I am ready to buy a new Himalayan 450 right now. Given that it is E20 compatible, is it safe to buy today? If the government mandates a higher ethanol blend (greater than 20%) in a couple of years, is this still the right time to buy, or should I wait?

autocar.india

•1h

While the Royal Enfield Meteor 350's low seat height is surely welcoming, owing to its feet-forward riding position, you will feel more of the road imperfections you encounter. We'd recommend you instead look at the Bullet / Classic from RE's stable, as these bikes have more upright, natural riding triangles which will be useful over the long daily commute your father faces. The Honda CB350s offer a similar riding experience but are lighter and easier to manage. Given that your daily commute is quite long and likely to involve bad patches too, a motorcycle would be the more comfortable alternative to a scooter. However, if you must have an electric scooter, choose from proven options like the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta / Konarc and Vida VX2.

autocar.india

•6h

The upcoming Duster Hybrid is an interesting option, and if the petrol version is anything to go by, expect stellar ride-handling balance and a larger boot than the Hyryder. Also, as a four-cylinder engine, it is likely to be a touch more refined than Toyota's 3-cylinder unit, but we'll have to wait and test it before passing judgment.Sure, the Hyryder Hybrid is a proven product with a strong track record, and Toyota's reputation for reliability and low maintenance costs makes it a very sensible long-term ownership proposition. But since the Duster hybrid is something you're keen on, we'll recommend waiting for it to launch and making your decision only once you've tested both cars. However, if you can't wait, then the Hyryder hybrid is a sensible pick.

Renault Duster

Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder

autocar.india

•23m

The Suzuki V-Strom SX is surely a good option for your needs. It is light, has a peppy engine and comfortable ergonomics - factors that will give you confidence over mixed road conditions. You should also consider the Hero Motocorp Xpulse 210 because it will be vastly better at tackling bad roads than the V-Strom without sacrificing on-road behaviour too much. Take a test ride of both to help make an informed decision.