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•46w

I’m 27 (5′9″) and my father is 60 (5′11″) with a broad upper body. I want a bike (on-road budget under ₹2.4 lakh) that fits both our heights and body types. My riding will be mostly city and highway, with some casual off-roading and long trips. I’m considering the Yezdi ADV, Yezdi Roadster, Royal Enfield H’ness, TVS Apache RTX 300, and Hero Xpulse. Which of these suits both of us best?

Verified
•44w

Considering your use case, we would advise choosing between the TVS Apache RTX 300 and the Hero Xpulse 210. The RTX is an adventure bike, which will make it great on the road, while the Xpulse is a dualsport, which will be more capable during serious off-roading. 

If you want a more road-biased machine, then the Honda CB350 H'ness (or either of its siblings), the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 and the TVS Ronin would make for a good option. 

Take a test ride of these machines to help decide which one is best for you. 

Hero Xpulse 210

Hero Xpulse 210

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•4d

I am 5'6" and have previously owned or ridden a Hero Glamour (2007–2010), a Bajaj Pulsar 125 (2012–2013), a Royal Enfield Electra (2013–2020, at my hometown) and an Apache RTR 160 (2016–2018, in the city where I worked). Currently, I use my father's Honda Aviator for short trips. Of all these bikes, I enjoyed the Royal Enfield Electra the most, particularly for its ride comfort and low-end torque. However, I did face some issues with the kick-start mechanism and gearbox. Since 2014, I have primarily used a car, and I am now looking for a motorcycle mainly for leisure and occasional rides. I am 40 years old, and my riding will mostly involve city commutes in bumper-to-bumper traffic, with a longer weekend ride once every three months. I prefer retro or classic styling and am not particularly interested in speed. Comfort, easy handling and looks are my priorities. The motorcycles I am considering are the Honda CB350C, Honda Rebel, Yamaha XSR (mainly because of its relatively low weight), Triumph T4 and Royal Enfield Meteor. My previous experience with the older Royal Enfield UCE engine makes me a little hesitant about buying another RE, although I am open to considering the Meteor if the newer J-series engine is a significant improvement. Considering my height, riding requirements and preferences, which one motorcycle would you recommend? I would appreciate advice based on real-world ownership experience, particularly regarding comfort in city traffic, ease of handling and long-term reliability. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

Verified
•3d

Given your previous experience with an Electra, we'd recommend you take a look at the latest Royal Enfield Classic 350 / Bullet 350 models. The Meteor 350 is a good option too, but in a pure comfort-related comparison, it won't feel as plush as the aforementioned two over bad roads. These new models have the same feel as older REs but bring in modern reliability and a high level of both fit and finish as well as comfort - all things you are looking for. IIf you find the REs a bit too heavy to manage, you should alternatively look at the Honda CB350 model, which has a similar riding experience but is far lighter. We'd advise sticking to these bikes as the others don't seem to be in line with your needs.

Royal Enfield Classic 350
Royal Enfield Bullet 350
Royal Enfield Meteor 350
Honda Bikes CB350

