I am 31 years old and have been using a 2016 Jupiter for the last 9 years. I now want to shift to a mid-range bike around 150cc. My riding pattern is around 60km per day, five days a week, with about 70% normal traffic and the remaining in heavy traffic. Can you advise me on the best options available in Hyderabad with a mileage of around 45kmpl? I am 5'10" with a lean build. I have been riding a 2018 Gixxer (my cousin’s) for the last month and generally feel comfortable on it, though I experience slight lower back pain occasionally. Also, please advise on the XSR 155.

Autocar India

•1h

In your budget, we'd suggest considering either the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V or Bajaj Pulsar N160 for your use case. Both bikes have refined, punchy engines, good seating and suspension comfort and will also return good fuel economy when you ride sensibly. One point to bear in mind is that if you're a taller person, the Apache's seat-to-footpeg distance can feel a little cramped, in which case opting for the more spacious Pulsar will be our recommendation. If the sporty look of these two doesn't appeal to you and you want a simpler, more affordable machine then the Honda Unicorn is a tried and trusted option that's very hard to go wrong with. We'd recommend taking a test ride of all three before you make your decision to understand each one's strengths and weaknesses.

Autocar India

•1d

While both the Yamaha options you have shortlisted have their own strong points, neither would be the best fit for your usage, in our opinion. Considering you have a pretty lengthy daily commute in Mumbai (where the road surface by and large ranges from subpar to non-existent), we would recommend you pick a comfortable machine like the TVS Ronin or Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both have neutral ergonomics, neo-retro styling and plush suspension, which should make them well-suited for your use case. One area where both the smaller Yamaha machines will edge out the Ronin and Hunter is fuel efficiency, but aside from that, the TVS & Royal Enfield make for a better purchase. The Yamaha XSR155 is a lovely sporty neo-retro machine, but its suspension is too stiff over bad roads. The Yamaha FZ-X is a 149cc commuter, and its performance, handling, and overall feel won't be as premium as the other bikes mentioned here. Take a test ride of both the Ronin and Hunter to see which one suits you best. We also have multiple comparison reviews of the Hunter, XSR and Ronin on our channel as well as website, and we'd encourage you to take a look at them before you make your purchase.

Autocar India

•2h

Depending on your riding style, there are multiple different options to choose from in the segment you're looking at. If you're looking for a quick and sporty machine, then the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 make good sense because they have energetic performance as well as good comfort (the KTM bike will be a little less comfy than the Triumph bike in this one regard, but will have more performance). On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you prefer to ride in an unhurried fashion, then look no further than the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350, Honda CB350 models and Triumph Speed T4. These bikes have great comfort and should also be reliable in the long run.If you want something that prioritizes comfort and utility over all else, then an adventure bike is the way to go. You have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and KTM 390 Adventure models (with both 350cc and 399cc motors, depending on your needs and budgetary restrictions) in this class. In our opinion, as an all-rounder, nothing can match the versatility of the Himalayan and if you're comfortable with its size, this is definitely an option worth considering. As always, first decide what form factor appeals to you the most and will suit your usage best and then accordingly take test rides based on that before making your decision.