Autocar India
•6w

Hi Autocar team, I’m 32 years old and currently ride a 2021 Triumph Street Triple R with around 23,000 km on the odometer. I’m now planning to move into the adventure touring category and add a BMW R1300 GS Adventure to the garage. I’ve already test ridden the bike and was really impressed with the boxer engine performance, comfort, and overall character. A few friends have also recommended that I try the Ducati Multistrada V4 because of the performance and handling it offers, and I’m planning to test ride it soon as well. My riding style is more spirited - I enjoy riding fast on highways and twisties - but I also want a bike that I can keep long-term for the next 15 years alongside my Street Triple R. Usage pattern: - Weekend rides mostly - Around 200-300 km rides regularly - One major touring ride every year (example: Mumbai to Spiti) My priorities are: - Long-term reliability - Manageable maintenance costs - Good parts availability in India - A bike that feels special even after many years of ownership Between the BMW R1300 GS Adventure and Ducati Multistrada V4, which would you recommend as the better forever bike for my use case? Would love your opinion. Thanks!

Verified
•5w

Both the BMW R 1300 GS Adventure and Ducati Multistrada V4 might be peers on paper, but the real-world story couldn't be more different. BMW's R 1300 GSA will give you better comfort, a more surefooted feel at faster speeds on longer tours and with its huge 30 litre tank, you'll have to stop less frequently for fuel. The downside with the big GSA is going to be its sheer size and heft, although judging from your test ride experience, you weren't really fazed by it. 

On the other hand, the Ducati Multistrada V4 will feel much closer to your Street Triple R in terms of its sheer performance and taut handling. The Multistrada V4 feels much closer to a supernaked in terms of its speed and performance, but that has its own drawbacks, primarily drastically lower fuel economy and a propensity to wear out the rear tyre quicker than usual, if you ride hamfistedly quite often. 

When it comes to maintenance costs, both these premium European ADVs are pretty much as expensive to maintain as any motorcycle can get, and you should be prepared for it. Coming to reliability, the Ducati Multistrada V4 has been out for longer and has really proven its mettle, even in punishing Indian conditions. The BMW R 1300 GS platform is still in its infancy, and super long-term reliability still remains unknown. 

However, since you plan to retain your Street Triple R for the foreseeable future, we'd recommend you choose the BMW because it provides a different experience, and its boxer engine is lovely to use and enjoy in Indian conditions. As good as the Multistrada V4 is, it will likely feel a little too similar to your sporty naked, and in the long term, you'd rather have two very different bikes than two rather similar ones. Happy hunting!

BMW R 1300 GS Adventure

BMW R 1300 GS Adventure

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More questions on similar bikes

•3d

I own a 2023 Interceptor 650, but I don't use it much because most of my rides are within the city. I go on long rides only once or twice a year. So, I am thinking of selling it and getting a 250-300cc motorcycle for my daily rides and occasional long trips. I am looking for something that is reliable and requires low maintenance. The Suzuki 250s - the naked and the V-Strom are on my mind. Please share your inputs. Thanks in advance!

Verified
•1d

While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
Bajaj Pulsar N250
•3d

I am planning to buy the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 by the end of next year for my daily office commute from Delhi to Gurugram, which is around 20 km one way. Buying it is partly a childhood dream, but I also want to be practical. Is it the right choice? What other options should I consider, and what factors should I keep in mind? I am 38 years old.

Verified
•1d

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a sporty roadster that is good fun daily, and it's reasonably practical and comfortable for commuting duties too. Whether this is the right choice for you is a question only you can answer, and the way we'd recommend you go about it is to take a test ride of the bike and see if it fits into your orbit. Some points to bear in mind in traffic: the Guerrilla's clutch is a little heavy, and its engine's bottom end is a little weak. But on the flip side, it has a punchy mid and top-end and its handling is very engaging and surefooted too. If you want to consider a more commuter-friendly alternative to the Guerrilla, try out the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, which doesn't have as much outright performance, but it's better suited to commute on and is also more comfortable. A test ride of these two should help you determine which is the better fit for you. Do write back if you think neither is a good fit, and we'll be happy to recommend different options!

