Hello, I am an avid Autocar India reader and a regular visitor to www.autocarindia.com. I also enjoy your podcasts. I wish to buy a 100cc motorcycle. Currently, I ride a Honda Dio and previously used the Splendor and Platina. Now, I have shortlisted the Honda Shine 100 and the TVS Sport. My usage will be strictly city-centric, approximately 10 to 40 km daily. My expectations are comfort, good suspension, easy maintenance, fuel efficiency, and reliability. Kindly guide me. Thank you.

Autocar India

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For the best ride comfort, we'd recommend you choose between the TVS Jupiter 110 /125 and Suzuki Access models. Both have very good seating and suspension comfort but the Jupiter's larger 12-in rear wheel helps it round off bigger bumps a little better than the Access. The Jupiter's rear monoshock also has a handy winged preload adjuster which makes tailoring the suspension easier depending on the load you're carrying. The Access' upside is, that its seating position is more spacious and will serve taller riders better and its suspension composure is on par with the TVS. Take a test ride of both scooters to see which one suits you better and then make your decision.

Autocar India

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Since you've mentioned that parking is a hassle and you rarely venture beyond the city's confines, the logical move would be to swap your Triumph Speed 400 with an Ultraviolette X-47 for your extended daily commute. Specifically, the Original Plus variant would be our recommendation because it has enough range for your use case and comes with an on-board charger which means you don't need to lug around the bulky charger with you wherever you go. While this is certainly the logical thing to do, you should still keep a couple of trade-offs in mind. You will lose the sensations, sound and character of a petrol engine and the ability to do a long, last-minute ride without planning charging stops. Also, Ultraviolette’s service and charging network is still smaller than established brands, though being in Bengaluru helps as the brand is headquartered here.

Autocar India

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Both bikes have individual strengths and weaknesses, so you'll have to choose your bike depending on what you can live with and without. The (now 350cc) Triumph Scrambler 400 X can be an all-rounder if you want, but it excels in city situations. On the highway, once you cross the triple-digit threshold, you can feel the engine starting to cross its comfort zone and start to feel a little strained with vibrations creeping in progressively. The KTM 390 Adventure (398cc version) remains a proven bet to stick with as a do-it-all machine, although inside the city at slower speeds and lower revs, the engine can feel a little gutless below 4,000rpm. However, on the highway it will deliver the same performance we've come to know and expect from KTM 390s and remains a good option for weekend rides and touring.When it comes to seat height and ergonomics, this KTM bike again has the upper hand because it is a little easier to get your feet down than on the Triumph bike. Do keep in mind that physically, the Adventure is a larger machine than the Scrambler and inside the city filtering through tight gaps, you'll feel that size. We haven't yet ridden the 350cc KTM 390 Adventure and we'd advise you to get a test ride of both bikes to get a clearer idea before you make a decision.

Autocar India

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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.

Autocar India

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Since you have a rather long daily commute and don't want to go for a neo-retro machine, an adventure bike makes good sense. Your previously shortlisted - but no longer available - options indicate that you were looking to get something in the 250-300cc space. In that vein, we'd recommend you look at the TVS Apache RTX 300. The RTX is a comfortable, quick and feature-laden machine which will also return decent fuel economy if ridden sensibly. In a similiar vein, you should also look at the KTM 250 Adventure and the base 390 Adventure (350cc) models, depending on your usage and budget. A test ride of these options will help you narrow down which bike is best for you.

Autocar India

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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.