torque at 6500rpm. It also packs rider aids like switchable traction control, dual-channel ABS, slipper clutch, which make it a simple but very good package.
Triumph Speed 400 is priced at ₹2,33,754 lakh (ex-showroom)
9.Triumph Scrambler 400X
Triumph Scrambler 400X offers scrambler aesthetics paired with a 398cc engine, the same as the Speed 400, which produces 39.5bhp at 8000rpm and 37Nm torque at 6500rpm. The Scrambler 400 is exceptionally flexible on city streets and light off-road paths alike. It offers rider aids like switchable traction control and ABS. Its upright stance provides a comfortable ride on the road as well as for short off-road trails. Oh, and there's also a slightly more off-road focussed variant available on it dubbed the XC, which boasts cross-spoke wheels, if that is something which you fancy.
Scrambler 400X is priced at ₹2,67,731 lakh (ex-showroom)
10.Bajaj Dominar 400
The Bajaj Dominar 400 is a bike which stands out from this list because it blends power with extremely good touring capability. It is powered by a 373cc single-cylinder engine producing 39bhp at 8800rpm and 35Nm of torque at 6500rpm. What sets it apart from this list is its extremely comfortable riding position, which allows riders to go for long-distance touring as well as short city rides with ease. It also has useful tech like riding modes and ABS modes, which makes it a very compelling package: performance, comfort, tech and real-world usability all in one bike.
Dominar 400 is priced at ₹2,39,176 lakh (ex-showroom)
Upcoming Bikes sub-400cc bikes that you should look out for:
2026 KTM RC 390
The KTM RC 390 will be launched with the same potent 399cc single-cylinder engine as the Duke 390, delivering impressive performance in a sporty package. Its aggressive design draws direct inspiration from the RC 8, featuring sharp lines, a race-style fairing and track-focused ergonomics to match its performance credentials.
2026 Yamaha R3
The 2026 Yamaha R3 has already been launched globally but there is no official confirmation from Yamaha that it will be launched in India yet we expect that it can be launched next year. 2026 Yamaha R3 gets updated design that draws inspiration from the R1 it gets updated tech and engine. 2026 Yamaha R3 could give some serious competition to its rivals if priced correctly.
