In the past, we had done a detailed specifications comparison between the two. But here we plan to take it a bit further to answer the question: which one offers better value for money?

Yamaha XSR155

Price: 1,49,990 (introductory ex-showroom, Delhi)

The Yamaha XSR155 is the most affordable retro-roadster from the Japanese brand. Yamaha has gone for a classic design, with a bit of modern touches in many places (especially where it counts). The bike has a round LED headlight, a slim tank and a flat single-piece seat, all of which fits well with the retro design. The brand has taken inspiration from the higher capacity Yamaha XSR bikes when designing the baby XSR and it really makes the bike all the more special.

Powering this bike is a thoroughly modern 155cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder motor which produces 18.4PS and 14.2Nm. The engine is a high revving motor producing its peak power at the higher end of the rev range. It should offer an exciting riding experience in the twisties, where you can really make the engine scream - just like its faired sibling, the Yamaha R15.

It is built on a diamond-type frame, and is suspended on a telescopic fork and an inverted fork. There's no option to adjust the suspension tuning in this case, but that's not really a deal-breaker for its price. The bike rolls on 17-inch alloys at both ends with road-biased tyres. Braking setup consists of a 282mm front and 220mm rear disc brake with dual-channel ABS. At a kerb weight of 137kg, it's fairly light, and comes with a modest fuel tank capacity of 10.4 litres.

The XSR155 gets a single-pod instrument console with smartphone connectivity for call/SMS alerts. Other than this, the bike has no features to boast, but it's still okay as it manages to cover all the basics.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350 (Mid-Spec Variant)

Price: Rs 1,62,292 (ex-showroom)

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is the most affordable Royal Enfield bike in India. It is positioned as an entry-level roadster for those riders who are looking to get into lifestyle motorcycling that Royal Enfield is known for. For this comparison, we are considering the mid-spec variant which gets all the latest updates including revised suspension, and better seating comfort.

The Hunter 350 blends retro styling with a few modern funky elements. It gets a round headlight and teardrop-shaped tank, but the bright colours and stylish graphics adds a youthful vibe to the bike.

Powering the Hunter 350 is a 349cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder engine which produces 20.2PS and 27Nm. Unlike the frantic nature of the XSR, this one's all about chill riding. The engine is a long stroke motor so it produces most of its torque at the bottom end, so this should make for a more engaging city riding experience. Since it's counterbalanced, it's also refined enough for highway cruising.

The Hunter 350 is built on a dual-cradle frame. It gets a telescopic fork and twin shock absorbers, with 7-step preload adjustability. The bike rolls on 17-inch alloy wheels with road-biased tyres. Braking setup consists of a 300mm disc at the front and a 270mm disc at the rear with dual-channel ABS. The bike is towards the heavier side with a kerb weight of 181kg, and it gets a 13-litre fuel tank.

Royal Enfield has balanced the no-frills design with a fairly functional yet still minimalistic instrument console. This semi-digital unit comes with an analogue speedometer and digital inset for fuel level, time readouts. It also houses two tripmeters and an odometer. Riders also have the option for getting the Royal Enfield Tripper Navigation Module for turn-by-turn navigation.

Which One Is the Better Buy?

The Yamaha XSR155 is the more affordable one among the two, and for the price it offers a very well rounded package. It's got great performance, a decent set of features and the signature Yamaha retro looks. If you're a rider on a budget looking for a bike that can handle your daily commutes and also a bit of weekend fun, then the Yamaha XSR155 is a choice worth considering. Do note that the price is introductory, and may go up in the near future.

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is Rs 12,302 more expensive than the Yamaha XSR155, and that's a somewhat hefty premium. However, Royal Enfield offers a much better community experience to go with the bike, especially with curated rides and festivals in different parts of the country. The brand is not just selling a motorcycle, but also the idea of motorcycling as a lifestyle. It's a great bike for everyday commutes, and the occasional weekend fun, but will appeal to those who don't mind the relatively laidback performance when compared to the XSR.

All said and done, as far as pure value for money quotient is concerned, the XSR seems like a better deal as it is lighter, looks as cool as the Hunter, while also offering great performance.