Autocar India

•2d

The XEV 9S is an electric car, while the Safari petrol is an ICE vehicle, and the two serve very different needs and requirements.The Mahindra XEV 9S has a strong electric powertrain that delivers an ultra smooth driving experience with very low running costs. It is easier to drive than the Safari and works better as a city vehicle. However, for long trips involving distances of over 400 km, you would need to rely on public charging, which isn’t always convenient.The Tata Safari petrol is also smooth to drive, but it is costlier to run and maintain. That said, it is more practical, offers much better third row seating, and gives you the flexibility of refuelling anywhere, making it the more stress free option for long journeys.

Tata Safari

Mahindra XEV 9S

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Autocar India

•10h

If you want wider tyres in the 125cc sporty commuter space, you'll have to go for one of the sporty-looking, feature-loaded options like the TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125R and Honda CB125 Hornet. All have at least single-channel ABS on the higher variants and tyres that are grippy enough to handle all sorts of road conditions you might encounter, both of which should help you stop in a controlled manner. You've mentioned that having a kick starter is a priority for you, and of the bikes listed above, only the Hero has it as standard. However, these bikes are thoroughly modern, and their electric starters will work in just about every situation you find yourself in. So we'd advise you not to restrict yourself and potentially miss out on a high-quality product because of an antiquated notion like that.

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Autocar India

•10h

Since you have mentioned you are looking for retro-styled, easygoing motorcycles with occasional two-up riding, here are your options. First and foremost, you should take a look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. With its low seat height and fairly manageable size, the Hunter will prove welcoming for a smaller person like yourself and will have decent comfort with two people onboard. For similar reasons, you should also consider the TVS Ronin. It is also a much lighter machine than the Hunter, which will give you confidence when riding the bike, especially with a pillion. If you want something with an even lower seat height, then bikes like the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and Goan Classic 350 are what you should be looking at. They have good suspension, but owing to their feet-forward riding position, a lot of the jolt gets transferred to your back over bad stretches of road. A test ride should help you decide which is the correct bike for you.

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