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•1d

I'm planning to purchase my first motorcycle and have narrowed down my options to the Bajaj Pulsar N160 SS and Dominar 250. My primary usage will be short daily commutes of approximately 5-6 km one way in Hyderabad's traffic (around 12km two way), with occasional longer rides. I'm a relatively new rider, so low-speed usability, manoeuvrability and ease of handling matter to me. The N160 SS appeals to me because of its lighter weight, Crawl Tech, TFT and city-friendly characteristics. However, the Dominar 400 has been my dream motorcycle for the past ten years, ever since it was launched in India while I was still in school. While the Dominar 400 remains my dream bike, the Dominar 250 seems like a reasonable compromise for my primarily urban use, offering some of that Dominar experience without going straight for the 400. I've ridden the Dominar 400 and found it surprisingly manageable and planted, but I haven't been able to test-ride the Dominar 250 because dealerships don't have test-ride units. I've also heard that the Dominar 250 lacks low-end urgency, requires frequent gear changes in slow traffic and is relatively heavy for city use. On the other hand, my uncle, who has owned a Dominar 400 for years and uses it in Hyderabad, has suggested that the Dominar 250 could be a reasonable choice for my requirements. The Dominar 250 is currently quoted at approximately Rs. 2.42 lakh (on-road), compared with around Rs. 1.86-1.94 lakh for the N160 SS. Given my usage, beginner experience and long-standing desire to own a Dominar, would you recommend the N160 SS as the more sensible long-term choice, or is the Dominar 250 a motorcycle that I could realistically grow into and enjoy despite its compromises? I would particularly appreciate your thoughts on low-speed tractability, bumper-to-bumper traffic, manoeuvrability for a beginner, and whether the Dominar's additional weight and cost are justified for someone whose riding will primarily be urban.

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•3h

There's no doubt that the Bajaj Dominar 250 will fit the bill well for your needs as a first-time motorcyclist. However, what stops us from recommending it wholeheartedly is that the smaller Dominar sells in extremely microscopic numbers which means sometimes you'll be waiting a long time for a small part, leaving your bike out of action which is never a good thing. Truth be told, the Dominar 400 (especially since it is now powered by a downsized 349cc motor) is a perfectly acceptable first bike and since you have had an inclination towards the Dominar for a long time, why not go ahead and scratch and that itch! The only caveat here would be that the Dominar is a hefty machine, weighing 190kg, which can catch you off-guard at slow-speed scenarios but in time, you'll get used to it. On the other hand, if you don't want to deal with the extra weight and purchasing cost of the Dominar 400, then the Pulsar N160 SS is a very different but nonetheless, a great option for a beginner. It has a peppy engine, predictable handling, good comfort and comes with all the latest gizmos and gadgets that people these days want their two-wheelers to be festooned with. Not to mention, it will also be far more fuel efficient than the Dominar. These are 2 very different bikes which will give you starly different experiences so its best you take a test ride and see which one you're leaning towards more before you make your decision.

Bajaj Dominar 250
Bajaj Dominar 400
Bajaj Pulsar N160
•5d

Which bike should I choose between the new KTM 390 Adventure, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450? I am upgrading from a TVS Ronin 225, and I feel it lacks power on highways, especially while overtaking. I am also looking for a new riding experience. I am 5'3" tall and weigh 75kg. Please guide me on which bike would suit me best, considering my height, riding comfort and performance. Or would it be better to stick with the TVS Ronin?

Verified
•3d

Given your stature and the fact that you're coming from a Ronin, we'd recommend you choose between the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 you've shortlisted. While both bikes have similar peak power outputs and pricing, they're poles apart to ride, so make sure you get a test ride before you go ahead with your purchase. The 390 Duke has sublime handling, great features and its 349cc engine loves chasing the redline but in day-to-day usage it feels like the machine that needs to be worked harder. Its suspension is also quite stiff (not harsh but definitely not plush) and there are quite a few vibes from the engine at almost all touch points no matter the revs you're at. If you don't care about refinement or comfort too much, and want all-out sporting thrills at a reasonable budget, then the 350cc Duke is something you should consider. If instead, you want your next purchase to be a bit more rounded to balance both usability and performance, then the RE Guerrilla 450 should be on your radar. The Guerrilla's 452cc engine's torquey nature makes it far more effortless to ride both in the city and on the highway, and its chassis is set up well for brisk road riding. It also has a lower 780mm perch (compared to the KTM's 800mm one) and its suspension is also set up to deal with road imperfections better. Ofcourse, it lacks the outright speed, handling, as well as the finessed electronics of the KTM, but for some people, this will actually be a plus point. Like we said at the outset, these are two very different bikes, so before making your decision, ensure you take a thorough test ride.

KTM 390 Duke
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

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Posted on: 3 Dec 2025