Autocar India
5w

I own a 2023 Interceptor 650, but I don't use it much because most of my rides are within the city. I go on long rides only once or twice a year. So, I am thinking of selling it and getting a 250-300cc motorcycle for my daily rides and occasional long trips. I am looking for something that is reliable and requires low maintenance. The Suzuki 250s - the naked and the V-Strom are on my mind. Please share your inputs. Thanks in advance!

Verified
5w

While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. 

Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. 

Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision. 

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

More posts on similar bikes

4d

Hi everyone, I am planning to buy my first car. I will be driving around 40km daily in the city, along with occasional highway trips of around 300 km to nearby cities. Some of these highway journeys will involve hilly areas, while the roads in smaller cities can have potholes and rough patches. I am looking for an automatic transmission, with a budget of around Rs 12–14 lakh. Good mileage, safety features and overall value for money are my main priorities. The options currently on my list are the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT, Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT, Kia Sonet HTK+ or HTK+ (O), and Hyundai Creta HX5 AT. However, I am mainly confused between the Brezza and the XUV 3XO and would appreciate some guidance on which one would be better suited to my requirements.

Verified
19h

Both are solid choices, but the Mahindra XUV 3XO AX5 AT is the better fit for your usage. Your daily 40 km city commute, combined with occasional 300 km highway runs through hilly terrain and rough roads, demands a car with a strong engine, good ride quality and a robust build. The 3XO’s turbo petrol engine offers noticeably better performance than the Maruti Suzuki Brezza ZXi AT, especially on inclines and overtakes, while the suspension is well-tuned for rough roads and potholes. It is also one of the most spacious compact SUVs, making it a comfortable family car. One drawback is that the boot is on the smaller side for this segment.The Brezza is the more sensible long-term ownership choice with Maruti’s service reach and reliability, but its naturally aspirated petrol engine feels underpowered on highways and hills. It makes up for it by offering better fuel efficiency than the 3XO, particularly in the city. The Kia Sonet HTK+ and Hyundai Creta HX5 are good alternatives, but the 3XO offers a better balance of performance, space and value for money.

VehicleMahindra XUV 3XO
VehicleMaruti Suzuki Brezza
VehicleHyundai Creta
VehicleKia Sonet

Popular discussions right now

Posted on: 8 Jul 2026