Mumbai

•33w

Hi Autocar, I currently own a KTM Duke 200 and want to upgrade to a sporty, reliable twin-cylinder machine. My budget is ₹7-8 lakh, and I have shortlisted the Ninja 500 so far. Is it worth its asking price, and what are my other options in this range? I have ruled out the Royal Enfield twins. Thanks!

•33w

The Kawasaki Ninja 500 - while priced very high for what it is - is a sweet, capable and in true Japanese fashion. It is a machine that is likely to be reliable and last you for years without giving significant issues, provided you maintain it correctly.

You could also take a look at the Yamaha R3, although most dealers we have spoken to in major metro cities have informed us that they don't have any stock, nor are they expecting a new shipment anytime soon.

Its best to speak to your nearest authorised Yamaha dealer and see what the situation in your area is like. The R3 is a rather simple machine with no frilly features. But it packs a potent engine and chassis, and it has also cemented its reputation for reliability in our market.

The Kawasaki Z650 and Ninja 650 are the only reliable big bike options below the 10 lakh rupee mark from a reputed make. Also, you'll have to considerably extend your budget for anything else. Should you be able to do so, bikes like the Suzuki GSX-8R and Honda CB750 Hornet will be the next stepping stones.

Try to take a test ride of these machines to see which one suits you best before you make a decision.

Explore bikes mentioned

Yamaha

Kawasaki

Ninja 500

from ₹6.91 Lakh

Kawasaki

Z650

from ₹8.71 Lakh

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Ninja 650

from ₹9.49 Lakh

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•1d

I’m 32, married, and based in Bengaluru. I currently own a 5-year-old Yamaha FZ25 that has completed only around 14,000 km. The bike has been extremely reliable overall, but it now needs some work which includes mainly new tyres, ABS repair and proper service. I am estimating around Rs. 20 -30,000 to bring it back to a really good condition. I am in a dilemma as I’ve wanted a Royal Enfield Himalayan for almost 10 years. I actually rode a Himalayan 411 for over 1,000 km on a trip and absolutely loved its riding position, suspension, engine character and the way it handled bad roads. It was one of those bikes I didn't want to return. The new Himalayan 440 has now been launched, and I’m getting a Bangalore on-road quote of around Rs. 2.98 lakh. I could put around Rs. 1 lakh down and finance roughly Rs. 2 lakh. The practical side says: keep the FZ25 by spending Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 on it and continue using it. I don't ride very much at the moment, and my wife isn't particularly interested in motorcycle trips. My options are either repair and keep the FZ25. Second option is to buy the Himalayan 440 and keep it for long term and last, wait another 1-2 years and decide later. I would love some brutally practical advice, especially considering the Rs. 3 lakh price and relatively low riding usage.

•11h

The very fact that you still want a RE Himalayan, despite not having ridden one in many years would suggest you have a deep yearning for the bike. More so, since your very words are,"It was one of those bikes I didn't want to return." Even though you don't ride a lot currently, the Himalayan 440 may well change that. From our experience with the Scram 440, we believe the Himalayan 440 will offer a step up in terms of refinement, reliability and features compared to the erstwhile 411. Take a test ride and if you like how the bike rides, go ahead and make your purchase.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 440

•14h

Hi, I have been riding TVS Jupiter since 2017 and my usage is around 20 km but now, when I took it for service, I came to know that the chassis of the bike has rusted and there are cracks in it. Since I am unable to find a spare, I want to change it. Should I go for electric or petrol scooter? If I choose the electric scooter, will the rusting problem still persist in the chassis. Please provide your valuable suggestion as I want to go for a budget scooter.

•11h

Since you stay in a coastal city like Chennai, its not uncommon to hear about rust causing structural integrity issues in the scooter's chassis. Given that your daily run is quite low, opting for an EV would be our recommendation only if you plan to keep it for a long time because that's the only way you'll be able to recoup the additional initial acquisition cost over an ICE scooter. In the EV space, our top picks are the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Konarc / Rizta, Vida VX2 and River Indie. Whereas in the ICE scooter segment, choose between the Honda Activa 110/125, Suzuki Access, Yamaha Fascino / RayZR and TVS Jupiter 110 /125. Ensure you take a test ride of all the models in whichever segment you are shopping in before you make your decision.

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Hello, I’m a new rider considering the Suzuki V-Strom SX for my daily commute, which is around 25 km each way. My route is a mix of highways and city roads, with some uneven, bumpy and pothole-ridden stretches. I’m looking for a bike that inspires confidence, offers good highway stability and comfort, and provides a good level of safety for a relatively inexperienced rider. Would the V-Strom SX be a suitable choice for these requirements, particularly in terms of comfort, stability and safety on a mixed daily commute?

•6h

The Suzuki V-Strom SX is surely a good option for your needs. It is light, has a peppy engine and comfortable ergonomics - factors that will give you confidence over mixed road conditions. You should also consider the Hero Motocorp Xpulse 210 because it will be vastly better at tackling bad roads than the V-Strom without sacrificing on-road behaviour too much. Take a test ride of both to help make an informed decision.

Suzuki V-Strom SX

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•2d

Hi Autocar Team, I'm planning to buy an electric scooter. My daily commute is around 50 km, and I often do 100+ km rides on weekends, including some highway usage. My shortlisted options include TVS iQube ST, Yamaha EC-06, and River Indie. Which would be the best choice considering real-world range, reliability, comfort, and long-term ownership?

•10h

We'd advise you to choose between the TVS iQube and River Indie because both are trustworthy, practical and comfortable EVs. While both will feel quite adept at tackling city roads, on the highway, the Indie will offer better stability owing to its larger 14-in wheels and fatter tyres. There's not much wrong with the Yamaha EC-06 (unsurprisingly, since it is effectively a dressed-up and pricier River Indie) but it costs quite a bit more than the River. You also have a substantially smaller boot and a very slow 450W charger on the Yamaha, both of which will make their presence felt in day-to-day scenarios. Take a test ride of the iQube and Indie and depending on which one you like more, make your decision.

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