I currently ride a 2017 Honda CB Hornet 160R Special Edition and often face gear shifting issues while downshifting in traffic that remain unresolved. I want to upgrade my bike with a budget of around ₹2 lakhs on-road in Delhi. My daily run is about 50 km with a highway and city mix, and I want mileage of 40 km/l or more. I prefer bikes with a muscular, bulky tank and overall bulky appearance. I have shortlisted the MT-15, NX200, Hornet 2.0, Hunter, and Ronin. Kindly suggest.

autocar.india

•2d

For your location and usage, we'd recommend choosing between the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350 models. The Hunter is more affordable, more compact and quite comfortable. It is also a very popular bike which sells by the bucketload every month and given how many are on the road today, you're likely to have a pleasant ownership experience without teething troubles.Meanwhile, the Honda CB350 models are larger machines in terms of their bodywork and spacious ergonomics but are almost on par with the Hunter when it comes to weight. The H'ness and RS, in particular, also have a more standout design and if you want a bike that's not very common, one of these is a good buy. Finally, the 350cc Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is a completely different ballgame to these air-cooled 350s and will offer much superior performance and handling but will be a little compromised on the comfort front in comparison. To make an informed decision, take a test ride of all three before you go ahead with your purchase.

autocar.india

•3d

If you can sort out secure charging at your residence, then going for a proven electric scooter like the TVS iQube, Ather Rizta, Bajaj Chetak, or Vida VX2 would be our recommendation. For daily use, an e-scooter will be more practical and also save you money with its lower running costs. While the Yamaha MT-15 will surely be more fun and engaging to ride, it won't be able to match the practicality or low running costs of an EV. If you can't go for an EV, but want something more affordable than your MT, then look at 160cc commuters like TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Bajaj Pulsar N160 and Honda Unicorn / SP160. Take a test ride of these products before you make your decision, depending on what category you're shopping in.

autocar.india

•3d

If your running is low and your Bajaj Pulsar RS200 is otherwise in good condition, there is no compelling reason to replace it. As for fuel, switching to the much more expensive XP100 is not worth it. The RS200 is not a high-compression performance engine that would benefit from 100-octane fuel, and you will not see any meaningful improvement in performance or efficiency. The lower mileage you are seeing on E20 fuel is expected, as ethanol blends generally reduce fuel economy. The best approach is to continue using the RS200, maintain it well, and accept the slightly lower mileage as a normal consequence of E20 fuel. There is no need to spend extra on premium fuel or a new bike unless you have a specific reason to upgrade.