Samba

•5w

I am a new rider and am planning to buy the new Honda Rebel with the e-Clutch as my first bike. Should I go for the Rebel 300 or wait for the Rebel 500 which is expected to launch next February? I do not want a heavy bike like my brother's Super Meteor 650. I just want something cool and fun to ride. Also, will I be comfortable on a Rebel as I am 6 feet tall?

•5w

If this is to be your very first motorcycle, it makes more sense to go for the smaller Honda Rebel 300 over the bigger 500, although the 500 can also work as your first bike if you plan to keep it for many years but the learning curve will be quite steep in the initial days of your motorcycling journey. Both the Rebel models are much lighter than the comparable Royal Enfield bike so weight really isn't the issue. Coming to whether you will fit on the Rebel, we can't yet comment on that as we haven't been able to spend some quality seat time on either of them. We suggest you wait until both are available in a showroom near you and take a test ride before you make a decision.

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Honda Bikes

Rebel 300

from ₹2.62 Lakh

Honda Bikes

Rebel 500

from ₹4.75 Lakh

•5w•

@autocar.india Thanks for the advice! I will wait until they arrive at the showroom, and I looking forward to your review on the channel.

•5w•

@abhijitgupta Go for Rebel 500 because You will always remain hungry for better power. Atleast the power your daily or frequent trips need. But once you buy rebel 300, again after some years or months you will feel that rebel 500 would be more powerful and somehow you will be at that end again. So better go with 500 which will satisfy you on the 1st go. Ofcourse human always need bigger day by day. It is a endless process. But once u get more than your requirement then you will be quite happy with what you have. This is human psychology. I am not a psychiatrist 😛 but i have felt this so sharing it with you. Btw i have also sold my interceptor after driving it just for 5k km. Bcos it was way too heavy and doesnt fit my height properly. Looking forward to buy Rebel 500. Checking daily updates everywhere 😄 but Autocar always bring trustworthy news. If i am gonna know this launching time very precisely or pricing i would be happy to hear by #autocar

•5w•

@sd_india yeah I was thinking the same thing.

•5w•

The upcoming rebel 500 would be E20 compliant or flex fuel ?

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•3d

Hi, I’m planning to buy a new bike during Dussehra and am confused between the R15 and Xtreme. I really like both R15 and Xtreme and feel that either could be used for touring. However, I’m hesitant about the R15 because I’ve seen reviews mentioning that its light weight can affect highway handling and that it may not be ideal on steep inclines. At the same time, we know the R15 can be taken on tours, whereas I’m not sure whether the Xtreme would be equally suitable for touring. We also know that Splendor is reliable. I had also shortlisted the XMR 210 and really liked it, but it is out of production. So, should I go for the R15 or Xtreme?

•12h

In theory, with enough determination and some out-of-the-box thinking, you could take any two-wheeler on a long-distance tour. The Yamaha R15 is a sorted, proven supersport but as a tourer, it will leave you wanting in more than one area. On the other hand, the Hero Xtreme 250R packs in lovely handling with comfy ergos and absorptive suspension which will certainly help you cover longer distances in greater comfort. The Xtreme's larger engine is also punchier and will be less stressed at highway speeds than the R15's. However, as you pointed out, the Hero's reliability has been rather patchy and it seems to be a sporadic issue depending on the unit. If you can go to your nearest Hero dealer and get some assurances about the reliability of the Xtreme as well as a good roadside assistance package then perhaps you should consider it. However, if you aren't convinced look for similar options from KTM 200 Duke or 250 Duke or even the Yamaha MT-15 and XSR155 which will all be sporty, yet comfortable machines that are reliable and can be taken touring without a second thought.

Yamaha R15S

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 250R

I am almost a beginner driver and planning to buy a used automatic car under a budget of around Rs. 8.5 lakh. My usage will be roughly 70% city and 30% highway driving. My main priorities are a decent automatic and good safety. I have ended up considering a 2023 Tata Punch AMT, but I’ve heard that it can feel underpowered and may not inspire much confidence while overtaking on highways. I have also heard about the AMT being jerky. Would love to hear from anyone who has owned or regularly driven a Punch AMT. How has your experience been, especially with highway driving?

•10h

The Tata Punch AMT is a city car, thanks to its high seating and light controls, but your concerns are valid. The AMT gearbox is not very smooth, and the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine feels underpowered on the highway, especially during overtaking.Given your budget of Rs 8.5 lakh and your 70% city, 30% highway usage, we would recommend looking at a used Maruti Suzuki Brezza AT or a used Toyota Urban Cruiser AT instead. Both are essentially the same car underneath, powered by a 1.5 petrol engine and offer a proper 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which is much smoother and easier to live with than an AMT.You could also consider a used example of the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT - it is newer, easy to drive, has a smooth automatic and the turbo-petrol makes performance feel effortless.

Which bike should I choose to replace my CB350 for weekend rides, with 80-120 kph cruising ability, peppy performance and good refinement for fatigue-free riding? I have taken the test drive of V-Storm SX but didn't like it. I’m considering the KTM Adv 390 (350cc), KTM Adv 398cc, Himalayan 450, Tuono 457 and Versys X300. Off-road usage will be minimal and refinement will be an added advantage for fatigue free riding under Rs. 3-5 lakh budget. Among these bikes, which one will you suggest?

