Autocar India
OC

Omkar Chavan

20h

I currently own a 2017 Royal Enfield Classic 350 (non-ABS, rear drum brake model) and am planning to replace it. I am confused between the latest Classic 350 and the Honda H'ness CB350. My usage will mainly be city commuting, along with weekend rides and occasional off-road excursions. Which one is better?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
8m
Since you already own a Classic, upgrading to the latest one will be the safer bet for you. All the strong points are carried forward in the latest-gen Royal Enfield Classic 350, without many of the shortcomings it had previously.
The Honda CB350 H'ness is similiar in many ways when it comes to engine character and power delivery, but it is a lighter, nimbler machine, and its clutch action is also much more effortless. The H'ness' tall gearing doesn't really suit the relaxed nature of the engine, but it does help in extracting better fuel economy and feeling less stressed on the highway.
To decide between the two, we'd recommend a thorough test ride of both. No matter which one you choose ultimately, you're unlikely to go wrong because both are accomplished, proven machines in their own right.
Royal Enfield Classic 350

Royal Enfield Classic 350

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HG

Hardik Gaur

6d

I want to buy an electric scooter for nearly 30 km of daily travel. My budget is around Rs. 1.45 lakh. I am confused between Vida VX2 Plus and Chetak 3503. I also looked for Ather Rizta S Base which has low range but it is out of my budget. For TVS IQube, I looked for 3.5kwh base model that was around Rs. 1.49 lakh but I have heard of some issues with it during rainy days and it does not support fast charging. Vida VX2 Plus is the cheapest of all but I have heard about its AUX issues, build quality of switches, app glitches. For Chetak, I have heard of its battery issues and that, it does not support fast charging for 3503. Please suggest which EV would be suitable for daily city use in this budget. My priorities are good reliability, low maintenance and good range.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
11h

In the electric scooter segment, the TVS iQube and Bajaj Chetak models are hard to go wrong with, and no matter which one you choose, you're likely to end up with a safe purchase which will safely last you many years. Coming to issues with using the iQube during the monsoon, you're unlikely to have any - this is a scooter that has proven its mettle over the past 6 years that it has been on sale. The base 3.5 variant of the iQube in your shortlist, has a 650W charger as standard and it should be sufficiently quick for most daily needs. Its a similar story with the Bajaj Chetak. Any unfortunate battery issues you face will be covered under warranty and even so, these instances are few and far between, not widespread occurrences. The Chetak 3503 also has pretty quick charging times, with the Bajaj website stating a 3hr25min duration for a 0-80 percent top-up, which should be more than enough for your daily needs. Hero's Vida VX2 has come onto the scene relatively later but judging by the fact that these have started to become a fairly commonplace sighting on our roads, the market seems to have given it a good response. We'd recommend a visit to each scooter's authorized dealership and take thorough test rides to ensure you cover every aspect before you make your decision.

Bajaj Chetak
Vida VX2
TVS iQube
TW

Talha Wahid

3d

I am planning to buy a sub-twin-cylinder motorcycle under 500cc and was really looking forward to the BMW F 450 GS Trophy version. However, it appears to be overpriced, and even the spoke wheels are optional. Should I wait for the Aprilia Tuareg 457, or are there any other alternatives that are expected to be launched this year or in early 2027?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
11h

Sadly, in India, if you're looking for a decently priced sub-500cc, twin-cylinder adventure bike, then you'll have to extend your wait as there's nothing currently or on the horizon either. The BMW F 450 GS is, all things said and done, the somewhat palatable option because the Honda NX500 - as accomplished a bike as it is - simply cannot justify its steep Rs 7.44 lakh ex-showroom asking price, even with its super convenient and non-intrusive E-Clutch technology. We'd advise you to also take a look at the mid-spec Exclusive variant of the 450 GS because that has pretty much every option that you'd need and want ticked without the centrifugal clutch seen on the top Trophy model. Its also a good chunk more affordable to buy. If you're okay with making your peace with the alloy wheels, then you also save the moolah that BMW wants you to shell out for the pretty - but pricey - cross-spoke wheels. Unless you're a hardcore off-road rider, these spoked wheels bring no functional improvement and sticking with the alloys is the sensible bet. You could also purchase them a little later on, if your heart is really set on them. Coming to the Aprilia Tuareg 457, there’s no clear India launch or even global reveal timeline yet.

