I am 58 years old and 5′5″ tall, and I have been riding motorcycles for the last 35 years, all of which were 100–125 cc. I want to continue riding just for the fun of it. Which bike should I select? I am looking for something in the 350 cc range.

autocar.india

•2d

While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision.

autocar.india

•2d

Between the two Pulsar models you have shortlisted, the N160 would be our pick. Not only does it have the more modern mechanical fundamentals, the better feature-set and will be more fuel efficient, but also it comes in multiple variants, which have a single-piece seat, which should address your concerns about travelling with a pillion. Since you mentioned you like the Honda CB350 but it wasn't fitting in your budget, take a look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Hunter is much more affordable than the CB350 but will give you similar comfort, performance and form factor. It is also a proven commodity, which means realistically, in the long-term, your ownership should be free of any unwelcome surprises. Take test rides of both the N160 and Hunter, and depending on your budget and preference, make your decision.

autocar.india

•4d

Moving up from a Pulsar 150, you should check out the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400, which will feel more substantial and comfortable, not to mention head and shoulders above when it comes to performance. Since your ride has a lot of highway stretches, a machine that can cruise comfortably at higher speeds while keeping you comfortable will be a good bet.If you want to look at the adventure bike space, consider the Hero Xpulse 210 and TVS Apache RTX 300. The Xpulse is lighter, which will make it easier to manage at slower speeds, and its smaller engine will also be more fuel efficient. On the other hand, the RTX has a more powerful engine capable of delivering more performance and its seating comfort is better than the Xpulse. Do bear in mind that both of these are tall bikes and will require some skill to manage if you're a shorter person.If, instead, you want a neo-retro machine, then consider proven options like the Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350. These are relaxed and comfortable machines with torquey engines, which will be suitable for long commutes. When ridden sensibly, they also return good fuel economy. These bikes are all very different from one another, and to accurately gauge which is the best one for you, take a test ride of all before you make your decision.