I’m looking for a bike for city commuting and touring. My daily commute will be 8-10 km, and I go on occasional weekend trips. I want a bike with good suspension for Indian roads and decent mileage. My budget is ₹2 lakh. I am looking for a bike that provides good pillion comfort too. Seat height, especially for the pillion, should not be too high, as my mother usually asks me to drop her off at work. Which bike should I choose?

Autocar India

•5d

Within your budget, you will get very old examples of the Kawasaki Ninja 300, which will likely not be in good shape after all these years. We'd recommend you go for a new bike for the peace of mind that comes with it and the warranty coverage that comes with it. Since you have mentioned you want something sporty, we'd recommend the Bajaj Pulsar NS200 and the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V. Both have energetic engines, good handling and will also be comfortable for day-to-day use with their upright ergonomics. Both are also reasonably comfortable bikes to carry pillion with, although larger people will be pressed for space. A test ride of these two should help you decide which is best for you.

Reply

Autocar India

•3d

Since you have mentioned you want a comfortable, long-lasting bike in a place where showrooms and service support aren't likely to be as advanced as in major cities, we'd recommend you go with the proven Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has remained largely unchanged in the more than two decades it has been on sale, and procuring spare parts and common replacement parts should be an easy affair. The Unicorn also has a spacious single-piece seat that's not very tall and can easily accommodate two large people. So comfort should also be a non-issue. We'd recommend a test ride of the bike to see whether it fits you well before making a decision.

1Reply

Autocar India

•3d

When Bajaj launches the downsized 350cc Triumph single-cylinder models, there are expected to be minimal or no changes to the chassis. Also, the feature-set and the quality of parts and materials used throughout. It is unlikely that Bajaj will reduce the quality of components used on the 350cc Triumphs, as they are aspirational and premium motorcycles from a fabled British brand. However, if you have your heart set on buying a Triumph Scrambler 400 X, we'd advise you to hurry. Because it has been reported that the 350cc Triumphs aren't a long way away, and this will be your only opportunity to own one.

Reply