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

•2d

Whether or not you want to keep your Hunter and supplement your garage or have only one bike to handle everything is a personal decision, and we'd advise you to evaluate your priorities and make that decision.What we can tell you is that the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure will be more fun than the RE Himalayan 450 with its explosive top-end rush and significantly lower weight. If you do choose to keep the Hunter, then going with a machine that's markedly different in character and from a different brand makes more sense, so you get to choose between two distinct flavours of motorcycling as and when you wish.

autocar.india

•4d

We'd recommend you and your father pick between the TVS Ronin and Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both meet the criteria that you have listed above but offer markedly different riding experiences. The Hunter has a slow-revving, torque-rich, long-stroke motor with a lovely thump mated to an agile and responsive chassis that sounds like it shouldn't work but we (and lakhs of people who have bought one) think that it does.The Ronin's engine is similiar in character but feels relatively more sporty as does its handling. It is also a much lighter bike and has a lower perch, so for shorter riders, it will be easier to manage. Its oddball looks aren't to everyone's tastes and TVS' service doesn't have a stellar reputation either - two points to bear in mind from an owner's POV. Take test rides of both bikes to see which one resonates more with you before you make a decision.

autocar.india

•4d

Since you have the budget that permits you to venture into the 300-400cc category if you so wish, you can look at the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350, any of the Honda CB350 models and even the 350cc Triumph 400 models like the Speed T4 and Speed 400. These bikes are premium machines with larger engines than normal commuters, which means fuel economy will range between 30-40kpl most likely, although mileage can vary quite widely depending on multiple factors. If you want to prioritise fuel economy and instead settle for something more frugal, like a 160cc commuter will be our recommendation. Options like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Honda Unicorn / SP160 are our picks in this class. The Apache and Pulsar are more powerful and feature-rich machines, while the Unicorn and SP160 are straightforward, no-nonsense commuters. Make sure to decide which segment you want to shop in and then take a test ride of all the options in that class before you make your decision.