Hello, I have been riding a 125cc bike for quite a long time now, and I’m looking to upgrade to a better-looking bike with good performance. I’m quite emotionally attached to my vehicles and take very good care of them, so I’m looking for something that I can enjoy and keep for a long time. Most of my riding is within Pune city traffic, but I would also like to start exploring longer rides and weekend trips, which I haven’t really done so far. I’m not very familiar with all the good options currently available in the market. I have looked at the Harley-Davidson X440 and a couple of options from Triumph, but I’m still not sure what would suit me best. One more thing I’m confused about is whether I should go for a petrol bike or consider an EV two-wheeler. With the increasing concerns around E20 fuel and its long-term impact on some higher-capacity bikes, I’m wondering if an EV would make more sense for my usage, especially considering that most of my riding is in city traffic. I would really appreciate your guidance in selecting the right bike based on my riding requirements, preferences and long-term ownership perspective.

autocar.india

•11h

The BMW F 450 GS is the only twin-cylinder adventure motorcycle that fits in your budget, while the Honda NX500 E-Clutch is another option you can check out. That said, both these motorcycles are not a significant upgrade over your Himalayan 450 in terms of performance and the on-road price of the NX500 E-Clutch stretches over your Rs 8 lakh budget. We suggest you wait until the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 and the Norton Atlas GT will be available in the Indian market. Take a test ride of both these motorcycles and pick which one suits you best.

autocar.india

•14h

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza petrol manual. It is the most sensible first car for your needs. The naturally aspirated petrol engine is smooth, easy to drive and forgiving for a new driver, while the clutch and gearbox are light and user-friendly in city traffic. The Brezza is also one of the most reliable cars in the segment, with Maruti’s strong service network and low maintenance costs, which is important for a first-time owner. It is also a safe car with a solid build and good crash test ratings. The rear seat is comfortable enough for three adults on short city runs, and the boot is adequate for your occasional long highway trips. In your budget, you can get the base LXi variant with the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine. While it misses out on fancy features, it covers all the essentials well.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•6d

The answer we give you will vary based on whether or not you will retain the Hunter alongside a new RE 650 upon its purchase. If you were to keep the Hunter for daily use, the Continental GT 650 makes for a good step up, given your sporty leanings. We'd recommend opting for the colour with allloy wheels for added peace of mind that tubeless tyres bring when fixing a puncture. You could even wait for the upcoming Continental GT-R 750 which will offer an even bigger step up in terms of performance and features, although it will be priced higher than the 650. If, however, you plan to only keep one bike to do it all, the Continental will feel cramped, uncomfortable and committed for repeated daily city use. We'd recommend the Interceptor instead because its upright ergonomics will allow you to be comfy in the city and it still handles reasonably well when you venture out on the weekend. Do bear in mind that if you expect razor sharp handling akin to a smaller, lighter machine (like a KTM RC 390 or Aprilia RS 457) from these heavier, simpler and larger bikes, you will not find that here and while the RE 650s handle well, that's in the context of heavy, relaxed neo-retros.