Hello, I have been riding a 125cc bike for quite a long time now, and I’m looking to upgrade to a better-looking bike with good performance. I’m emotionally attached to my vehicle and take very good care of them, so I’m looking for something that I can enjoy and keep for a long time. Most of my riding is within Pune city traffic, but I would also like to start exploring longer rides and weekend trips, which I haven’t really done so far. I’m not very familiar with all the good options currently available in the market. I have looked at the Harley-Davidson X440 and a couple of options from Triumph, but I’m still not sure what one would suit me the best. I would really appreciate your guidance in selecting the right bike based on my riding requirements, preferences and long-term ownership perspective.

autocar.india

•1d

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.

autocar.india

•4d

We'd recommend you choose between the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, if you have a budget that stretches in the ballpark of Rs 3 lakh. Both the Speed and Guerrilla are good upgrades but have very different riding experiences so a test ride is in order to see which one you gravitate towards. The Speed is lighter, nimbler and has the more polished, refined experience overall. Meanwhile, the Guerrilla is our ranks quite high in terms of bang for buck in the affordable performance game. Its torquey 452cc motor makes for effortless brisk riding and its chassis is well-suited to riding in a sporty fashion when the road turns squiggly. If you instead want a more cost-effective option, look at the KTM 250 Duke. The quarter-liter Duke is a bike that promises sublime handling, an engine that is reasonably punchy without sacrificing usability or fuel efficiency and a good amount of tech.

autocar.india

•4d

Of the two, the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X is surely the more capable machine in most scenarios but if you like the Honda CB350RS more, you should definitely go for the Honda. Especially, since you are only going to use it for your daily commute. The CB is likely to be more fuel efficient than the Scrambler, especially inside the city, although fuel economy is something that's quite variable and depends on your riding style, prevailing traffic and weather conditions as well as a myriad of other factors. There is also the fact that the Honda is much more affordable than the Triumph, and if you're mainly going to be using it in the city, then the added premium that the Scrambler commands may not feel justified, as you will rarely explore the full breadth of its capabilities.