I’m planning to upgrade from my current 125cc bike and have test-ridden a few options, including the Honda CB350RS, Honda Hness CB350, Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, and the Harley-Davidson X440 (S and T variants). I found the riding posture of the CB350RS and Guerrilla 450 a bit too aggressive for my comfort. I really liked both the Hness CB350 and Meteor 350, but I am personally more inclined towards the X440 because of its handling and engine feel. However, I am confused between the S and T variants of the X440. The T variant offers ride-by-wire and has a cleaner look, but I am concerned about the bar-end mirrors and some plastic parts at the rear. In Indian parking conditions, bar-end mirrors seem prone to damage and could be expensive to replace, and I have been told there is no option to switch to conventional mirrors. Given that my usage will mostly be city riding (15–20 km daily) with occasional highway trips, does ride-by-wire make a significant difference in real-world usage over time? Is it worth choosing the T variant despite these concerns, or would the S variant be a more practical choice?

autocar.india

•10h

Both the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Harley-Davidson X440 are very good candidates for your next purchase, but they are quite different machines underneath. The H-D X440 is a relaxed roadster with a smooth, characterful long-stroke single-cylinder engine which has a good dose of low and mid-range torque. Despite its weight, the X440 is a manageable and comfortable machine inside the city and is planted and stable on the highway. If you can, make the stretch to the X440 T because not only does it look better, its finish levels are also much higher. On the highway, cruising at 100-110kph, the X440 is relaxed and vibe-free, although this is not a sporty machine. In fact, the Scrambler 400 X will be much sportier in its overall handling despite having decent off-road capability. Its liquid-cooled engine is more powerful, but you will need to rev it to make quick progress. The Scrambler also has good seating and ride comfort, although its pillion seat is on the smaller side. Take a test ride of both since they are such different machines before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•23h

Since your usage is mostly in the city, the added performance that the Harley-Davidson X440T brings over the Honda CB350 H'ness is unlikely to make a big enough difference to justify the big price difference between the two. Additionally, the Honda bike will also return much better fuel economy owing to its smaller, more efficient engine. Both are on a similar level when it comes to comfort, so the CB350 H'ness is the more logical buy between the two. Take a test ride of both to see which one you're leaning towards more before you make a decision.

autocar.india

•11h

It seems that you value peace of mind over everything else, so choosing an unimpeachable product like the Honda Unicorn will be a safer bet. The Unicorn can't match the Pulsar in terms of outright performance, handling or features, but it consistently provides reliable transportation to lakhs of Indians, which makes it the better fit for your needs. It would also be advisable to throw the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V into the mix. To be sure, take test rides of all three before you make your decision.