Autocar India
1d

I’m stuck between the CB350RS and Scram 440 and would love to hear from people who have ridden either or both. I’m primarily looking for a daily city bike, with occasional long rides and weekend tours. I commute around 26km every day through peak Bangalore traffic, and the roads aren’t exactly great either, with plenty of potholes, broken stretches and stop-and-go traffic. I had initially shortlisted the CB350RS because I really liked its character, relaxed nature, thump, refinement and mileage. It feels like a bike I’d genuinely enjoy riding every day. However, I felt it was slightly lacking when I needed to make quick overtakes or manoeuvre through gaps in traffic. It isn’t necessarily slow, but it doesn’t feel particularly eager when you need that extra shove. Then I rode the Scram 440, and that’s where the dilemma started. I absolutely loved its character and the way it delivers power. It felt much easier to make quick overtakes and manoeuvre through traffic. The seating position and suspension also felt significantly better suited to Bangalore’s terrible roads. On the other hand, I’m still drawn to the CB350RS because I really like its overall feel and calmer, more relaxed character. So, which one would you pick for this kind of usage? I’d especially appreciate feedback from anyone who has owned or ridden both.

Verified
4m

From what you've told us, it seems like you're leaning more towards the Royal Enfield Scram 440, so we'd suggest you go with that bike. The Scram can be a relaxed and mellow machine when you want to just cruise, but if you need the added power to make an overtake, it fares better than the Honda CB350RS. An added bonus is that the Scram is more comfortable over bad roads because of its ADV lineage. 

Royal Enfield Scram 440

Royal Enfield Scram 440

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3d

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.

Verified
2d

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 is one of the most approachable ADVs on the market and once you get accustomed to its size and weight, you should be able to comfortably manage it. Its only at slower speeds in the city when you're navigating through traffic when the weight and size will be a problem but otherwise on the highway at constant speeds on a long tour, you'll hardly feel the weight. If you want something similar but with an even friendlier seat height, the Scram 440 is another good option and its top variant is the one to go for as it comes with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. The Guerrilla 450 is another option from the RE stable that you should consider. It brings properly energetic performance and sporty handling to the table as well as a fancier colour TFT display, making it a step up in almost all ways to the relatively more spartan 440s. Its super friendly 780mm seat height is lower than both of the aforementioned bikes. Take a test ride of all three, see which one you gel with most and then make your decision. Do bear in mind that all three will be above Rs 2.50 lakh (on-road), so you will have to extend your budget.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 440
Royal Enfield Scram 440
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
5d

Hi, I’m planning to buy a new bike during Dussehra and am confused between the R15 and Xtreme. I really like both R15 and Xtreme and feel that either could be used for touring. However, I’m hesitant about the R15 because I’ve seen reviews mentioning that its light weight can affect highway handling and that it may not be ideal on steep inclines. At the same time, we know the R15 can be taken on tours, whereas I’m not sure whether the Xtreme would be equally suitable for touring. We also know that Splendor is reliable. I had also shortlisted the XMR 210 and really liked it, but it is out of production. So, should I go for the R15 or Xtreme?

Verified
1d

In theory, with enough determination and some out-of-the-box thinking, you could take any two-wheeler on a long-distance tour. The Yamaha R15 is a sorted, proven supersport but as a tourer, it will leave you wanting in more than one area. On the other hand, the Hero Xtreme 250R packs in lovely handling with comfy ergos and absorptive suspension which will certainly help you cover longer distances in greater comfort. The Xtreme's larger engine is also punchier and will be less stressed at highway speeds than the R15's. However, as you pointed out, the Hero's reliability has been rather patchy and it seems to be a sporadic issue depending on the unit. If you can go to your nearest Hero dealer and get some assurances about the reliability of the Xtreme as well as a good roadside assistance package then perhaps you should consider it. However, if you aren't convinced look for similar options from KTM 200 Duke or 250 Duke or even the Yamaha MT-15 and XSR155 which will all be sporty, yet comfortable machines that are reliable and can be taken touring without a second thought.

