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?

Autocar India

•3h

The River Indie is an impressive electric scooter and will serve you nicely. It is a large, spacious and comfortable machine that focuses on maximising utility rather than frilly features. Its 43 litre underseat storage is the largest on an electric scooter today and can swallow a lot of daily essentials like groceries, a backpack, a large helmet and also have space for the charger. The only thing to be mindful of is its size and weight, because if you are of a shorter stature, then the Indie's size could potentially prove to be too big for you. In that case, we would recommend you opt for one of these three - TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak and Ather Rizta. Make sure you take a test ride of these before you decide to go ahead with your purchase, so you can make an informed decision.

Autocar India

•4d

The KTM 390 Enduro R is one of the most fun machines you can buy in its category today, but it comes with some compromises. You need to be okay with its tall 890mm seat height, 177kg kerb weight and tubed tyres. Coming to your questions, firstly, the 390 Enduro R is actually quite nice on the road. Day-to-day riding will become quite enjoyable, not to mention rather fast because of its tough, long-travel suspension and commanding ergonomics. You'll only need to be mindful of punctures and the lower tank range. If this is to be your only bike, then the Enduro might not be the most practical or user-friendly option. Taking it off-road might prove to be too much for a beginner, especially so if you find its seat height intimidating. An adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or KTM 390 Adventure X will undoubtedly be more practical, capable and user-friendly on the road but will feel a little larger off it. Ultimately, it all boils down to two things. First, can you live with the seat height (both on and off the road) and second, are you willing to live with the compromises the Enduro comes with over its Adventure sibling?If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then you should go ahead with your purchase. Only an exhaustive test ride will help you figure out whether the Enduro will be the right fit for you.

Autocar India

•6w

The neo-retro segment has different options today to suit varied tastes and requirements. On the traditional end of the spectrum, you have options like the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 and Honda CB350 models. They are laid-back and comfortable machines which are conducive to relaxed riding. On the other hand, if you want something that looks retro but goes like a thoroughly modern machine, the Triumph Speed 400 and Speed T4 come into the picture. The Speed 400 has better componentry, a higher performance ceiling and also costs more. The T4 is a simpler machine, but it still has decent pep in its step, and its engine suits the neo-retro theme more. A test ride of these bikes should help you decide which is the best fit for you.