Autocar India
AN

Anil

20w

I am currently riding an Activa and want to move to a geared motorcycle. I already drive a manual car, so I am familiar with clutch and gear concepts. Please suggest a good option. I was looking at the Honda H’ness or the Hunter 350.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
20w

Both bikes you have considered are good for a beginner rider. The Honda CB350 H'ness will feel like a more spacious and larger machine than the Hunter, which will be a good thing if you are a larger rider. 

On the flip side, with its smaller size and 17-inch wheels, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 will feel more agile and flickable in city traffic. Do bear in mind that coming from an Activa, both these bikes will feel quite heavy, weighing 181kg.

Something that will be similar to a ride but substantially lighter will be the TVS Ronin, which weighs 160kg. We recommend you take a look at the Ronin instead of the two 350s. Even though you are familiar with how to operate a clutch and change gears in a car, on a motorcycle, it is a different ballgame. 

Do take a test ride of the machines you shortlist before you decide. 

Honda CB350 H'ness

Honda CB350 H'ness

More questions on similar bikes

SS

Saurabh Shrivastava

1d

I am looking for a new motorcycle which have Good comfort & can be used for city as well as occasional Highway drives I am a bit confused between the RE Hunter 350 or TVS Ronin My budget is 1.5- 2 lakhs

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
17h

Honestly, both bikes are great at their job and will suit your needs well, but they offer very different experiences. The Hunter 350 is a very different Royal Enfield from what we've seen before, but carries some signature strengths like plush ride quality, a characterful and torquey engine, as well as great curb appeal and good finish levels. Plus, when you buy a RE, you get access to a brand which has built a very good community and ownership experience in terms of events and rides, which is something few brands in India offer you today.Do bear in mind that the Hunter is a heavy machine, and this is just something you will have to work around. It's not as heavy as other Royal Enfields, but it is a good 20 kilos heavier than the TVS Ronin.Coming to the Ronin, this is a lighter, more agile and eager-feeling machine than the Hunter. It isn't overtly sporty and will be comfortable for daily use. The Ronin's lighter weight and smaller engine also translate to better fuel economy in general. The TVS is also the more affordable machine to purchase, and the price difference isn't insignificant. If you are on a tight budget, this is something to consider.Both bikes have a very different feel despite being similar on paper, and to make an informed decision before your next purchase, take a test ride of both.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350
TVS Ronin
KJ

Kaustubh Jirapure

4d

I own a Hunter 350 Dapper White for over two years. Lately, the suspension has started to bother me, and I am considering upgrading to an adventure bike. Which model would you recommend within a budget of Rs. 7 lakh? If there is an upcoming motorcycle that is worth waiting for, I am also considering upgrading the suspension on my Hunter 350 in the meantime. I was particularly interested in the Honda NX500, but the latest version seems significantly more expensive. What would you suggest?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
3d

Since you're innately familiar with Royal Enfield ownership, upgrading to the Himalayan 450 seems like a safe bet. The Himalayan's suspension can iron out pretty much any road imperfection you encounter and its performance will be a big step up over the Hunter you own too. The only caveat with going for the Himalayan is that it is a tall and heavy bike, and these attributes will make their presence felt at slower speeds inside the city. If you want slightly higher performance levels on a lighter machine, then the KTM 390 Adventure models (whether you opt for 350cc or 399cc iterations is up to the budget you have) are worth considering. The KTM bikes have great handling, punchy top-end performance and come with features like adjustable suspension, traction control and a bidirectional quick shifter - depending on the variant. In your Rs. 7 lakh budget, you can also get the BMW F 450 GS, although depending on your city's taxation structure, you may need to stretch your budget a little if you are eyeing the top Trophy variant. The new entry-level GS is a competent machine and will be a step up in refinement from the single-cylinder machines mentioned above and it is also lighter than them. You will, however, need to be prepared for higher running and maintenance costs expected of a machine wearing the BMW badge. Take test rides of these machines to decide which one works best for you before you make your next purchase. If none of these options seem enticing, you could also retrofit the latest-gen Hunter's suspension to your older model which will bring some much needed relief in terms of ride quality. Do bear in mind that this swap will likely void your warranty and we'd recommend reaching out to your nearest dealership for more clarity on the same.

KTM 390 Adventure
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Royal Enfield Hunter 350
BMW Bikes F 450 GS

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Posted on: 21 Jan 2026