Autocar India
3d

Hi, I currently own a Hero Duet BS3 model. My current weekly running is around 80 km, most of which is within the city. Due to the current petrol prices, my weekly fuel bill is around Rs 400. Would it be financially viable for me to switch to an electric scooter given my usage?

Verified
4m

From what you have told us, it seems that your Hero Duet's engine is consuming an unusually large amount of fuel for the distance you are covering. Our first suggestion would be to get it serviced properly and see if this changes anything. If it doesn't, given your low weekly run, getting a new petrol scooter like a JupiterAccess or Activa would make more sense than switching to a more expensive electric bike. The high initial cost you shell out for the e-scooter will take years to recoup with your limited use. 

Nevertheless, if your next vehicle must be an EV, then choose from proven brands like TVSBajaj, Ather and Hero.

TVS Jupiter

TVS Jupiter

More posts on similar bikes

5d

We would like to buy a scooter for a female member of our family. She has been using an Activa for many years, and it is still running well. However, I’m not very happy with its safety and would like to upgrade to a better and safer scooter. I’m currently considering the Ather Apex, while she has a slight preference for the Vespa. However, I’m not sure about Vespa’s reliability. The nearest Vespa service centre is around 10 km away. Would it be possible to get a Vespa serviced and maintained by a local mechanic? Please advise which scooters we should consider. Our budget is around Rs 2-3 lakh.

Verified
7h

Since the person you are shopping for prefers a neo-retro styled scooter, consider options like the Yamaha Fascino and Suzuki Access. Both have appealing designs and are frugal, reliable, comfortable and lightweight machines which should serve you well. The Fascino is one of the lightest ICE scooters on sale and if ease of use is a top priority, then the Yamaha edges ahead. We'd recommend you go take a test ride of both before making your decision. Coming to the Ather 450 Apex, it will surely offer a step up in terms of performance and features but in terms of practicality and comfort, you might be losing some ground here. Also, its sharp brakes are prone to locking up, which isn't ideal. And no, a roadside mechanic cannot repair a cutting-edge electric scooter, you have to go to the authorised service centres for that. Moving on to the Vespa, Piaggio's scooters are good to ride but their purchase and ownership costs are significantly higher than the mainstream brands. If you are okay with this, then you may go ahead with your purchase.

Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi
Suzuki Access
Ather 450 Apex
6d

I’m 38 years old and 5'6" tall. I’ve been riding a Honda Shine 125 for about a decade and now want to upgrade to a bigger bike. I really like the Triumph Speed 400, but I’ve heard that its maintenance costs can be high. I’m also considering the Bajaj Dominar 400, Pulsar NS200, and Royal Enfield Classic 350. Please help me choose the right bike based on my requirements. I’m also open to other suggestions. I plan to keep the bike for at least 8 years, so long-term reliability and maintenance costs are important to me.

Verified
6h

Since you are going to keep your next purchase for a long time and are coming from a Shine, we'd advise you to consider with the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The Classic is a simple, fuss-free motorcycle which should be easy and inexpensive to maintain. This Royal Enfield bike will also offer you a step up in terms of comfort, features and road presence from your Shine although, expectedly, its fuel efficiency will be lower owing to its larger engine. If you want something sportier, then consider the KTM 250 Duke. The quarter-litre Duke has approachable yet exciting performance and will allow you to grow into it as time passes. This KTM bike has great handling, cool tech like a colour TFT display and bidirectional quickshifter and its zingy engine can also be rather fuel efficient with sensible riding. These are two starkly different machines and depending on your preferences, pick between them. A test ride of both should help you decide which one is right for you.

Royal Enfield Classic 350
KTM 250 Duke

Posted on: 5 Sept 2026