Good day, Autocar team. I currently own three motorcycles: a KTM Duke 200 (2014), a KTM Adventure 390 (2022), and a Honda CBR650R (2025). I frequently go on long road trips, including some off-roading, for which the Adventure 390 has been my primary companion. The bike has now crossed 50,000 km, and with concerns around E20 fuel compatibility and KTM’s long-term reliability, I am considering replacing it with a new adventure motorcycle. Since the CBR650R is not suitable for rough roads, I seek your expert advice on whether I should invest in a new adventure bike within a budget of ₹6-8 lakh.

Autocar India

•2d

Considering your physique and your priority for good suspension and pillion comfort, we'll recommend a variety of adventure bikes as this will be the most capable format of bike for your needs. The new TVS Apache RTX 300 has lovely suspension comfort and gives you a big bike look and feel at a stellar price. We'd recommend stretching for the top BTO variant with adjustable suspension so that you can fine-tune the settings for you and your pillion's weight. Another great option is the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which has excellent suspension composure and control - despite being non-adjustable. The Himalayan also offers you a very roomy rider's triangle, which will be important for riding two-up. Plus, with its more powerful engine, it will be less strained when hauling the weight of a rider and pillion. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one works best for you before you make a decision.

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Autocar India

•2d

The KTM 390 Adventure is a thoroughly competent machine, and if you are satisfied with its riding experience, it will make for a good adventure bike in the class. Plus, all Bajaj-made KTM 390s and Triumph 400s will be downsized to 350cc to better comply with the new GST norms, so now is a good time to buy the 390 Adventure while you can still get one. Coming to the BMW F 450 GS, it will be considerably more expensive to purchase and maintain than the KTM, owing to its twin-cylinder engine and the Bavarian brand's reputation for rather high ownership costs. We would also urge you to wait until media reviews and customer feedback of the F 450 GS emerge, which will take some time. Another option to look at in this class is the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. Its strong points are its magic-carpet-like ride, punchy performance and a widespread sales & service network. Its heavy kerb weight and oddball styling are some reasons to not get one. A test ride of the KTM and the RE will help you make up your mind if you want to buy a bike right away.

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Autocar India

•6h

The Skoda Kylaq is enjoyable to drive, and performance is strong too. Moreover, it's compact, solidly built, and its suspension strikes a good balance between ride comfort and handling. The Skoda Kushaq is relatively more spacious, particularly at the rear, so if you travel with four passengers regularly, the Kushaq is the better pick. We are yet to get behind the wheel of the Skoda Kushaq with the new 8-speed automatic transmission, so we recommend you wait for our review if you are keen on the Kushaq. Alternatively, you could avail some mouth-watering discounts on the pre-facelift Kushaq, because of which you could get a higher variant in your budget. If resale value isn't something you're concerned with, this is an option you could explore for the considerable savings upfront.

Skoda Kylaq

Skoda Kushaq facelift

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