Mangan

•19w

I am planning to buy a commuter bike under ₹1.20 lakh. My priorities are long-term engine reliability and good mileage. I ride only around 20 km daily, so I do not care much about comfort. I have shortlisted a few bikes. Please help me choose the best one among the Honda SP 125, TVS Raider, Honda Shine 125, Hero Glamour XTEC, and Hero Xtreme 125R.

•19w

The Honda Shine 125 is one of those bikes you simply can’t go wrong with, especially if you value reliability and fuel economy above everything else. The Shine has built a strong reputation over many years in the market, and if you want a simple, no-nonsense commuting partner, it is likely to suit you well.

However, if you want something flashier, more feature-rich, and sportier-looking, we’d advise you to consider the TVS Raider. It is a 125cc commuter that is also fun to ride, and if that sounds appealing, the Raider is worth a look. The top variants also come with the added safety of single-channel ABS, which we would strongly recommend stretching for, especially on unpredictable roads.

Make a list of what you want from your next purchase and choose accordingly. A test ride of both bikes should help you make a clearer decision.

Explore bikes mentioned

Honda Bikes

Shine 125

from ₹95,002

TVS

Raider

from ₹96,338

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•3d

Hi, I am 78kg, 5ft 10in tall, and live in a Tier 3 town. My average daily commute is around 12-13km, mostly on broken roads within the town, with a pillion rider for about 6km of the journey. I currently use a BS3 Hero scooter, which I purchased in 2016. With the current fuel prices, my fuel expense is around Rs 400 per week. Given my usage and riding conditions, should I consider switching to an electric scooter?

•2d

Since your commute - though short - is mostly on broken roads, we'd recommend shifting to a motorcycle for better ride comfort. Look at options like the Honda Shine 125, Hero Super Splendor Xtec and TVS Raider, which will offer a good step up from a smaller scooter both in terms of performance and comfort. We wouldn't advise you to shift to an electric vehicle because your daily run is quite low and to recoup the additional money you'll shell out over an ICE vehicle you will take many years.

Honda Bikes Shine 125

Hero MotoCorp Super Splendor Xtec

TVS Raider

•2d

I have loved manual-transmission cars since childhood. I grew up watching people drive manual cars, and my love for cars and driving has only grown over the years. However, people keep telling me that driving a manual car in heavy city traffic can be difficult and tiring. I genuinely enjoy driving and feel that a manual car gives me a more engaging driving experience. So, what should I do? Should I accept the realities of heavy city traffic and buy an automatic, or should I follow my heart, buy a manual sedan and accept the inconvenience of driving a manual in heavy traffic? I am currently considering the Skoda Slavia 1.0 MT. Does it make sense to choose the manual given my love for driving, or would an automatic be more practical for city use?

•1d

Have you been driving regularly or are you simply fascinated by the concept of owning a manual sedan? If it is the latter, we'll recommend you to rent any self-driven manual car for a week, and replicate your daily usage with. If you're comfortable driving the manual car in traffic, then go ahead and get the car you've been longing for. A self-drive rental might seem a bit expensive but it'll help you get clarity of which transmission you should pick for the long term.The Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI MT is a good choice, but since you have a Rs 20-30 lakh budget for a sedan, we'd suggest you consider the Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo 6MT instead. The Verna's 1.5 Turbo engine is much more powerful, gearbox is smoother, and clutch is lighter than the Skoda's.

Skoda Slavia

Hyundai Verna

•6d

I’m 63 and rode a Bullet and Sherpa from 1979 to 2010, followed by a Gladiator until 2024. I now want to switch to an electric scooter. My requirements are: Removable battery No hub motor Real-world range of 100+ km on a single charge Good and reliable after-sales service Please suggest suitable options.

•2d

Currently, the only electric scooters from a reputed manufacturer to have removable batteries are Hero MotoCorp's Vida V2 and VX2 models. These scooters come in a variety of variants to choose from depending on your styling, range, and price requirements. Take test rides of both before you make a decision.

Vida V2

Vida VX2

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•1w

I’m confused between the Skoda Kushaq and Kia Seltos. My usage will be mostly on the highway, with trips planned mainly on weekends. I’m 5'8" and am looking for a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol SUV with good power, comfort, performance, suspension, handling and stability, along with an overall engaging driving experience. This will be my first car, so please suggest which one I should go for.

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI. Since your usage is mostly highway runs on weekends and you are specifically looking for power, comfort, performance, suspension, handling, stability and an overall good driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq is the better fit. The 1.5 TSI engine is strong and punchy, and the car feels genuinely engaging to drive, with good high-speed stability and a well-sorted suspension setup. It is also a slightly more compact SUV, which makes it easier to live with as a first car.The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo is also a very good car and feels more premium inside, but it is a larger SUV, and the driving experience is not as sharp or as involving as the Skoda Kushaq. Since this is your first car and your priorities are clearly performance and driving enjoyment, the Kushaq 1.5 TSI is the more satisfying choice.

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•4d

I am planning to buy a new bike, but I am confused between the RTX 300 and the KTM ADV 250. My height is 182 cm, and I am a college student and a weekend rider. I have seen several ownership reviews of the RTX 300, and many users seem to be facing issues, which has confused me. Please suggest which one would be the better choice for me.

•2d

The TVS Apache RTX 300 is surely the more capable, feature-rich and well-rounded motorcycle of the two bikes you have shortlisted. However, TVS' after-sales network is infamous for having a hit-or-miss experience and add to that, the RTX itself has been experiencing concerning issues almost a year after its launch. The KTM 250 Adventure might not be as enticing a proposition as the RTX on paper, but it remains the safer buy because it comes from a brand with a proven track record, and the bike itself has also not been reported as having widespread reliability concerns.

TVS Apache RTX

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•3d

Hi, I am looking to buy a scooter for my 71-year-old dad, who is currently using a 2012 model Activa. Kindly suggest some petrol scooters for him, as I am not considering an EV. His usage is limited to a maximum of 50-80 km per month. Please suggest some suitable options and the best one, considering ride quality and comfort for his age. Thank you in advance!

•3d

Since your father is already familiar with the venerable Activa, stepping up to the Honda Activa 125 would be a good idea. The Activa 125 is smooth, has decent comfort, will be easy to manage and hassle-free to own over a longer period. If you want a change of pace, the Suzuki Access 125 would be our recommendation. The Access has trademark strengths expected of a practical, family-oriented scooter, like being fuel-efficient, comfortable, practical and reliable, but also throws zippy performance into the mix. Take your father for test rides of both before zeroing in on your next purchase.

Honda Bikes Activa 125

Suzuki Access

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