Latest questions answered by experts

Autocar India

•26m

Yes, every once in a while, you can sit on a bike that’s on its side stand, but do it with care. The side stand is made to hold the bike’s weight at a lean and not to take extra load over and above that. If you sit often or put a lot of weight or sit in a way that puts a lot of weight on the stand, the stand itself or its mount can bend and crack over time, and the bike can tip over if enough force is applied to a crumbling side stand.If you must sit, keep it short, do it on flat, hard ground, turn the handlebar fully to the left, and keep the bike in gear so it does not roll. Keep your feet steady on the ground. Avoid rocking the bike or having more than one person sit on it. Don’t do this on a slope, soft mud, wet tiles or hot tar that can let the stand sink into the surface. If the stand’s foot is small, place a flat stone or something large and flat under it to increase its surface area. For longer waits, use the centre stand if your bike has one. Or just find another place to sit, realistically you should be able to find a bench or some waiting area nearby, it’s much safer.

Autocar India

•56m

For the best ride comfort, we'd recommend you choose between the TVS Jupiter 110 /125 and Suzuki Access models. Both have very good seating and suspension comfort but the Jupiter's larger 12-in rear wheel helps it round off bigger bumps a little better than the Access. The Jupiter's rear monoshock also has a handy winged preload adjuster which makes tailoring the suspension easier depending on the load you're carrying. The Access' upside is, that its seating position is more spacious and will serve taller riders better and its suspension composure is on par with the TVS. Take a test ride of both scooters to see which one suits you better and then make your decision.

Autocar India

•1h

Since you've mentioned that parking is a hassle and you rarely venture beyond the city's confines, the logical move would be to swap your Triumph Speed 400 with an Ultraviolette X-47 for your extended daily commute. Specifically, the Original Plus variant would be our recommendation because it has enough range for your use case and comes with an on-board charger which means you don't need to lug around the bulky charger with you wherever you go. While this is certainly the logical thing to do, you should still keep a couple of trade-offs in mind. You will lose the sensations, sound and character of a petrol engine and the ability to do a long, last-minute ride without planning charging stops. Also, Ultraviolette’s service and charging network is still smaller than established brands, though being in Bengaluru helps as the brand is headquartered here.

Autocar India

•1h

In your budget, we'd suggest considering either the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V or Bajaj Pulsar N160 for your use case. Both bikes have refined, punchy engines, good seating and suspension comfort and will also return good fuel economy when you ride sensibly. One point to bear in mind is that if you're a taller person, the Apache's seat-to-footpeg distance can feel a little cramped, in which case opting for the more spacious Pulsar will be our recommendation. If the sporty look of these two doesn't appeal to you and you want a simpler, more affordable machine then the Honda Unicorn is a tried and trusted option that's very hard to go wrong with. We'd recommend taking a test ride of all three before you make your decision to understand each one's strengths and weaknesses.

Autocar India

•2h

Depending on your riding style, there are multiple different options to choose from in the segment you're looking at. If you're looking for a quick and sporty machine, then the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 make good sense because they have energetic performance as well as good comfort (the KTM bike will be a little less comfy than the Triumph bike in this one regard, but will have more performance). On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you prefer to ride in an unhurried fashion, then look no further than the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350, Honda CB350 models and Triumph Speed T4. These bikes have great comfort and should also be reliable in the long run.If you want something that prioritizes comfort and utility over all else, then an adventure bike is the way to go. You have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and KTM 390 Adventure models (with both 350cc and 399cc motors, depending on your needs and budgetary restrictions) in this class. In our opinion, as an all-rounder, nothing can match the versatility of the Himalayan and if you're comfortable with its size, this is definitely an option worth considering. As always, first decide what form factor appeals to you the most and will suit your usage best and then accordingly take test rides based on that before making your decision.