BMW Bikes F 450 GS
Honda Bikes NX500
SA

Sai

1w

I am confused between the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350, and Honda CB350RS. Which one would you recommend for comfortable city rides along with occasional long rides?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

Since your usage is mostly going to be inside the city, we'd advise choosing between the Honda CB350RS and 350cc Triumph Speed 400. Both bikes have smooth, torque-focused engines, light clutch action, manageable seat heights and good weight management, which should make them easy to use in the city. Out on the highway, both feel quite unstressed as long as you keep the speeds between 100-110kph at the most in top gear. The Speed 400 will feel more sprightly than the CB350RS owing to its higher output and lower weight but the Honda's engine has a little more character than the Triumph's.The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is a gorgeous and eye-catching bobber but comfort and highway capabilities aren't exactly its strong suits. If you do want an option from the 350cc Royal Enfield lineup, we'd recommend taking a look at the Bullet / Classic because these bikes are excellent at city duties and if you don't mind carrying a sedate pace on the highway, they'll do the job just fine. These options are very different from one another, so we'd advise you to take proper test rides of each to see which one suits you best before you pull the trigger on your next purchase.

Triumph Speed 400
Honda Bikes CB350RS
Royal Enfield Classic 350
Royal Enfield Bullet 350
Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350

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Popular discussions right now

AN

Ankur

3d

I am planning to buy a bike for office commute in Bangalore (15km per day in peak traffic), and I am inclined towards cruisers. Please advise between Honda CB350, Apache RTX300 and RE Goan Classic. Rider and pillion comfort and fuel efficiency are my major concerns. Please advise.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

Since you've said you prefer cruisers and commute in heavy traffic, of the three bikes you've shortlisted, the Honda CB350 will fit your usage the best. With its low seat, light clutch action and surefooted yet easy handling demeanour, the CB350 makes for a wonderful city companion. Its engine is smooth and torquey, and when ridden sensibly, it returns very impressive fuel economy for a 350cc machine. Plus, seating comfort for both rider and pillion is also quite nice, although if you carry a pillion frequently, it would be prudent to invest in a backrest - it should be a relatively inexpensive option to purchase.The Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350 is a beautiful motorcycle, but to achieve its gorgeous form, there are some functional compromises. It is by no means a horribly uncomfortable machine, but in comparison to its more conventional siblings - Classic and Bullet 350 - it is surely a step down. Pillion accommodations, too, are mediocre at best, and the main draw here is its unique design. The TVS Apache RTX 300 is the odd one out here and will feel very different to the other bikes you've shortlisted. It has a modern, liquid-cooled engine making substantially more peak output and a 6-speed gearbox. Outright comfort will be another strong point on the RTX, and this is likely to be the most comfortable machine of the lot, owing to its form factor. We'd recommend a test ride of all these bikes before you make a decision, and you should also decide what sort of bike you want before you do so.

Honda Bikes CB350
Royal Enfield Goan Classic 350
Royal Enfield Bullet 350
TVS Apache RTX
JE

Jeevahan

5d

I am looking for a 2-wheeler. My Budget is 4L, I will travel 80 to 100 kms a day. 20 kms in city + 30 kms in highway + 30 kms in industrial areas (Usually Damaged Roads) My priorities - Top-notch ride quality, free from body pain Suggest a few options. As of now, XPulse is closer to my requirements, but I need tuneless tyres since Industrial roads are more prone to puncture. Can I expect XPulse with tubeless tyres in the near future? Suggest other options to me as well

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5d

Since you travel long distances every day, comfort should be near the top of your wishlist and under Rs 4 lakh, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is the king of comfort. With your purchase, you can also bundle in the cross-spoke rims (priced at Rs 16,000, which is quite fair for what you're getting), which will give you the peace of mind of running tubeless tyres as well. The Himalayan's only major drawback is its large size and heavy weight, which can get bothersome for shorter riders.If you're looking for something more manageable, then bikes like the TVS Apache RTX 300 and 350cc KTM 390 Adventure are good options to consider. Both are comfortable, have gutsy performance and should return decent fuel economy too, while being easier to manage due to their low kerb weights. If you don't resonate with an adventure bike, then the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 models offer a good compromise with the plush suspension comfort you need, with more appealing style and less bulky bodywork.In case you decide you don't want to be at the upper limit of your budget, then neo-retro roadsters like the Harley-Davidson X440 T, 350cc Triumph Speed 400 / Speed T4 and Honda CB350 models are worth considering. These bikes have great comfort levels and will also return better fuel economy. Considering the very different nature of these bikes, take a test ride of all to be sure which one would be the right fit for you.

Royal Enfield Himalayan
TVS Apache RTX
KTM 390 Adventure
Harley Davidson X440
Triumph Speed 400
Honda Bikes CB350

Posted on: 2 Jun 2026