I am a third-year college student, and I've always wanted a bike. My dream bike is the KTM Duke 390, but I've settled on the Duke 250 because it seems easier to own. I will have to ask my parents to buy it for me, and I feel guilty about that, but I also can't let go of the dream of owning a KTM. My parents have set a budget of Rs. 2 lakh, while the Duke 250 costs around Rs. 2.7 lakh. Is it worth stretching the budget? Also, what is the best lower-capacity bike that offers an aggressive performance like a KTM? I don't like the Yamaha R15 because the riding position feels too cramped.

autocar.india

•1d

Electric motorcycles do make sense for daily predictable city commutes with a fixed distance and secure charging. There's no hassle of changing gears and modulating the clutch, and your running costs are also pleasingly low. However, it seems like you want to venture out farther from your home in Pune, in which case a petrol motorcycle is the more enjoyable choice. The Harley-Davidson X440 is a wonderful machine because it is one of the last authentic, air-cooled, long-stroke, single-cylinder experiences available today, and since you are looking to buy a machine that you can build a cherished bond with over time, it has the right ingredients to make that happen. Stepping up from a 125cc machine, you will also appreciate the step up in performance and comfort it has to offer you. From the Triumph stable, we'd recommend you take a good, long look at the 350cc Scrambler 400 models because they are great city machines that can also prove to be good fun on the highway and when the road turns squiggly. If you want a properly sporty riding experience, then the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 are good options to consider, and these will be - by far - the fastest and sharpest machines from the ones listed here.Make sure to take exhaustive test rides of all machines before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•6d

Go for the Hyundai Venue 1.0 Turbo DCT. As a first-time buyer who has just learned driving, you want something that is easy to handle, not too big and still offers good ground clearance for Hyderabad roads. The Hyundai Venue fits that brief perfectly.It is compact enough to be easy to park and manoeuvre, while still offering a comfortable seating position for a 6-foot-tall driver and enough space for a family of four with two toddlers. The automatic gearbox in this Hyundai car is smooth, easy to use in city traffic, and low running costs make it a very sensible first car. The Skoda Kylaq automatic is also worth considering.

Hyundai Venue

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•1d

Since you already have a steadfast family scooter in the Suzuki Access 125, opting for another one of its ilk in the Honda Activa 125, which will give you more or less a very similar, if not identical, ownership experience, would be like going into a huge candy store and still opting to buy two of the same toffees when there's so much variety to be had.We'd recommend you change things up a little and opt for the TVS Ntorq 125. It is a fun, engaging, and sporty-feeling scooter, yet it does not compromise on practicality, comfort, or everyday convenience.