I’m looking to buy a bike for my daily commute in Bangalore traffic, covering roughly 80 km. I have tried RE bikes such as the Classic 350, Bullet 350, Himalayan 450, and Guerrilla 450. I liked the Himalayan 450 because I can glide through potholes and bumps thanks to its great suspension, but I did notice engine heat after riding for about 5 km in traffic compared to the Bullet 350 and Classic 350. I found the Bullet 350 to offer a more relaxed riding position and better comfort. Do you suggest any other bikes?

Autocar India

•4d

Depending on your riding style, there are multiple different options to choose from in the segment you're looking at. If you're looking for a quick and sporty machine, then the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 make good sense because they have energetic performance as well as good comfort (the KTM bike will be a little less comfy than the Triumph bike in this one regard, but will have more performance). On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you prefer to ride in an unhurried fashion, then look no further than the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350, Honda CB350 models and Triumph Speed T4. These bikes have great comfort and should also be reliable in the long run.If you want something that prioritizes comfort and utility over all else, then an adventure bike is the way to go. You have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and KTM 390 Adventure models (with both 350cc and 399cc motors, depending on your needs and budgetary restrictions) in this class. In our opinion, as an all-rounder, nothing can match the versatility of the Himalayan and if you're comfortable with its size, this is definitely an option worth considering. As always, first decide what form factor appeals to you the most and will suit your usage best and then accordingly take test rides based on that before making your decision.

Autocar India

•45m

Wooden brakes are commonplace on most Japanese machines despite the bike having good braking hardware. In the CB300R's case, a radial Nissin caliper and a petal disc paired with an axially-mounted Nissin master cylinder are on stopping duty - in theory, this should be more than enough to bring the petite 146kg CB to a halt quickly and reassuringly. Since you mentioned that your brake feel is quite dead and wooden, the first area you should look at are brake pads. If your current pads are worn out, we'd advise switching to some sintered ones from reputed manufacturers like SBS, EBC, Vesrah or Galfer. While you're at it, a flush and refill of the brake fluid should also be carried out and these two alone should solve your problem. Upgrading your rubber brake hose to a steel braided one will be a worthwhile and inexpensive upgrade especially if you plan to keep your bike long-term. In case your bike has clocked over 25,000-30,000km, then inspecting the brake disc thickness and replacing it with an OEM one should also be on your to-do list.

Autocar India

•4d

For the best ride comfort, we'd recommend you choose between the TVS Jupiter 110 /125 and Suzuki Access models. Both have very good seating and suspension comfort but the Jupiter's larger 12-in rear wheel helps it round off bigger bumps a little better than the Access. The Jupiter's rear monoshock also has a handy winged preload adjuster which makes tailoring the suspension easier depending on the load you're carrying. The Access' upside is, that its seating position is more spacious and will serve taller riders better and its suspension composure is on par with the TVS. Take a test ride of both scooters to see which one suits you better and then make your decision.

Autocar India

•4d

Since you have a rather long daily commute and don't want to go for a neo-retro machine, an adventure bike makes good sense. Your previously shortlisted - but no longer available - options indicate that you were looking to get something in the 250-300cc space. In that vein, we'd recommend you look at the TVS Apache RTX 300. The RTX is a comfortable, quick and feature-laden machine which will also return decent fuel economy if ridden sensibly. In a similiar vein, you should also look at the KTM 250 Adventure and the base 390 Adventure (350cc) models, depending on your usage and budget. A test ride of these options will help you narrow down which bike is best for you.

Autocar India

•4d

In your budget, we'd suggest considering either the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V or Bajaj Pulsar N160 for your use case. Both bikes have refined, punchy engines, good seating and suspension comfort and will also return good fuel economy when you ride sensibly. One point to bear in mind is that if you're a taller person, the Apache's seat-to-footpeg distance can feel a little cramped, in which case opting for the more spacious Pulsar will be our recommendation. If the sporty look of these two doesn't appeal to you and you want a simpler, more affordable machine then the Honda Unicorn is a tried and trusted option that's very hard to go wrong with. We'd recommend taking a test ride of all three before you make your decision to understand each one's strengths and weaknesses.

Autocar India

•5d

Within your budget, depending on the type of bike you prefer, the Hero Xpulse 210, TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Bajaj Pulsar N250 and TVS Apache RTR 200 4V are good options to consider. If you want a good all-rounder street naked, then the Apache and Pulsar are the way to go. Expect good fuel efficiency and and handling but the pillion comfort will only be good for short distances. If you'd like a neo-retro machine, the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and base variants of the Bullet 350 (with a rear drum brake and single-channel ABS) are available within your budget. Pillion comfort will be best on the Ronin and Bullet, and all three will happily go touring as long as you stay below 100kph. These bikes will be fun to ride but in a different way than a sporty machine, if that's your cup of tea, then you should proceed with these. Last but not least, the Xpulse 210 is a wonderful do-it-all motorcycle on a tight budget; although if you are of short stature, its tall seat will be something to consider. Take a test ride of all these machines before you make up your mind. And before you do that, evaluate which sort of bike is best suited for you.