Autocar India
4w

I own a Hunter 350 Dapper White for over two years. Lately, the suspension has started to bother me, and I am considering upgrading to an adventure bike. Which model would you recommend within a budget of Rs. 7 lakh? If there is an upcoming motorcycle that is worth waiting for, I am also considering upgrading the suspension on my Hunter 350 in the meantime. I was particularly interested in the Honda NX500, but the latest version seems significantly more expensive. What would you suggest?

Verified
4w

Since you're innately familiar with Royal Enfield ownership, upgrading to the Himalayan 450 seems like a safe bet. The Himalayan's suspension can iron out pretty much any road imperfection you encounter and its performance will be a big step up over the Hunter you own too. The only caveat with going for the Himalayan is that it is a tall and heavy bike, and these attributes will make their presence felt at slower speeds inside the city. 

If you want slightly higher performance levels on a lighter machine, then the KTM 390 Adventure models (whether you opt for 350cc or 399cc iterations is up to the budget you have) are worth considering. The KTM bikes have great handling, punchy top-end performance and come with features like adjustable suspension, traction control and a bidirectional quick shifter - depending on the variant. 

In your Rs. 7 lakh budget, you can also get the BMW F 450 GS, although depending on your city's taxation structure, you may need to stretch your budget a little if you are eyeing the top Trophy variant. The new entry-level GS is a competent machine and will be a step up in refinement from the single-cylinder machines mentioned above and it is also lighter than them. You will, however, need to be prepared for higher running and maintenance costs expected of a machine wearing the BMW badge. 

Take test rides of these machines to decide which one works best for you before you make your next purchase. 

If none of these options seem enticing, you could also retrofit the latest-gen Hunter's suspension to your older model which will bring some much needed relief in terms of ride quality. Do bear in mind that this swap will likely void your warranty and we'd recommend reaching out to your nearest dealership for more clarity on the same.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield Himalayan

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3w

For 7 lacs budget the f450gs is a very promising offering given what kinda bike ur getting that too from a premium brand....and for most users the exclusive variant is the sweet spot as its a very versatile bike both on highways and in city and within ur budget... the trophy variant is for very serious adv riders i believe... but do keep in mind the after sales and service prices is also of the level of a premium brand and on higher side... if that is something u can live with then I shall say go for it...

More questions on similar bikes

3d

I am 40 years old, 5'2 " in height, and I weigh 70 kg. I own a Fascino, riding for the last 8 years. I am now looking for a lifestyle motorcycle within a 3L INR budget. I have not ride a geared motorcycle ever. However, I do understand how it works since I have been driving manual cars for the last 15+ years. The usual commute is 100% within the city and within a 10 km radius with my daughter. I did try Hunter 350 for a 100-meter ride and liked it. Moderate fuel economy and ease of maintenance are my priorities, along with riding comfort.

Verified
1h

Since you've mentioned your usage is quite low, and you liked the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 on your test ride, you should strongly consider it. The Hunter's low seat height and manageable weight will make it easy to use in city conditions, and it is a comfortable, reliable and fuss-free machine. If you ride sensibly, you will also see decent fuel economy, and the latest-gen Hunter has very pliant suspension, ensuring a comfortable ride over bad roads. Another option we'd recommend - and this is purely because you've mentioned this will be a "lifestyle purchase" - is the Goan Classic 350. The Goan attracts glances like nothing else at this price point, owing to its unique design and striking colours, and since it is based on a tried and tested platform, realistically, there should be no surprises in your prospective ownership. The one downside here is that the Goan is not as comfortable as the Hunter, mainly owing to its seating position.Take a test ride of the Goan to see if you resonate with the experience it has to offer before you make your decision.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

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Posted on: 9 Jun 2026