Mumbai

ARUN

•21w

My father has been using a Yamaha SZ-R since 2011 and it’s now due for replacement. He is over 60, so I’m thinking of buying a 125cc bike for mixed use on both highways and rural roads. He doesn’t want a scooter. Please suggest a no-nonsense machine that will offer a comfortable ride for him and a pillion.

Autocar India

•20w

In the 125cc commuter bike segment, if you want a straightforward, simple machine, your best bet would be the Honda Shine. This is a machine that has proven its dependability over the many years. It has been on sale and will be reasonably comfortable for two-up riding, as well as return excellent fuel economy. You can also take a look at its more stylish sibling, the SP125. It is mechanically very similar but gets a few more features.

While you have said you want a simple, no-nonsense machine, the funky-looking TVS Raider is an option we would also strongly urge you to take a look at. It may look flashy, but as a commuter, it works extremely well and will serve you well.

The lower versions come with a single-piece seat, which will be slightly better for two-up riding. If you want the highest level of safety, then the top models come with single-channel ABS, which is a worthwhile feature to have.

Take your father for a test ride of these bikes and see which one suits him best before making a decision.

Explore bikes mentioned

Honda Bikes

Shine 100

from ₹80,336

Honda Bikes

SP 125

from ₹1.08 Lakh

TVS

Raider

from ₹1.01 Lakh

New bike launches to explore

KTM 390 Adventure

₹2.81 Lakhs

KTM 390 Duke

₹2.77 Lakhs

Bajaj Avenger 220 Street

₹1.30 Lakhs

Royal Enfield Bullet 650

₹3.65 Lakhs

Suzuki Burgman Street

₹1.02 - ₹1.13 Lakhs

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More questions on similar bikes

Kaushik Mallick

•1d

Hi Autocar. I recently bought an R3 and will mainly use it for solo rides. Now I need a touring motorcycle that is comfortable for a pillion as well. I am quite short, and I want a bike with performance similar to my R3. I generally do not prefer retro-style motorcycles. Performance and pillion comfort are important. My budget is around Rs 4 lakh. Kindly suggest.

Autocar India

•5h

An ADV is the logical recommendation usually for your query, and we'd normally recommend options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300. These bikes will fit your criteria quite nicely and offer you similar performance to your R3.However, since you have said you are on the shorter side and you want something more manageable for your stature, the only option you have realistically is the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400. The Dominar has a low 800mm seat height, and while it weighs as much or more than the aforementioned options, since it is a lower bike, you'll be able to manage it better. Do bear in mind that the Dominar is a much simpler, older and more affordable machine than the three ADVs mentioned above, and you will feel that. To assess whether or not the Dominar should be your next bike, take your preferred pillion along with you on a test ride of all the options listed above. Then, depending on what you feel, go ahead with the bike that suits you guys best.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Chitra N

I am planning to buy a new scooter, but I am a bit skeptical because the government is considering introducing E85/E100 ethanol-blended fuel in the future. What is your advice on this?

Autocar India

•3d

While the government has started the roll-out of E85/E100, these higher blends won’t replace regular E20 petrol at your local pump. These higher blends need tailored flex‑fuel engines and materials to be compatible. For now, E20 is going to stick around and remain available nationwide.

Rajesh Roshan

•1w

My daily running is around 60km. Is an electric scooter the right choice for me? If yes, which one would you recommend?

Autocar India

•4d

There are plenty of options in the electric scooter market that will comfortably meet your needs. We'd recommend you choose from reputed options like TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta and Vida VX2. All of them are offered in a range of variants with different battery capacities, so pick an option with a battery capacity in the 3kWh - 3.5kWh ballpark.Our advice would be to take test rides of all four and pick the option you get along with the best. Try to choose an option with a service centre or showroom near you; this is an important factor in EV ownership.

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Popular discussions right now

Shashank

•1w

Hi Autocar India Team, I am planning to buy a Honda motorcycle and would like your opinion on long-term ownership (5+ years). I am confused between: 1. Honda H'ness CB350 (E20 compatible) 2. Honda CB300F Flex-Fuel (E85 compatible) My usage will be daily commuting, college rides, and occasional long trips. I am more concerned about future fuel availability, reliability, resale value, maintenance, and overall ownership experience in India over the next 5 years. Considering India's fuel roadmap and infrastructure, which bike would you recommend and why? Thank you.

Autocar India

•3d

First things first, E20 petrol is going to stick around for the foreseeable future, and while multiple higher ethanol blends are likely to be introduced later, E20 will be the baseline, which will be available predominantly at all fuel pumps in the country. Therefore, if you buy an E20-compliant vehicle, then you can safely use it for the coming years. Secondly, the CB300F Flex Fuel - as well as the standard E20-compliant variant - has been removed from Honda's website, and it is quite likely that the model has been discontinued, although perhaps some dealers may have leftover stocks depending on the region.

Ajith

•4d

Which is the best commuter bike for long rides, good mileage, and reduced back strain? I currently ride a Yamaha FZ Version 2. My budget is between Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 1.5 lakh. Please suggest suitable options.

Autocar India

•4d

In the 150/160cc commuter bike segment, options like the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160 are great bets if you want your commuter to pack in a little bit of spice and some feel-good features like a USD fork, TFT display and the like. These bikes are also quite fuel efficient and comfortable, making them good daily-use machines. If, on the other hand, you want a simple, no-nonsense commuter, then we'd advise you to look at the Honda Unicorn / SP160. Both are mechanically very similiar but the SP has more features and sharper styling than the Unicorn which has the same silhouette since it debuted 20 years ago. Depending on the sort of bike you prefer, make a choice between these three. To make an informed decision, we'd recommend test rides of all three before you make your purchase.

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Bajaj Pulsar N160

Honda Bikes Unicorn

Honda Bikes SP160

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Posted on: 22 Jan 2026