I am planning to buy a new motorcycle, and my priorities are reliability, good fuel efficiency, and low cost of ownership. I am currently confused between the Honda Unicorn 160 and the Bajaj Pulsar N160 (single-seat, single-channel ABS variant). Which of these two would be the better choice? Also, are there any other motorcycles in this segment that I should consider based on my requirements?

autocar.india

•4d

We know you are inclined towards an electric scooter but today the tiny pool of e-scooters that have ABS aren't very convincing options, despite their hefty price tags. Your options are Keeway Hypevolt-R, Yamaha Aerox E and TVS X, all of which (while they do fit in your budget) are quite expensive for what they offer you. Instead, since you have super low running, we'd strongly urge you to consider a hassle-free option like the Suzuki Access 125. Not only will you save a big chunk of money, ICE scooter maintainance is fairly straightforward with your low usage and given that the Access is a very popular option, sourcing parts and spares should be a quick and inexpensive affair. If you must have an EV with ABS, you should decide between the three options suggested above based on which one has a dealership & service centre near your residence.

autocar.india

•1d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Wagon R. With no daily running and a tight budget, you want a car that is easy to park, reliable and cheap to maintain. The Wagon R is compact, which makes it much easier to squeeze into tight parking spots in crowded areas. It is also very easy to drive, has a light clutch and is extremely affordable to run and maintain. Maruti’s service network is the best in the country, so you will not have to worry about finding a service centre nearby. The engine is peppy enough for city driving, and the car is simple and fuss-free, which is exactly what you want for your first car. At around Rs 7 lakh, it fits your budget comfortably and leaves room for a higher variant.If you want something slightly bigger, the Hyundai Exter is a solid choice, but you will be looking at the base variant within your budget. The Maruti Suzuki car mentioned above is the more rounded package for your needs.

Maruti Suzuki Wagon R

Hyundai Exter

autocar.india

•5d

Congratulations on your new KTM 390 Duke R - we're sure you're in for a hair-raising journey. Let’s break down the charges:Municipality Charges: This is not a standard charge everywhere, but some cities levy a small fee at the time of registration, usually for road maintenance or local transport infrastructure. It’s typically a few hundred rupees and is collected by the RTO. If it’s a significant amount, ask the dealer for a breakup or check with your local RTO agent.5-year extended warranty: This is a genuine KTM-backed product, but it’s important to understand what it covers. It’s essentially an extension of the standard warranty, but after the initial period, it usually covers only major engine and gearbox components, not wear-and-tear items like clutch plates, brake pads or consumables. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on your ownership plans. If you plan to keep the bike long-term and keep it stock, then it's definitely worth shelling out the small amount, as it will give you peace of mind in the long run.HYPO: This is a hypothecation charge, which is only applicable if you’re taking a loan. If you’re buying the bike outright, you don’t need to pay this.A couple of additional tips: check if the insurance premium quoted is competitive – you can often get a better deal by buying it yourself online. Also, ask for a detailed breakup of the “handling” or “logistics” charges - if you don't seem convinced by these, tell the dealer to remove them.Overall, most of these charges are legitimate, and some we would even recommend you spend on (like the extended warranty), but it’s always worth asking for a detailed breakup and questioning anything that doesn’t make sense. Happy riding!