I am a first-time bike buyer looking for a retro-style motorcycle for my daily commute of around 30–35 km in Mumbai. I have considered the Yamaha XSR155 and Yamaha FZ-X Hybrid — are there any other options you would recommend? I am looking for a bike that is easy to maintain and service. I am 5'8" tall, so please suggest accordingly. I also have a small child, so comfort and practicality are important factors for me.

Autocar India

•6d

In the electric scooter segment, the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak models are hard to go wrong with, and no matter which one you choose, you're likely to end up with a safe purchase which will safely last you many years. Coming to issues with using the iQube during the monsoon, you're unlikely to have any - this is a scooter that has proven its mettle over the past 6 years that it has been on sale. The base 3.5 variant of the iQube in your shortlist, has a 650W charger as standard and it should be sufficiently quick for most daily needs. Its a similar story with the Bajaj Chetak. Any unfortunate battery issues you face will be covered under warranty and even so, these instances are few and far between, not widespread occurrences. The Chetak 3503 also has pretty quick charging times, with the Bajaj website stating a 3hr25min duration for a 0-80 percent top-up, which should be more than enough for your daily needs. Hero's Vida VX2 has come onto the scene relatively later but judging by the fact that these have started to become a fairly commonplace sighting on our roads, the market seems to have given it a good response. We'd recommend a visit to each scooter's authorized dealership and take thorough test rides to ensure you cover every aspect before you make your decision.

Autocar India

•6d

Since you have a comfortable budget, our recommendation would be the TVS iQube S 4.7 / ST 5.3 variants, because they have big batteries which should comfortably help you cover multiple days' worth of riding on a single charge. The iQube is a proven, no-nonsense product from a big, reputed brand and TVS also has a widespread service network among EV scooters, which will matter more than spec-sheet numbers and feel-good farkles when you’ll use it every day. While the iQube's performance won't blow you away, its comfort, practicality and stress-free nature are sure to compensate for that.If performance is your number one priority and you can live with less comfort, the Ather 450S/450X are exciting options. However, given your long daily commutes, do bear in mind, it will demand serious commitment day after day, especially over bad roads. If you must have an electric motorcycle form at this budget, the Revolt RV400 is the most settled option, but neither its performance nor its range are attributes to write home about. The e-bike space is still very nascent and our recommendation today is to buy an electric scooter over them.

Autocar India

•6d

Both the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and Ducati Multistrada V4 might be peers on paper, but the real-world story couldn't be more different. BMW's R 1300 GSA will give you better comfort, a more surefooted feel at faster speeds on longer tours and with its huge 30 litre tank, you'll have to stop less frequently for fuel. The downside with the big GSA is going to be its sheer size and heft, although judging from your test ride experience, you weren't really fazed by it. On the other hand, the Ducati Multistrada V4 will feel much closer to your Street Triple R in terms of its sheer performance and taut handling. The Multistrada V4 feels much closer to a supernaked in terms of its speed and performance, but that has its own drawbacks, primarily drastically lower fuel economy and a propensity to wear out the rear tyre quicker than usual, if you ride hamfistedly quite often. When it comes to maintenance costs, both these premium European ADVs are pretty much as expensive to maintain as any motorcycle can get, and you should be prepared for it. Coming to reliability, the Ducati Multistrada V4 has been out for longer and has really proven its mettle, even in punishing Indian conditions. The BMW R 1300 GS platform is still in its infancy, and super long-term reliability still remains unknown. However, since you plan to retain your Street Triple R for the foreseeable future, we'd recommend you choose the BMW because it provides a different experience, and its boxer engine is lovely to use and enjoy in Indian conditions. As good as the Multistrada V4 is, it will likely feel a little too similar to your sporty naked, and in the long term, you'd rather have two very different bikes than two rather similar ones. Happy hunting!