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Sharath KS

5w

Hi, I am confused between the Harley-Davidson X440, Honda CB350 and TVS Apache RTX 300. I am 40 years old, and my daily usage is around 30km. I want to start touring on a motorcycle, with rides of around 350km, and pillion comfort is important. I have mostly been riding an Ntorq scooter and consider myself a beginner since it has been a long time since I rode a bike. Please advise.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4w
Since you consider yourself a beginner, the TVS Apache RTX 300 may not be the best fit. It is a tall and top-heavy machine, which can rob newer riders of confidence. However, as a package, it is the most well-rounded machine of the three bikes you are considering, especially when it comes to touring with a pillion onboard.
The Honda CB350RS and Harley-Davidson X440 are neo-retro roadsters with torquey engines, upright ergonomics and decently plush suspension, which will make for a better fit for a newer, less experienced rider like yourself with their low seat heights and therefore, centre of gravity too. For similar reasons, the Royal Enfield Bullet and Classic 350 are also worth considering.  
We recommend you take a thorough test ride of everything you're considering with a pillion onboard before making a purchase.
Harley Davidson X440

Harley Davidson X440

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Latest questions people are discussing

SP

Suhas Phapale

6w

Hi! I am looking for a new bike. I want it to be city-friendly but also occasionally capable of touring and adventure rides. My weight is about 72 kg, and my height is 5'8". My budget is between ₹2-4 lakhs. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3h

Keeping your needs and budget in mind, you have a gaggle of options to choose from. If you want a neo-retro roadster, bikes like the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic / Hunter 350, TVS Ronin, and Honda CB350 trio will be our top picks. If you want something sporty, then bikes like the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and KTM 390 Duke will be options to consider. If you want to get an adventure bike, you have a great variety of options like the Hero Xpulse 210, TVS Apache RTX 300, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the KTM 390 Adventure models.Depending on the sort of bike you prefer and the riding experience you want, you can pick between these options. A test ride will help you decide.

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Royal Enfield Classic 350
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KG

Krushna Gavhane

5d

I want to purchase a new bike below ₹3.5 lakh. My back is very sensitive, and I am 5'11" tall. I would really love a bike that soaks up speed bumps and potholes well when travelling in the city or on uneven gravel roads. I tried the Royal Enfield Himalayan, but it is not suitable for traffic. I liked the Scrambler 400X and felt good on it (8/10) as it soaked up around 75-80% of the bumps. I could not ride the RTX 300 - is it better than the Scrambler 400X? Should I book it now since the waiting time is very long? Or is there any other bike that shines in this case?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Of the three bikes you've shortlisted, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X will be the best all-rounder and will also be very easy to ride inside city traffic with its tractable engine and short gearing. While the RTX 300 has slightly better suspension travel and composure, it is still a new product, and it would be advisable to wait some months before buying an all-new machine like this, so if there are any teething issues, they can be ironed out. If you are open to having a retro riding experience, then the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 are worth looking at. These are very comfortable machines, although their performance won't be anywhere close to as sprightly as the other bikes you're looking at. On the plus side, the Bullet/Classic are much more affordable to purchase. We'd recommend a test ride of the RE 350s before you make a decision.

Triumph Scrambler 400 X
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KU

Kushal

6h

Hey Autocar Team, I am looking to upgrade from an Elite i20 2016 variant - confused between going for the top variant of sub 4m or upgrading to the larger SUV, considering the Hyundai Venue HX10, the Kia Sonet GTX Plus or upgrading to the new Kia Seltos HTX variant - the cost difference is ~4 lakhs, primarily city driving in Mumbai and monthly long trips along with family.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
33m

It’s a confusion many people face, and understandably so. If you go purely by the brochure and think with your head rather than your heart, compact SUVs do offer strong value for money, but there are a few key differences to keep in mind.Since you haven’t specified the engine option, let’s assume you are looking at petrol variants. In that case, there is a noticeable difference in the driving experience. Compact SUVs like the Kia Sonet and Hyundai Venue use a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine paired with a 7-speed DCT. While this setup offers good punch, it doesn’t feel as smooth, refined or effortless as the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated or 1.5-turbo petrol engines offered in the Kia Seltos.If you are considering a diesel, the experience is largely similar across these cars, as they all use the same 1.5-litre turbo diesel engine, paired with either a manual or a 6-speed automatic.There are other areas where the Seltos feels like a clear step up in terms of space, comfort and interior quality. If a larger, more refined petrol engine, better cabin space and superior comfort matter to you, it makes sense to spend the extra money on the Seltos.However, if you prefer to save that money and go with a compact SUV, then between the Sonet and the Venue, we would suggest the Hyundai Venue, as it is the newer car, offers better rear seat space, and packs in more features.

VehicleHyundai Venue
VehicleKia Seltos
VehicleKia Sonet

Posted on: 13 Jan 2026