Hello, This is going to be a long one. I am currently in the market for an ADV motorcycle under Rs. 3 lakh OTR. At the moment, my shortlist consists of the RTX 300, KTM Adventure 250, and Suzuki V-Strom SX 250. I am 185 cm tall, and most of that height seems to be concentrated in my legs. Consider me a stork with rather impoverished bodywork; some say that I could realistically reach Sri Lanka in a single stride. Anyway, I have ridden all three motorcycles and, to be honest, the more I ride them, the more perplexed I become. My priorities are reliability, maintenance costs, longevity, and decent fuel economy, with considerably less emphasis on outright off-road capability. I want a motorcycle that is rugged, dependable, and willing to take me wherever I wish to go without complaint. At present, my mind keeps returning to the V-Strom SX. It is road-friendly, reliable, comfortable, and appears to offer a largely hassle-free ownership experience. The problem is the price. In Kerala, the current OTR figure stretches to approximately Rs. 2.6 lakh, which I cannot help feeling is somewhat undeserved for what is, fundamentally, an ageing package. My concern regarding the RTX 300 is that it is an entirely new platform. Its long-term reliability, durability, and ownership experience remain largely unknown. The sensible part of my brain keeps suggesting that I wait for the second iteration, by which point most early issues should have become apparent and, hopefully, resolved. As for the KTM Adventure 250, I find it difficult to ignore the value proposition of its larger 390 siblings. The 250 is undoubtedly a capable machine, but I remain unconvinced that it represents the sweet spot within KTM's ADV range. Fortunately, I am not in a hurry and can afford to wait if necessary. I do not particularly mind the V-Strom's lack of modern features, nor the fact that its engine design has been around for what feels like several geological epochs. If anything, those characteristics are part of its appeal. What frustrates me slightly is Suzuki's apparent lack of commitment towards the platform and its future development. Given my priorities and use case, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts and recommendations.

autocar.india

•45m

We'd advise you to choose between the Honda SP160 and the Bajaj Pulsar N160. The SP160 is essentially a dressed-up and more feature-rich Unicorn, so you're getting a proven base to work with, and it should be well-suited to traffic-riddled commutes. It will be quite frugal and comfortable for two-up riding with its spacious single-piece seat.The Bajaj Pulsar N160 will be a step above the Honda in terms of performance, and it also balances fuel economy quite well. Its riding triangle is accommodating of larger riders like yourself, and its suspension is well-suited to dealing with bad roads. We'd recommend you go for one of the single-seat variants on offer because it will offer better seating comfort, especially when riding two-up. These bikes are quite similar, and to decide between them, take a test ride of both. The Yamaha FZ Hybrid offers you a nifty and quick-working start/stop system but its not worth its asking price. And on top of that, the FZ isn't as accomplished as its rivals from TVS, Bajaj and Honda so we'd recommend you decide between the SP160 and N160.

autocar.india

•1h

For your use case, we would recommend looking at the Honda CB350 models, Royal Enfield Bullet/Classic 350, and Triumph Speed T4. All of these 350cc machines set a high bar for comfort, but the Bullet and Classic will definitely have a small edge here. When it comes to fuel economy, the CB350s and Speed T4 will likely be more efficient than the heavier Royal Enfield bikes, although mileage varies greatly depending on a multitude of factors. Finally, when it comes to long-term peaceful ownership, it's likely that the Hondas will be the easiest to live with, although maintenance costs for all three will be pretty comparable.These three options are also very different in terms of their riding experience, and to accurately gauge which one will be best for you, we'd recommend a test ride of all before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•1h

Given your requirements, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X/XC is likely to be the best fit. Its upright and commanding riding position, smooth and tractable engine, and capable handling make it a true all-rounder, and it comfortably fits within your budget.If you want the look of an adventure bike or wish for more suspension travel, then options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure should be on your shortlist. These bikes are better at highway duties than the Scrambler (not by much, but it is a tangible difference), although they are also heavier than it.It also depends on what your usage pattern is like. If highway touring isn't playing a big role in your riding right now, and you are serious about getting into off-roading, then something lighter and friendlier like the Hero Xpulse 210 and Kawasaki KLX230/KLX230 S is the way to go.First, decide what you're going to be using your bike for and depending on that, take a test ride of the options specified above before you make your decision.