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•42w

Hi, I am 20 years old and weigh 76 kg. My daily ride is around 30 km, mostly in the city. I am confused between the TVS Ronin, Yamaha XSR155, Honda CB300R, and Hunter. Kindly guide me, as I am a new bike rider. Thank you.

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•41w

Let's dissect each bikes strenghts and weaknesses so you know what you're in for. The TVS Ronin is a relaxed, comfortable, peppy and relatively fuel-efficient machine. If you don't mind how it looks, the Ronin is a machine that will keep you satisfied for a long time.

The Yamaha XSR155 is essentially a handsome MT-15 with some small ergonomic changes. It is the sportiest machine of all the bikes you're considering and that reflects in its canted forward riding position and stiff suspension setup. If you have good roads around your residence, then the XSR makes for a compelling purchase.

The Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and the Honda CB350 H'ness are similar machines with somewhat familiar riding experiences. Both are comfortable, look good and have big, torquey air-cooled engines. The difference is that the Honda feels like a more substantial bike that needs a little more effort when riding, owing to its super tall gearing - not necessarily a bad thing, if you're into this sort of thing. 

The Hunter will feel smaller, lighter and more flickable inside the city. Additionally, its well-judged gearing will ensure you don't have to make many gear changes. 

Take a comprehensive test ride of all 4 before you decide.

TVS Ronin

TVS Ronin

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•5d

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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•4d

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

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Posted on: 28 Dec 2025