I currently own the KTM Duke 390 Gen 3 and want to upgrade, but I’m confused about which bike to choose. I feel I might miss the Duke’s power and performance. I am considering the Kawasaki Z650 or Honda 650 as upgrade options. Please advise.

Autocar India

•12w

Since you own a KTM 390 Duke and have spoken about its performance, we'll put that parameter at the forefront when recommending some options. The Kawasaki Z650, while a quick, light and premium machine, can feel a little dull if you're stepping up from the fast KTM. While the Honda CB / CBR 650 models are now knocking on the door of 100hp, they are also quite heavy machines, and the engine is rather peaky, which means that you'll really have to work for the performance.

In the Honda lineup, we suggest you look at the CB750 Hornet, as that is a punchy and lightweight machine that will feel like a good step up from the 390 Duke.

You can also take a look at the Suzuki GSX-8R because even though its spec sheet is quite modest, in the real world, this is a very fun machine that doesn't sacrifice practicality too much. Another option in the same segment is the Triumph Daytona 660, which is also a relaxed, real-world usable sportbike with engaging performance.

If you want to break the 100hp barrier well and truly, bikes like the Triumph Street Triple R and Kawasaki Z900 are the most affordable options. The former is an accomplished track machine, while the latter will be a sublime road bike owing to its creamy smooth engine and plush suspension.

We recommend a thorough test ride of all bikes before you choose to go ahead.

Explore bikes mentioned

Kawasaki

Z650

from ₹8.00 Lakh

Honda Bikes

Hornet 750

from ₹10.12 Lakh

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Latest questions in the community

Dharmender Kaushik

•5d

I want to buy a 125-150 cc bike. My height is 165 cm. I want it for the daily office commute. I want a bike with low seat height, not too high, with a refined engine, decent mileage of 45+ and with ABS.

Autocar India

•16h

Pretty much every single 150-160cc commuter comes with at least single-channel ABS, so that won't be a deciding factor for you. Our top picks in this class are the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V if you want something sportier and feature-rich. If you want to stick to a simple, no-nonsense machine, then the Honda Unicorn remains a safe bet. If ridden sensibly, you should see in excess of 45kpl for all of these 150cc bikes.In the 125cc class, if having ABS is non-negotiable, then your options are restricted to the TVS Raider and Honda CB125 Hornet. Of these three, the TVS is our top recommendation. The 125s will be quite fuel-efficient, and you'll seldom see a mileage figure below 50kpl, no matter your riding style.You should first decide which segment you want to stick with and then take a test ride of the bikes accordingly before you make a decision.

TVS Raider

Bajaj Pulsar N160

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Honda Bikes CB125 Hornet

Rainak Sharma

•2d

I am 5ft 4 inches in height. Which Royal Enfield would be suitable for me so that I don't have to tiptoe? I was thinking Meteor 350.

Autocar India

•1d

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has a very manageable 765mm seat height, which should suit your stature. But if you want the lowest 350cc Royal Enfield bike, then it would be the Goan Classic. The Goan has an even lower 750mm perch, which will be even easier to flatfoot.Do bear in mind that the Goan Classic's handlebars are taller than usual, and this is something you should pay attention to on a test ride. We'd advise taking test rides of both the Meteor and Goan and pick whichever one suits you best and the one you prefer the look of more.

Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

Selvakumar

•1w

I’m a long-time Autocar fan and a 5’10” rider planning to replace my 2015 Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 with a more practical maxi-scooter for daily commuting and errands. My main priorities are comfort and fuel efficiency. I am currently considering the Yamaha Aerox 155 and the Hero Xoom 160. Which one would you recommend? Also, would it be worth waiting for the Yamaha Nmax 155, or is there a better alternative I should consider?

Autocar India

•5d

In our experience, neither the Yamaha Aerox 155 nor the Hero Xoom 160 have proven to be comfortable, especially over broken roads. Instead of these two, we'd recommend you give a long, hard look at the TVS Ntorq 150. On paper, it might seem like a step down compared to the Yamaha and Hero with its 12-inch wheels and air-cooled engine, but in reality, it is the better product. With plush suspension, a spacious underseat storage and peppy performance, the bigger Ntorq makes for a compelling sporty scooter that doesn't sacrifice practicality. In our routine tests, we also found that - when ridden gently - it can be surprisingly fuel efficient. Do take a test ride of the Ntorq 150 to see if it resonates with you.

Yamaha Aerox 155

Hero MotoCorp Xoom 160

TVS Ntorq 150

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