Autocar India
Introducing Badges

Every helpful action can earn a badge.

•38w

I'm 6ft tall and have been riding FZ-S and RE Classic 350 for 13 years. I'm thinking about getting an ADV, and I've narrowed it down to the Hero Xpulse 210 (Top), Honda NX 200, and TVS RTS 300 (Top). I'm looking for a comfy ride, good mileage, and decent service. I commute 30-40 km daily and plan one long trip of about 700 km a year. Which bike should I pick, or suggest a bike apart from the one listed? Thank you!

Verified
•37w
Between the three bikes you have shortlisted, the Honda NX200 is the least ADV-like because it is essentially a dressed-up Hornet 2.0 street bike, and its engine will feel quite strained at fast highway speeds.
Of the other two - Hero Xpulse 210 and TVS Apache RTX 300 - the Xpulse will feel lighter and easier to manage in the city while also returning better fuel economy on account of its smaller engine. Meanwhile, the Apache will feel better on the highway with its larger engine, and its handling will feel more sporty with its fat tyres and smaller 19-inch front wheel. A test ride will help you choose which is the right bike for you.
Do bear in mind that both the Xpulse and Apache RTX are fairly new products, and their long-term reliability remains a question mark.
Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210

More posts on similar bikes

Has E20 fuel affected your mileage?

Expert reviews worth reading

Is ADAS worth paying extra for in a car?

Popular discussions right now

•5d

I'm planning to purchase my first motorcycle and have narrowed down my options to the Bajaj Pulsar N160 SS and Dominar 250. My primary usage will be short daily commutes of approximately 5-6 km one way in Hyderabad's traffic (around 12km two way), with occasional longer rides. I'm a relatively new rider, so low-speed usability, manoeuvrability and ease of handling matter to me. The N160 SS appeals to me because of its lighter weight, Crawl Tech, TFT and city-friendly characteristics. However, the Dominar 400 has been my dream motorcycle for the past ten years, ever since it was launched in India while I was still in school. While the Dominar 400 remains my dream bike, the Dominar 250 seems like a reasonable compromise for my primarily urban use, offering some of that Dominar experience without going straight for the 400. I've ridden the Dominar 400 and found it surprisingly manageable and planted, but I haven't been able to test-ride the Dominar 250 because dealerships don't have test-ride units. I've also heard that the Dominar 250 lacks low-end urgency, requires frequent gear changes in slow traffic and is relatively heavy for city use. On the other hand, my uncle, who has owned a Dominar 400 for years and uses it in Hyderabad, has suggested that the Dominar 250 could be a reasonable choice for my requirements. The Dominar 250 is currently quoted at approximately Rs. 2.42 lakh (on-road), compared with around Rs. 1.86-1.94 lakh for the N160 SS. Given my usage, beginner experience and long-standing desire to own a Dominar, would you recommend the N160 SS as the more sensible long-term choice, or is the Dominar 250 a motorcycle that I could realistically grow into and enjoy despite its compromises? I would particularly appreciate your thoughts on low-speed tractability, bumper-to-bumper traffic, manoeuvrability for a beginner, and whether the Dominar's additional weight and cost are justified for someone whose riding will primarily be urban.

Verified
•4d

There's no doubt that the Bajaj Dominar 250 will fit the bill well for your needs as a first-time motorcyclist. However, what stops us from recommending it wholeheartedly is that the smaller Dominar sells in extremely microscopic numbers which means sometimes you'll be waiting a long time for a small part, leaving your bike out of action which is never a good thing. Truth be told, the Dominar 400 (especially since it is now powered by a downsized 349cc motor) is a perfectly acceptable first bike and since you have had an inclination towards the Dominar for a long time, why not go ahead and scratch and that itch! The only caveat here would be that the Dominar is a hefty machine, weighing 190kg, which can catch you off-guard at slow-speed scenarios but in time, you'll get used to it. On the other hand, if you don't want to deal with the extra weight and purchasing cost of the Dominar 400, then the Pulsar N160 SS is a very different but nonetheless, a great option for a beginner. It has a peppy engine, predictable handling, good comfort and comes with all the latest gizmos and gadgets that people these days want their two-wheelers to be festooned with. Not to mention, it will also be far more fuel efficient than the Dominar. These are 2 very different bikes which will give you starly different experiences so its best you take a test ride and see which one you're leaning towards more before you make your decision.

Bajaj Dominar 250
Bajaj Dominar 400
Bajaj Pulsar N160

Upcoming launch buzz

Community discussions on upcoming launches

Posted on: 24 Jan 2026