Hi Autocar India Team, I’m upgrading from an XPulse 200 and planning to buy a 400cc ADV bike in the next 1–2 months. I am confused between the KTM Adventure 390 and the upcoming BMW F 450 GS. Is it worth waiting for the BMW, or is the KTM the smarter choice right now? Regards, Prasad Shetty.

autocar.india

•3h

You have a lot of varying options within your budget, so pick based on your preferences after a comprehensive test ride of each option. The Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet / Hunter 350 are good options to consider in the neo-retro space with their comfortable seats, plush suspension and neutral ergonomics. Their engines aren't the most powerful, but they have good torque and make for an effortless riding experience.If you want a more off-road capable machine, then the Hero Xpulse 210 is a great option to consider. The Xpulse is a tall machine, but it is quite light and will have the best comfort over bad roads of all the bikes mentioned. If you decide you want a straightforward commuter with a little more pep than your Pulsar 180, then the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N250 are good picks. They will feel similar to your 180 in their seating but will be a step up in terms of comfort, performance, refinement and features. As we said above, these bikes are very different from each other, and the best way to decide between them is through a comprehensive test ride.

autocar.india

•1d

While both the Harley-Davidson X440T and Honda CB350 H'ness have similiar engine architectures and cylinder counts, their riding experience is quite different. The CB350 is a textbook neo-retro roadster and its smaller engine will offer you better fuel economy but at the expense of outright performance. Its gearing is also quite tall which means you will have to make more frequent gear changes to keep the motor in its sweet spot. On the other hand, the H-D X440 T is quite a step up in terms of outright performance owing to its larger 440cc motor and it will definitely have better performance. It will return lower fuel economy but that's to be expected. Choose between the two based on your budget, brand preference and after taking a test ride of both to make an informed decision.

autocar.india

•1d

The Honda Unicorn and SP160 are platform-engineered siblings with very similar mechanicals, so ride comfort on both should be very similar, if not identical. If you found the Unicorn comfortable, you will find that the SP160 is similarly comfortable and picking between the two will boil down to which bike's look and features you prefer. The Honda SP160 has a rear disc brake, a TFT display and sharper styling, so if you don't want the plain Jane looks of the Unicorn, its sibling makes sense. Honestly, both Honda bikes are no-nonsense and reliable, so whichever one you choose, you're ultimately making a safe decision.