Sir, at present I own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird X 350. I have always dreamt about Himalayan. My height is 5'2" and I weigh approximately 60 kg. I am 58 years. Do you think I can ride Himalayan 440, especially for long distance on a highway? Otherwise, can you please suggest me some other bike from Royal Enfield family, my budget is up to 2.5 lakhs. Thanks in advance.

autocar.india

•2h

Yes, this is a perfectly sensible combination for the FZ25. The Michelin Pilot Street 2 is a well-proven front tyre with a neutral profile and good wet grip, which helps with stability and predictable steering. The Apollo Tramplr XR is a more aggressive, blockier pattern that works well on the rear, offering good traction and durability without compromising stability. The concerns about the XR front are valid as some owners have reported a slightly vague feel at higher speeds, which is why your current setup actually makes sense. The FZ25 is not a high-strung performance bike, so this mixed setup will not cause any handling issues. The only thing to keep in mind is that the XR rear may wear a bit faster if you do a lot of highway riding, but overall this is a well-balanced and safe combination.

autocar.india

•1d

Based on your requirements, the Maruti Suzuki Victoris Hybrid is the most suitable recommendation. It offers a strong hybrid system that delivers excellent fuel efficiency in city driving, a spacious enough rear seat and a reasonably sized boot. The ride quality is comfortable and Maruti's service network in Pune is among the best in the country. The hybrid system also makes a meaningful difference on long drives, where the petrol engine and electric motor work together to deliver smooth and efficient performance. This Maruti Suzuki car is essentially the same car as the Grand Vitara and Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder underneath, but it gets a more premium interior and a better feature list, including Level 2 ADAS at a similar price point. If you are open to a non-hybrid option, the Honda Elevate is also worth considering. It offers a spacious cabin, a comfortable ride and Honda's reputation for reliability, but it does not offer the same fuel efficiency advantage as the Victoris Hybrid. Overall, the Victoris Hybrid is the best fit for your requirements and budget.

Maruti Suzuki Victoris

Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

Honda Elevate

autocar.india

•2d

Considering your build and your specific needs as well as usage, we'd recommend choosing between the Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Suzuki V-Strom SX. Given that you travel with a pillion occasionally and want an upgrade from your current 150cc bike, both will offer a step up, although to varying degrees.The V-Strom SX offers trademark Suzuki strengths like being easy to ride, inexpensive to own, good fuel efficiency if ridden sensibly and being a reliable machine that will last you for many years. Its compromises are that its smaller engine will obviously lack the poke of the bigger Triumph, and it is a simple machine with no real frills (which could even be considered a plus point if you like simple machines). The V-Strom is also far more affordable to purchase, which is a definite plus point for someone stepping up from a 150cc bike.The 350cc Scrambler 400 X will - unsurprisingly - offer more spirited performance and better high-speed manners given its more sophisticated chassis and will also feel like the better finished product of the two. Its handling is pleasantly engaging for the sort of bike it is, and since you mentioned you value those attributes in your current bike, this will appeal to you. Downsides to the Scrambler include higher ownership costs, lower fuel economy and its pillion perch is slightly smaller than the Suzuki's, although not bad in isolation.To make a definitive decision between the two, a test ride will be helpful.