•12h

From the adventure bikes you've shortlisted, the KTM 390 Adventure X (398cc) and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are our top picks. The KTM has a sportier character while the RE is more well-rounded. The Aprilia Tuono 457 is a sublime motorcycle but service is on the pricier side and dealer network too is far smaller than established Indian and Japanese brands. Depending on the sort of rider you are, after taking a test ride of all three, you should make your decision.

KTM 390 Adventure X

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition

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Popular discussions right now

•2d

Hi, I am 35 years old. I have a sitting job in IT. Could you please suggest most comfortable bike in suspension considering I suffer from back and neck pain at work that increases while riding in city as well as my height (169 cm) and weight (68 kg) on city roads in India. Please consider city potholes. I will have to travel 20km daily in weekdays till Friday and on weekends, it will be 200 km. Earlier, I had Yamaha FZ S FI but I no longer own it. Now I own my father's Hero Super Splendor XTEC only. I was checking out Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350, Honda CB350 H'ness, Triumph Speed 400, etc. I had taken the test drive of Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 (2024 Model), but for my weight, during road bumping, it directly transfers shock and and vibration to my back. Please suggest your valuable feedback.

•13h

In our experience, all of the bikes you have shortlisted (aside from the Meteor to some extent) have proven to be adept at shielding the rider from road imperfections. Since you have mentioned that the Classic isn't doing the trick for you, perhaps it could mean that for your physique a bike with a different riding position may be the solution. Take a test ride of the Hunter 350, which now has very absorptive suspension and a similar feel from the engine. You should also consider the Harley-Davidson X440 (splurge for the nicer looking T if you can) as that bike also has a comfortable suspension setup and seating posture.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Harley Davidson X440

•1d

Hi Autocar India, I’m planning to buy my first proper motorcycle and I’d really like your recommendation based on my overall riding style rather than just a comparison between two bikes. I’m based in Hyderabad and my maximum budget is around Rs. 3-3.5 lakh on-road. My regular usage would be around 20-30 km a day in the city for roughly 20 days a month, but I also want to go for regular highway rides and occasional 300-600 km trips. I’m interested in doing longer rides such as Ladakh, although I’m not looking for hardcore off-roading. My priorities are strong acceleration and good pickup and therefore, I don’t want a bike that feels underpowered while overtaking or riding with a pillion/luggage. I want a bike that is comfortable for highway cruising at around 90-120 km/h with good stability and comfort for long-distance. The bike should offer reasonable mileage and manageable running costs. I am looking for bike that can handle both city riding and touring without being too tiring. Reliability and good service support are also important because I plan to keep the bike for several years. I’m okay with a heavier motorcycle if the weight is manageable while moving. I’m open to singles or twins and even 300-600cc if the bike genuinely suits my requirements. Styling is also important to me. I don’t particularly want the most common KTM/Duke-type motorcycle on the road. I like motorcycles with a distinctive, mature or premium character. I’m increasingly interested in cruisers and bobbers as well such as the Honda Rebel 300, Harley-Davidson X440, Dominar 400, etc. but I’m not fixed on a cruiser. I also like bikes such as the V-Strom and sport-tourers, so I’m genuinely open to different categories. I’ve considered bikes such as the Dominar 400, V-Strom 250, Himalayan 450, X440, Apache RR 310, Ninja 300, Rebel 300 and some KTM Adventure models. I’m finding it difficult because every bike has a different compromise. I’d therefore like your honest expert recommendation: if you were choosing one motorcycle for my exact usage, budget, riding style and long-term plans, which bikes would you shortlist and why? Please consider performance, highway cruising, comfort, touring ability, city usability, reliability, mileage, service/ownership costs and whether the bike will still feel satisfying after a few years. Also, if you think I’m approaching the purchase from the wrong category entirely, please tell me that and suggest what type of motorcycle I should actually be looking at. I’m not simply looking for the bike with the biggest engine or the highest specifications but I want the motorcycle that makes the most sense for the way I will actually ride.

•14h

You seem like someone who is going to use the bike for a variety of purposes, so getting a capable adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 would be our first recommendation. The Himalayan is an effortless machine both on the highway and inside the city, so long as you are cognizant of and comfortable with its size and heft. If you want a similar alternative in the neo-retro world, the Harley-Davidson X440 is a good option to consider. Similarly, it would also be prudent to wait for the imminent arrival of the Honda CB500, as that has the makings of being a do-it-all and capable neo-retro machine. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Honda Bikes CB500

Harley Davidson X440

•6d

I’ve already fitted this setup on my FZ25: a Michelin Pilot Street 2 at the front and an Apollo Tramplr XR at the rear. I initially considered using the Tramplr XR at both ends, but after hearing from several FZ25 owners about wobbling and high-speed instability with the XR on the front, I decided against it. Since these are two different types of tread patterns, is this combination okay, or could it affect the bike’s handling, stability or cornering?

•17h

Yes, this is a perfectly sensible combination for the FZ25. The Michelin Pilot Street 2 is a well-proven front tyre with a neutral profile and good wet grip, which helps with stability and predictable steering. The Apollo Tramplr XR is a more aggressive, blockier pattern that works well on the rear, offering good traction and durability without compromising stability. The concerns about the XR front are valid as some owners have reported a slightly vague feel at higher speeds, which is why your current setup actually makes sense. The FZ25 is not a high-strung performance bike, so this mixed setup will not cause any handling issues. The only thing to keep in mind is that the XR rear may wear a bit faster if you do a lot of highway riding, but overall this is a well-balanced and safe combination.

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