Autocar India
40w

I need a new bike (on-road under ₹1 lakh) after exchanging my old bike - Hero’s online exchange values it at around ₹60-70k. My main requirement is daily commuting (~20 km/day), but it must handle bad roads and occasional long rides. I want to buy from Hero MotoCorp only. Which model should I choose?

Verified
40w

From the Hero portfolio, we would recommend any of their 100cc commuters like the Splendor, Passion and HF models. If you can fit the Super Splendor or Glamour 125 models in your budget, then those are worthwhile too. All are simple, frugal and hardy machines which should likely last you a long time with minimal maintenance.

Super Splendor

Super Splendor

2w

Go for Super Splendor because

More posts on similar bikes

1w

Hello, I have been riding a 125cc bike for quite a long time now, and I’m looking to upgrade to a better-looking bike with good performance. I’m quite emotionally attached to my vehicles and take very good care of them, so I’m looking for something that I can enjoy and keep for a long time. Most of my riding is within Pune city traffic, but I would also like to start exploring longer rides and weekend trips, which I haven’t really done so far. I’m not very familiar with all the good options currently available in the market. I have looked at the Harley-Davidson X440 and a couple of options from Triumph, but I’m still not sure what would suit me best. One more thing I’m confused about is whether I should go for a petrol bike or consider an EV two-wheeler. With the increasing concerns around E20 fuel and its long-term impact on some higher-capacity bikes, I’m wondering if an EV would make more sense for my usage, especially considering that most of my riding is in city traffic. I would really appreciate your guidance in selecting the right bike based on my riding requirements, preferences and long-term ownership perspective.

Verified
1d

Electric motorcycles do make sense for daily predictable city commutes with a fixed distance and secure charging. There's no hassle of changing gears and modulating the clutch, and your running costs are also pleasingly low. However, it seems like you want to venture out farther from your home in Pune, in which case a petrol motorcycle is the more enjoyable choice. The Harley-Davidson X440 is a wonderful machine because it is one of the last authentic, air-cooled, long-stroke, single-cylinder experiences available today, and since you are looking to buy a machine that you can build a cherished bond with over time, it has the right ingredients to make that happen. Stepping up from a 125cc machine, you will also appreciate the step up in performance and comfort it has to offer you. From the Triumph stable, we'd recommend you take a good, long look at the 350cc Scrambler 400 models because they are great city machines that can also prove to be good fun on the highway and when the road turns squiggly. If you want a properly sporty riding experience, then the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 are good options to consider, and these will be - by far - the fastest and sharpest machines from the ones listed here.Make sure to take exhaustive test rides of all machines before you make your decision.

Harley Davidson X440
KTM 390 Duke
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

Popular discussions right now

1w

I am looking for a car that I can keep for the long term, around 8–10 years, with a budget of under Rs 15 lakh on-road in Bangalore. I would prefer an automatic with an SUV stance. My usage will mainly be a 15 km daily office commute, along with occasional highway trips. I am looking for something that looks modern, has enough space, and offers good after-sales service. A few options I have shortlisted are the Hyundai Venue/Sonet with DCT and the Renault Kiger with CVT. My main concern is whether DCTs are reliable for long-term ownership if they are regularly serviced, especially with bumper-to-bumper traffic 2–3 times a week.

Verified
2d

Given the budget, usage and long-term ownership focus, we would recommend the Renault Kiger CVT over the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet DCT. A daily 15 km office commute with frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic, along with occasional highway trips, is better suited to a CVT than a DCT. CVTs are smoother at low speeds and work well in stop-start traffic. They can also be less demanding in such conditions over the long term.DCTs can be reliable when maintained properly, but they are not the ideal choice for regular stop-start traffic. Repeated low-speed crawling can generate heat and accelerate clutch-pack wear, potentially leading to expensive repairs over time.The Kiger also offers a modern design, a spacious cabin and a good feature set for its price. Renault's after-sales service has improved in recent years, while the Kiger offers strong value for money in this segment. The budget also stretches further with the Kiger CVT, allowing a higher-spec variant with some money left over. In comparison, the Sonet and Venue are positioned slightly higher, so the same budget would typically mean settling for a mid-spec variant.

VehicleRenault Kiger
VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Sonet

Posted on: 11 Nov 2025