Autocar India
19w

I am buying my first bike, with most of my riding being in the city with occasional pillion rider. I am 5'11" and on the heavier side. I have tested the Ronin, T4, and CB350 H'ness, but I am confused about which one to choose. Are there any other good options under ₹2.5 lakh?

Verified
19w

In the relaxed neo-retro space, you've already ridden the TVS Ronin and the Honda CB350 H'ness, that are two of the best bikes available in the class. We would also recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 because these bikes still remain the benchmark in the class, in our opinion. Especially since you've mentioned you're a heavier person and carry a pillion regularly. The Classic and Bullet both have lovely seating comfort, sorted suspension and neutral ergonomics. Pair that to a torque-rich engine and lovely fit and finish and you have a concoction that's hard to top - unless you're looking for more performance, that is. 

In that case, the 350cc Triumph Speed T4 makes a good case for itself although do bear in mind, it isn't as large a machine as the Honda bike or Royal Enfield 350s and could feel cramped for a larger rider as well as pillion. 

If you're open to considering ADVs, the Hero Xpulse 210 makes a compelling case for itself and will offer you more comfort and fuel economy than any of the machines listed above. 

Take a test ride of these bikes and compare them with your notes of previous test rides to see which one you like best before you make a decision. 

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210

19w

I have been using Hness for past two years. It's engine is long stroke type and suits relaxed riding and best suited for relaxed riding. Comes with Very tall gear ratios and hence good for cruising on highways in relaxed manner at 90 kmph with 40 kmpl mileage. Due to the same reason upshifting needs to be done accordingly. For instance to shift to top gear one has to cross atleast 70 to 80 kmph speed. Slipper assist clutch makes city driving easy due to its light nature. Engine is almost vibration free and one of the smoothest and gear shifts are precise. Ronon and triumph 400 family are good options for aggressive riding, cornering and well suited for the racer in the rider.

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1d

I have loved manual-transmission cars since childhood. I grew up watching people drive manual cars, and my love for cars and driving has only grown over the years. However, people keep telling me that driving a manual car in heavy city traffic can be difficult and tiring. I genuinely enjoy driving and feel that a manual car gives me a more engaging driving experience. So, what should I do? Should I accept the realities of heavy city traffic and buy an automatic, or should I follow my heart, buy a manual sedan and accept the inconvenience of driving a manual in heavy traffic? I am currently considering the Skoda Slavia 1.0 MT. Does it make sense to choose the manual given my love for driving, or would an automatic be more practical for city use?

Verified
13h

Have you been driving regularly or are you simply fascinated by the concept of owning a manual sedan? If it is the latter, we'll recommend you to rent any self-driven manual car for a week, and replicate your daily usage with. If you're comfortable driving the manual car in traffic, then go ahead and get the car you've been longing for. A self-drive rental might seem a bit expensive but it'll help you get clarity of which transmission you should pick for the long term.The Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI MT is a good choice, but since you have a Rs 20-30 lakh budget for a sedan, we'd suggest you consider the Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo 6MT instead. The Verna's 1.5 Turbo engine is much more powerful, gearbox is smoother, and clutch is lighter than the Skoda's.

VehicleSkoda Slavia
VehicleHyundai Verna

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Posted on: 5 May 2026