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
Triumph Speed 400
•2d

I'm looking for an electric scooter under Rs. 1.2 lakh on-road in Mysore as a secondary two-wheeler alongside my Honda CB350RS (E20 compliant). The EV will mainly be used by my wife for daily errands, and I will occasionally use it for my office commute, which is 3 km one way. Our maximum daily running will be around 12 km. Which one would you recommend?

Verified
•1d

Since your daily running is quite low, we'd recommend the TVS iQube 2.2 for your usage. The base iQube is anything but base in the way it rides, and it has zippy performance, reliable range, a spacious underseat boot and even a pretty quick 650W charger. All of this means that while you are essentially buying the entry-level model in the iQube range, you aren't getting an entry-level end-user experience. In our tests, we found that the iQube returned pretty much the exact range that was shown on the display in both its modes (Power and Eco). And unlike other EVs, which feel painfully hamstrung in big-city traffic in Eco mode, the iQube can comfortably do 40-45kph in its lower mode, meaning you don't have to really compromise on the performance front for more range. This variant of the iQube will also fit in under the Rs 1.20 lakh mark on-road in your city. Take a test ride of the iQube 2.2 to be sure that you and your spouse are comfortable with it, and then make your decision.

TVS iQube

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Popular discussions right now

•1w

I want to buy an EV scooter with a budget of Rs. 60,000. My requirements are minimal, as I travel less than 10 km daily. However, I want a reliable EV scooter with good safety and long-term performance. Please suggest a suitable and reliable EV scooter within this budget.

Verified
•5d

Since your budget is extremely tight but you want a reliable electric scooter, your only option would be to buy models like the Vida VX2 Go or TVS iQube or Ather Rizta via the BaaS (Battery as a Subscription) model. Going for an electric scooter from reputed brands like Hero, TVS and Ather gives you the peace of mind of knowing that you have one of the largest sales and service networks in the country and should you encounter an issue, help will likely not be too far.Take test rides of these scooters, figure out which one fits into your budget (including the BaaS monthly payment) and then decide for yourself, which is the best option.

Vida VX2
Ather Rizta
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•1w

Can you please suggest which bike is better overall: the Suzuki V-Strom SX 250 or the TVS Apache RTX 300?

Verified
•6d

The TVS Apache RTX 300 is a faster, more modern, feature-rich and capable machine than the Suzuki V-Strom SX. If you value performance and features, then the RTX is definitely the bike more likely to be up your alley. However, if most of your riding is in the city and you value a hassle-free, no-nonsense experience then the V-Strom will be the one that will appeal to you. While they sit in similiar price segments, the RTX and V-Strom aren't directly comparable and we'd advise you to take a test ride of both before you make your decision.

TVS Apache RTX
Suzuki V-Strom SX
•1w

Is the Honda Hornet 2.0 better than the Bajaj Pulsar N160? I'm confused about which one to buy.

Verified
•5d

Both the Honda Hornet 2.0 and Bajaj Pulsar N160 have similar performance and fuel economy in the real world, so picking between the two will boil down to which bike's design, comfort, features and overall ownership experience you prefer. The N160 is also considerably more affordable than the Hornet, and, at the Hornet's price, you could even consider the larger Pulsar N250.However, Honda bikes are generally known for their hassle-free ownership experience with bulletproof long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. Bajaj's ownership costs, too, are quite frugal, but service can be a point of friction.Take test rides of both bikes and also speak to your nearest authorised dealer and service center for both brands before you make your decision.

Honda Bikes Hornet 2.0
Bajaj Pulsar N160
Bajaj Pulsar N250

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Posted on: 1 Jun 2026