I own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird Twin Spark (2011) — it’s been very comfortable for my mostly city riding (under 200 km/week), but it’s now nearing the end of its life. Should I modify and re-register this bike for more comfort, or buy a newer model that offers medium seating height, strong road presence, and excellent comfort for daily urban commutes and occasional longer rides? Please suggest models under ₹2 lakh.

autocar.india

•19h

Since you already have a Hunter 350 and want more power for your daily commutes, stepping up to the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 would be the logical move. The Guerrilla has a punchy engine with a strong mid-range which makes for a brisk yet effortless commuting partner. While the Guerrilla has engaging handling, its suspension is also reasonably pliant to tackle the daily grind. Given that you have experience dealing with the Royal Enfield sales and service network, your ownership of the Guerrilla should also be fairly straightforward and trouble-free. If you want a twin-cylinder experience, then the Aprilia Tuono 457 special edition should be on your radar. The Tuono has sublime handling, a characterful engine that belts out a lovely soundtrack and its also a fairly uncommon sight on our roads, giving you an air of exclusivity. Do bear in mind that the Aprilia dealer network is quite small and service will likely be pricier than its single-cylinder rivals.

autocar.india

•14h

If you can live with its tall 835mm seat height, the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X seems like a bike that would suit your needs very well. Even the Speed 400 will handle all of this but the Scrambler brings an effortless ability to tackle rough roads which its road-focused sibling doesn't. You should also check out the Royal Enfield Scram 440 because it will be similarly capable over longer distances and bad roads but it does have a lower performance ceiling owing to its less powerful engine and heavier kerb weight. A test ride of these 2 should help you decide which one suits your needs better.

autocar.india

•5d

Suzuki is working on a next-generation Gixxer platform, which will spawn four models and this is likely to debut around the end of this year or in the first quarter of next year. Since the V-Strom SX is based on the same basic architecture as that of Gixxer 250, expect that bike to follow suit in due course as well. Given that the current V-Strom SX is a durable, reliable but simple and rather dated machine, it would make sense to wait for the new-gen model. The RE Classic 350 that your father has suggested is an excellent motorcycle although markedly different from the V-Strom in terms of the riding experience it delivers. This is a charming, laidback and reliable machine although it is on the heavier side. If you want something similiar to the Classic but lighter, look at the Honda CB350 models instead.If you need a motorcycle immediately, take a test ride of both the aforementioned 350s and pick based on your preference. If you can wait for some time, then waiting for the next-gen V-Strom SX would be advisable.