I am planning to purchase a new Royal Enfield motorcycle, particularly the Hunter 350, which is E20 fuel compatible. However, I am concerned about future fuel policies in India regarding higher ethanol blends such as E85 and flex-fuel vehicles. Before making my purchase decision, I would like to know whether it is advisable to buy an E20-compatible motorcycle now or wait for a future Royal Enfield flex-fuel motorcycle. Could you please provide any information regarding Royal Enfield's plans for flex-fuel motorcycles and whether current E20-compatible models will remain suitable for future fuel availability?

autocar.india

•20h

The Bajaj Pulsar N250SS is a budget-friendly, capable, and comfortable motorcycle that is likely to be a good fit for your needs. You should also look at the TVS Ronin and Royal Enfield Hunter 350, as well as the base Battalion Black Bullet 350. These neo-retro bikes place more emphasis on engine character and comfort, and all of them should be around the Rs 2 lakh mark (on-road). Take test rides of all and see which one suits your riding style and stature best before you make a decision.

autocar.india

•21h

The TVS Ronin is a good option to consider for your needs but you are right to be worried about TVS' aftersales because unlike its impressive products, it is rather hit or miss. Nonetheless, this remains an option you should consider, do visit your nearest TVS dealership and service centre and try to get some assurances from them before you go ahead with your purchase.In a similiar vein, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 too is a sweet and charming motorcycle which will suit your needs rather well. Royal Enfield has a widespread service network and the bike has been around long enough that you can trust it without major issues cropping up. Another underrated option that you should seriously consider is the newly launched Bajaj Pulsar N250SS. The Pulsar may look sporty and angular but it has a very neutral riding position, good suspension and a capable engine which can handle both city & highway duties. A test ride of all three should help you determine which is the best bike for your needs.

autocar.india

•2d

Answering based on the things you have asked for, in ascending order:1) Depending on your stature, you will have different feelings about the rider's triangle on the RE Hunter 350 and CB350RS2) Both bikes have well-sorted suspension setups, so they will fare quite well. 3) Fuel economy depends on your riding style, prevailing traffic & weather conditions as well as a multitude of other factors, so it's hard to give you an accurate number. That being said, the Honda 350cc engine is known to be quite frugal (even in our experience), in comparison to the RE 350cc motor. 4) Local service is again a very subjective issue, even for people who reside in the same city and go to the same workshop, so we can't accurately comment on that. Historically speaking, both RE & Honda are known to have largely trouble-free service experiences. 5), 6) & 7) Both the Hunter and CB350RS are high-quality, reliable machines, and you will likely not go wrong with either of them, barring any isolated unit-specific issues.