I’m 33 years old, 185 cm tall, weigh 88 kg, and am based in Bengaluru. Over the years, I’ve owned the following two-wheelers (in order): Dio, Xtreme, Karizma R, Avenger 220, and Activa 3G. I sold my Activa in January and have been searching for a new bike since then. Since March 2023, I’ve test-ridden 49 bikes and documented detailed pros and cons, along with my likes and dislikes for each. My primary criteria are after-sales service quality, product quality and reliability, engine refinement, and suspension maturity, which is especially important given Bengaluru’s road conditions. After extensive evaluation, I shortlisted four motorcycles: Svartpilen 401, TVS RTX, HD 440T, and the Adventure 390 spoke-wheel version. Each has its strengths, but also concerns related to availability, service experience, or long-term comfort. Given these factors, my current plan is to buy a Suzuki Access 125 ABS for now and upgrade later to a 490 cc twin-cylinder adventure bike if one launches around 2028 or 2029. Does this approach make sense?

•27w

Since you have been hunting for a bike, we'd recommend you scratch that itch sooner rather than later! Based on your checklist, there are two options we'd recommend you take a strong look at - Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Both are tall and large machines which will suit a person of your stature and have decent performance too. Given their long travel suspension setups, you'll also be comfortable when navigating broken roads inside the city.

The Triumph is geared a little short, which is great at slower speeds inside the city but on the highway, that means vibrations creep in sooner. The Royal Enfield's 196kg kerb weight might not be something you are willing to put up with daily, especially at city speeds.

Take a test ride of these bikes and see for yourself which one offers the experience you are after before making a purchase.

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Triumph

Scrambler 400 X

from ₹2.94 Lakh

Royal Enfield

Himalayan

from ₹3.39 Lakh

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•5d

We would like to buy a scooter for a female member of our family. She has been using an Activa for many years, and it is still running well. However, I’m not very happy with its safety and would like to upgrade to a better and safer scooter. I’m currently considering the Ather Apex, while she has a slight preference for the Vespa. However, I’m not sure about Vespa’s reliability. The nearest Vespa service centre is around 10 km away. Would it be possible to get a Vespa serviced and maintained by a local mechanic? Please advise which scooters we should consider. Our budget is around Rs 2-3 lakh.

•16m

Since the person you are shopping for prefers a neo-retro styled scooter, consider options like the Yamaha Fascino and Suzuki Access. Both have appealing designs and are frugal, reliable, comfortable and lightweight machines which should serve you well. The Fascino is one of the lightest ICE scooters on sale and if ease of use is a top priority, then the Yamaha edges ahead. We'd recommend you go take a test ride of both before making your decision. Coming to the Ather 450 Apex, it will surely offer a step up in terms of performance and features but in terms of practicality and comfort, you might be losing some ground here. Also, its sharp brakes are prone to locking up, which isn't ideal. And no, a roadside mechanic cannot repair a cutting-edge electric scooter, you have to go to the authorised service centres for that. Moving on to the Vespa, Piaggio's scooters are good to ride but their purchase and ownership costs are significantly higher than the mainstream brands. If you are okay with this, then you may go ahead with your purchase.

Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi

Suzuki Access

Ather 450 Apex

•4d

Hi, I’m looking to buy a premium bike and am considering the BMW F 450 GS. I really like the Racing Blue colour, but I’m not sure about the ERC system. I’ll be riding 90%+ in the city, mainly in Mumbai’s bumper-to-bumper traffic, with occasional weekend rides to places around the city and nearby outskirts. Will the ERC function properly in heavy city traffic, or could the ERC clutch system cause any issues in such riding conditions? Would it be better to consider the Exclusive variant instead? I currently ride a 2016 Thunderbird 350.

•1h

Since most of your riding is going to be in gridlocked Mumbai traffic, the Trophy variant of the BMW F 450 GS with the centrifugal clutch is the one that makes the most sense. Yes, there will be a small adaptation window, but once you get used to the clutch, it is a very handy feature to have - not having to use the clutch lever in traffic is a boon! To be sure, take a test ride before you make your decision.

BMW Bikes F 450 GS

•23h

I have had a solid overall experience with my Guerrilla. The highlights are definitely its performance and ride dynamics, though the initial ownership phase came with a few minor teething issues that needed sorting out. Overall, it is a punchy, engaging roadster that shines both on highways and on light off road trails. One major note to keep before buying, check according to your fuel capacity and your affordability. The 11 lt fuel tank is easily the bike's main practical game changing point. Because of the limited capacity, long distance highway rides require frequent fuel stops and careful route planning around petrol pumps. Best go for Guerrilla if you are power enthu, if you want refinement then look for honda bikes.

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•1w

I am a first-time driver with an annual running of no more than 6,000 km and need an automatic car. I am confused between the Tata Nexon 1.2 AMT Creative+ at around Rs. 13 lakh, which offers features such as a 360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof, and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT at a similar price. Should I choose the Brezza VXi AT or stretch my budget to around Rs. 14.5 lakh for the ZXi variant with a reverse camera? I liked the Nexon's comfort and spacious cabin. Will the AMT gearbox be suitable for 75% city driving and 25% hill driving around Pune?

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. The torque converter automatic is far smoother and more predictable in stop-start traffic and on hilly terrain compared to the Tata Nexon AMT, which can feel jerky at low speeds and on the hills. This Maruti Suzuki car is a more reliable and hassle-free car to own, with Maruti's strong service network and lower maintenance costs. If you can stretch your budget, the ZXi variant is worth considering for the added features, but the VXi itself is a solid, no-nonsense choice. You can also consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which gets a turbo-petrol engine and a torque converter. It will deliver punchier performance and is better value than the Brezza