Yamaha R15S
Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 250R
KTM 200 Duke
KTM 250 Duke
Yamaha MT-15 Ver 2.0
Yamaha XSR155

Popular discussions right now

4d

Hi, I am 35 years old. I have a sitting job in IT. Could you please suggest most comfortable bike in suspension considering I suffer from back and neck pain at work that increases while riding in city as well as my height (169 cm) and weight (68 kg) on city roads in India. Please consider city potholes. I will have to travel 20km daily in weekdays till Friday and on weekends, it will be 200 km. Earlier, I had Yamaha FZ S FI but I no longer own it. Now I own my father's Hero Super Splendor XTEC only. I was checking out Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350, Honda CB350 H'ness, Triumph Speed 400, etc. I had taken the test drive of Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 (2024 Model), but for my weight, during road bumping, it directly transfers shock and and vibration to my back. Please suggest your valuable feedback.

Verified
2d

In our experience, all of the bikes you have shortlisted (aside from the Meteor to some extent) have proven to be adept at shielding the rider from road imperfections. Since you have mentioned that the Classic isn't doing the trick for you, perhaps it could mean that for your physique a bike with a different riding position may be the solution. Take a test ride of the Hunter 350, which now has very absorptive suspension and a similar feel from the engine. You should also consider the Harley-Davidson X440 (splurge for the nicer looking T if you can) as that bike also has a comfortable suspension setup and seating posture.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
Harley Davidson X440
2d

Hi Autocar India, I’m planning to buy my first proper motorcycle and I’d really like your recommendation based on my overall riding style rather than just a comparison between two bikes. I’m based in Hyderabad and my maximum budget is around Rs. 3-3.5 lakh on-road. My regular usage would be around 20-30 km a day in the city for roughly 20 days a month, but I also want to go for regular highway rides and occasional 300-600 km trips. I’m interested in doing longer rides such as Ladakh, although I’m not looking for hardcore off-roading. My priorities are strong acceleration and good pickup and therefore, I don’t want a bike that feels underpowered while overtaking or riding with a pillion/luggage. I want a bike that is comfortable for highway cruising at around 90-120 km/h with good stability and comfort for long-distance. The bike should offer reasonable mileage and manageable running costs. I am looking for bike that can handle both city riding and touring without being too tiring. Reliability and good service support are also important because I plan to keep the bike for several years. I’m okay with a heavier motorcycle if the weight is manageable while moving. I’m open to singles or twins and even 300-600cc if the bike genuinely suits my requirements. Styling is also important to me. I don’t particularly want the most common KTM/Duke-type motorcycle on the road. I like motorcycles with a distinctive, mature or premium character. I’m increasingly interested in cruisers and bobbers as well such as the Honda Rebel 300, Harley-Davidson X440, Dominar 400, etc. but I’m not fixed on a cruiser. I also like bikes such as the V-Strom and sport-tourers, so I’m genuinely open to different categories. I’ve considered bikes such as the Dominar 400, V-Strom 250, Himalayan 450, X440, Apache RR 310, Ninja 300, Rebel 300 and some KTM Adventure models. I’m finding it difficult because every bike has a different compromise. I’d therefore like your honest expert recommendation: if you were choosing one motorcycle for my exact usage, budget, riding style and long-term plans, which bikes would you shortlist and why? Please consider performance, highway cruising, comfort, touring ability, city usability, reliability, mileage, service/ownership costs and whether the bike will still feel satisfying after a few years. Also, if you think I’m approaching the purchase from the wrong category entirely, please tell me that and suggest what type of motorcycle I should actually be looking at. I’m not simply looking for the bike with the biggest engine or the highest specifications but I want the motorcycle that makes the most sense for the way I will actually ride.

Verified
2d

You seem like someone who is going to use the bike for a variety of purposes, so getting a capable adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 would be our first recommendation. The Himalayan is an effortless machine both on the highway and inside the city, so long as you are cognizant of and comfortable with its size and heft. If you want a similar alternative in the neo-retro world, the Harley-Davidson X440 is a good option to consider. Similarly, it would also be prudent to wait for the imminent arrival of the Honda CB500, as that has the makings of being a do-it-all and capable neo-retro machine. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Royal Enfield Himalayan
Honda Bikes CB500
Harley Davidson X440

Posted on: 23 Sept 2026