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

•58m

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has a very manageable 765mm seat height, which should suit your stature. But if you want the lowest 350cc Royal Enfield bike, then it would be the Goan Classic. The Goan has an even lower 750mm perch, which will be even easier to flatfoot.Do bear in mind that the Goan Classic's handlebars are taller than usual, and this is something you should pay attention to on a test ride. We'd advise taking test rides of both the Meteor and Goan and pick whichever one suits you best and the one you prefer the look of more.

Autocar India

•4d

Within your budget, you have three very different options you can look at - Yamaha XSR155, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS Ronin and Hero Xpulse 200 4V. The XSR is the least powerful but is also the lightest motorcycle here. It will also feel the sportiest to ride because its engine and underpinnings are derived from the popular Yamaha R15 and MT-15. The downsides of the XSR are that it is a rather petite motorcycle. For someone of large stature such as yourself, this will be a potential challenge, and its rear suspension is quite stiff. It can get uncomfortable over repeated bad patches. The Apache RTR 200 4V is another sporty roadster, and with its larger engine than the XSR, it will feel more at home at sustained higher speeds. Its suspension comfort and more spacious seats will also be helpful for your usage. The TVS Ronin is a relaxed roadster with its smooth and torquey engine and relaxed and neutral ergonomics. Also, plush suspension setup and relatively larger size - compared to the other two bikes here - the Ronin has the potential to be the most suited to your use case.Moving on to the Hero Xpulse 200 4V, this is the bike you should buy if you want to venture off-road on your long tours. It will have by far the most plush suspension of all the bikes here, although its on-road handling will leave you wanting once you pick up the pace. We'd recommend a test ride of all three before you make a decision. Also, do note that all four bikes are all slightly above Rs 1.50 lakh (your stipulated budget), within that amount, there's no credible option for your requirements.

Autocar India

•4d

The Suzuki V-Strom SX may be a dated machine, but it is a great option for someone who wants a relaxed, reliable and fuel-efficient touring machine. If you are open to considering other form factors aside from the adventure bike style, there are some other machines that will fit the bill for your usage as well. In the neo-retro space, the TVS Ronin, Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 will be good options to consider with their relaxed riding triangles, smooth and torquey engines, as well as plush suspension setups. These bikes won't be as fuel-efficient as the V-Strom, but the drop isn't going to be too drastic either. Take a test ride of these bikes before you make a decision.