Hi, I am looking for a bike I can ride for occasional long drives as well as city riding. I’m 44 years old and want to start my passion for long drives. I’m considering bikes like Hunter 350 and Honda 350 but also want something with good mileage. I’m 5'5" and the Yamaha XSR 155 looks good with a retro feel and lower cost. Please suggest.

Autocar India

•8w

The Yamaha XSR155 will make for a welcoming partner for someone who wants to start riding long distances. It has excellent fuel economy, engaging performance and is also quite lightweight. Do bear in mind that over bad roads, your back will hurt after a while because of its stiff rear suspension.

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a more relaxed machine than the XSR in terms of its performance and handling on account of being heavier and being powered by a soulful yet simple air-cooled engine. The Hunter will be more comfortable than the XSR, but it will also return lower fuel economy.

Another option to consider if you're looking at these two bikes is the TVS Ronin.

To make an informed decision, take a test ride of all three bikes before you decide.

Explore bikes mentioned

Yamaha

XSR155

from ₹1.65 Lakh

Royal Enfield

Hunter 350

from ₹1.53 Lakh

TVS

Ronin

from ₹1.38 Lakh

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Tamil R

•1w

I’m 22 and planning to buy my first bike, mainly for city commuting, with strong pillion comfort as a top priority. We already have a 15-year-old Honda Shine that is still reliable. My parents encouraged me to buy something better than basic commuter bikes like the TVS Sport or Bajaj Platina, and even offered financial help, which I would prefer to avoid since I’ve just started working. Initially, I shortlisted the TVS Raider, Hero Glamour (with cruise control, which I don’t really need), and Honda SP125 because they are affordable. However, I’m concerned about long-term service with TVS and Hero, and the lack of ABS on the Honda SP125. Then I looked at higher-segment options but ruled out sporty bikes with stepped seats (like the Hero Xtreme 125R and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V) due to pillion comfort concerns. That left me considering the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350, and Yamaha XSR155 (which I ruled out due to pillion comfort). Now I’m confused between the comfort and efficiency of the TVS Ronin and the road presence and perceived reliability of the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. At the same time, I’m wondering if it would be smarter to save money and stick with a premium 125cc bike, since 90% of my usage will be relaxed city riding and I value cruiser-like comfort over speed.

Autocar India

•4d

Since you've said that most of your riding is relegated to city riding with a pillion, where comfort and fuel efficiency are top priorities, we'd recommend you stick to a premium 125cc commuter. The TVS Raider is a good option as it offers a comfortable ride and a spacious seat for the rider and pillion. In that category, our top picks are the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Both are available with variants that have a long, single-piece seat, so pillion comfort as well as fuel efficiency will be taken care of. In case you do want to scratch the itch of getting a larger machine, you will be well served by the TVS Ronin as well as the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both have smooth, torquey engines, plush suspension and are large enough to carry a pillion. Take a test ride of these bikes and see which one you prefer the most before purchasing.

TVS Raider

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 125R

TVS Ronin

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Rainak Sharma

•1d

I am 5ft 4 inches in height. Which Royal Enfield would be suitable for me so that I don't have to tiptoe? I was thinking Meteor 350.

Autocar India

•10m

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has a very manageable 765mm seat height, which should suit your stature. But if you want the lowest 350cc Royal Enfield bike, then it would be the Goan Classic. The Goan has an even lower 750mm perch, which will be even easier to flatfoot.Do bear in mind that the Goan Classic's handlebars are taller than usual, and this is something you should pay attention to on a test ride. We'd advise taking test rides of both the Meteor and Goan and pick whichever one suits you best and the one you prefer the look of more.

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Selvakumar

•6d

I’m a long-time Autocar fan and a 5’10” rider planning to replace my 2015 Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 with a more practical maxi-scooter for daily commuting and errands. My main priorities are comfort and fuel efficiency. I am currently considering the Yamaha Aerox 155 and the Hero Xoom 160. Which one would you recommend? Also, would it be worth waiting for the Yamaha Nmax 155, or is there a better alternative I should consider?

Autocar India

•3d

In our experience, neither the Yamaha Aerox 155 nor the Hero Xoom 160 have proven to be comfortable, especially over broken roads. Instead of these two, we'd recommend you give a long, hard look at the TVS Ntorq 150. On paper, it might seem like a step down compared to the Yamaha and Hero with its 12-inch wheels and air-cooled engine, but in reality, it is the better product. With plush suspension, a spacious underseat storage and peppy performance, the bigger Ntorq makes for a compelling sporty scooter that doesn't sacrifice practicality. In our routine tests, we also found that - when ridden gently - it can be surprisingly fuel efficient. Do take a test ride of the Ntorq 150 to see if it resonates with you.

Yamaha Aerox 155

Hero MotoCorp Xoom 160

TVS Ntorq 150

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