I am planning to buy a new bike immediately, with a budget of up to Rs. 5 lakh. My typical usage includes weekday rides of 5-10 km and weekend rides of 125-150 km. Comfort is a key priority, as I experience occasional back stiffness and hip discomfort on long rides. I mostly ride solo but occasionally travel with my wife and 9-year-old daughter. Please suggest the most suitable bike from my shortlist: Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, Triumph Scrambler 400X, Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Triumph Speed 400, Honda CB350RS, TVS Apache RTX).

autocar.india

•1d

Since you have listed long-distance capability and off-road fun as some of your priorities, that in itself rules out the sporty Aprilia Tuono 457 and the heavy Royal Enfield Bear 650 (at least to some extent). The 349cc/398cc KTM Adventure models are a better fit for your brief, and we'd wholeheartedly recommend spending the extra cash and going for whichever 398cc variant you like because the 349cc version just feels a little too boring to ride and has quite a bit of vibration too. Honestly, we'd recommend you also consider the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 because, while the Himalayan isn't the best at any particular aspect, the way it comes together as a package is quite commendable, and if you don't mind its extra weight, it can make for a wonderful companion. Take test rides of both the Himalayan and 390 Adventure before you make up your mind.

autocar.india

•35m

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXI AT. With a monthly running of 1,100 km, mostly on state highways and national highways, the Brezza is the better fit. It offers a higher seating position, better ground clearance, and a more comfortable ride over broken roads, making long highway drives less tiring. The naturally aspirated petrol engine in this Maruti Suzuki car is smooth and reliable, and the torque-converter automatic is well-suited to both highway cruising and occasional city traffic.The Dzire AGS is a good city car, but the Brezza's SUV stance and more robust suspension make it the more comfortable and confidence-inspiring choice for your usage pattern. The Brezza VXI auto is at the upper end of your budget but well worth stretching for.

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

autocar.india

•4h

It is quite unfair to compare a bonafide sporty naked like the Ducati Monster V2 with the relaxed neo-retro that is the Triumph Speed Twin 900 - both also have about a Rs. 4 lakh price difference, so there's also that. If you are looking for a sporty riding experience then the Monster V2 should fit that bill much better than the Triumph, although we are yet to ride the latest Monster so we can't pass a definitive verdict on just how good it is yet. The Triumph Speed Twin 900, on the other hand, is a modern classic with a more relaxed riding position and a heavier, more substantial feel. It is a lovely bike in its own right, but it is not as focused or as sporty as the Monster. Again, these are two very different machines and choosing between them will come down to what sort of a rider you are as well as if you are able to stretch your budget to accomodate the Ducati.