Autocar India
27w

I am 63 years old and overweight. I love riding solo. I have a Honda H’ness CB 350, purchased in August 2023. I love this bike and have ridden extensively in Sikkim. One of my longest solo rides was from Mangan (North Sikkim) to Kharar, Punjab, via Delhi, covering about 2,000 km. I now want to upgrade to a more powerful bike, though at times the Honda H’ness feels adequate. This upgrade is for some of my future planned rides. My priorities are: 1. Medium weight 2. Sufficient power on demand for overtaking (the Honda H’ness lacks here) 3. Easy customisation for solo touring and availability of touring accessories (a drawback of the Honda H’ness) 4. Larger petrol tank (the 15-litre tank on the Honda H’ness is a big plus) 5. Good RSA (Roadside Assistance) network and a strong service network (Honda’s RSA has been good, but BigWing service centres are sparse).Request suggestions based on the above.

Verified
26w
The two options we would recommend you consider are the KTM 390 Adventure X and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Both have an extensive service network across the country and have aftermarket accessories galore available from both OEM and third-party providers. Plus, with their powerful, liquid-cooled engines, they will deliver more performance than your Honda CB350 H’ness, which will be helpful on your long tours.
Do bear in mind that the Himalayan weighs more than the 390 Adventure X, and its size may be a dealbreaker if you are a shorter or less confident rider. We'd urge you to take a test ride of both and see which one fits your needs better.
Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield Himalayan

More questions on similar bikes

6d

Hi Autocar Expert Team, I am 43 years old and commute around 60 km every day. Approximately 90% of my journey is on highways, with the remaining 10% on city roads. During my highway commute, I have to cross three bridges with expansion joints, which make the ride quite uncomfortable. I also suffer from sciatica-related back pain, so ride comfort and good suspension are my top priorities. I currently commute by car, but frequent traffic congestion significantly increases my travel time. As a result, I am planning to switch to a motorcycle for my daily commute. My budget is between Rs 2-4 lakh. Engine capacity is not a major concern, and I am open to motorcycles ranging from 150 cc to 450 cc. Based on my daily riding conditions, comfort requirements, and back condition, could you please recommend the most suitable motorcycle? I am particularly looking for a bike with the best suspension and ride comfort over bridge joints and uneven roads, a comfortable seat and relaxed riding ergonomics that are suitable for someone with sciatica, remains stable and composed at highway cruising speeds, and is reliable, easy to maintain, and offers a good long-term ownership experience.

Verified
1d

Since your commute is quite long and comfort is your top priority, the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are both worth considering. The choice between the two depends largely on your typical highway cruising speeds.Both bikes offer an upright, neutral riding position that is well-suited to long hours in the saddle. They also have comfortable seats (the Himalayan 450 has the upper hand here).The Himalayan 450 offers stronger highway performance. However, it is noticeably heavier. If you want a lighter motorcycle that is easier to manage in daily use, the Xpulse 210 is the more approachable option.Take a test ride of both motorcycles before making a decision, as that will give the clearest indication of which one feels more comfortable for your riding needs.

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210
Royal Enfield Himalayan
2w

Hi, I live in Bangalore and am looking to buy a new motorcycle under 3 lakh (on-road) and would really appreciate your suggestions. I am planning to primarily use this bike for daily commuting, weekend rides, and occasional long-distance touring or adventure trips. My wife and I are both around 5'10" tall, and pillion comfort is a high priority. Since I occasionally experience back pain, a comfortable riding posture and good suspension are very important. Also, good mileage is another major deciding factor. I'm looking for a bike that offers a good balance of comfort (for both rider and pillion), reliability, fuel economy, touring capability and ability to handle occasional bad roads or light adventure riding. I'm open to any brand and would love to hear your recommendations based on personal experience. If you've owned or ridden any bike that fits these requirements, please share your thoughts, along with any pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

Verified
1d

From what you've described, it seems like the TVS Apache RTX 300 would be a good fit for your needs. The RTX is spacious, comfortable, loaded with features and has decent performance and fuel economy too. The downside here is that RTX waiting periods are on the higher side and since this is still a fairly new product, you may experience teething issues. Fully loaded with luggage and a pillion, its performance will also be quite modest. If you are open to extending your budget to account for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, we would strongly suggest you go down that route. The Himalayan has excellent suspension, gutsy performance and is a proven commodity today. The only real downside is it's heft and size but since you and your partner both are on the taller side, chances are, you should be able to make your peace with it or even welcome the added space on offer. Take rest rides of both machines and see which one you guys lean towards more.

TVS Apache RTX
Royal Enfield Himalayan
1w

Hi Autocar team, I am a mechanical enginer as well as car and bike enthusiast for last 3 decades. I have been following Autocar for many years. I currently drive XUV 500 & Ford Ecosport. In the past, I owned Yamaha FZ150 & FZ 250 as weekend bikes and I liked them. Now, I am planning to upgrade to a 350cc bike for city use in a budget of 2-2.5 lakh. I am 5'6" and 53 years old. I am looking for a powerful, bike with comfortable suspension for fun to drive city biking experience. I have no highway usage and I am not a fan of heavy bikes (less than 180kg is suitable for me). I am seeking value for money bike but dont mind paying a bit of premium for a bike with superior fun to drive biking experience. It should be reliable since I plan to keep it for 7-10 years. I have taken the test drive of RE Hunter 350 and liked it. Triumph does not have a showroom/service centre in my tier 2 city (Bhopal, MP) in central India (feeling bad to skip T4). I am evaluating Honda CB 350 models (tall gear and has less torque) and NS400Z (40PS at value) also. I have heard about Hero Xpulse/ Xtreme250 availability and reliability issues. Are there any other options and what are your recommendation?

Verified
5d

For your location and usage, we'd recommend choosing between the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350 models. The Hunter is more affordable, more compact and quite comfortable. It is also a very popular bike which sells by the bucketload every month and given how many are on the road today, you're likely to have a pleasant ownership experience without teething troubles.Meanwhile, the Honda CB350 models are larger machines in terms of their bodywork and spacious ergonomics but are almost on par with the Hunter when it comes to weight. The H'ness and RS, in particular, also have a more standout design and if you want a bike that's not very common, one of these is a good buy. Finally, the 350cc Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is a completely different ballgame to these air-cooled 350s and will offer much superior performance and handling but will be a little compromised on the comfort front in comparison. To make an informed decision, take a test ride of all three before you go ahead with your purchase.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Honda Bikes CB350
Honda Bikes CB350 H'ness
Honda Bikes CB350RS

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Posted on: 20 Jan 2026