I own a Hunter 350 that has done 17,000km and will complete four years this December. I enjoyed the KTM 390 Adventure test ride and am also considering the Himalayan 450. Should I keep the Hunter and buy an ADV, or replace it with a Guerrilla 450?

autocar.india

•1d

Since you have mentioned that you will use your next bike for two-up touring with your better half, as you have done with your Xpulse 200, we'd recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. The Himalayan's seating and suspension comfort are the benchmark in its class, and with its powerful 452cc engine will definitely feel like a good step up from your Xpulse 200. Do bear in mind that the Himalayan is a much larger and heavier bike, and in that sense, you will need to make your peace with its sheer physical size if you do purchase it. If you want something similarly capable, yet lighter, then the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure models should be on your radar. The KTMs have even better performance and handling, and if you are a spirited rider, these will suit you better. Do bear in mind that the KTM Adventure models' seating and suspension comfort isn't as good as the Himalayan, although the difference isn't that big, and you can fix the seating issue in the aftermarket for not a lot of money. Engine refinement isn't a strong point of the KTM 390s, and you should expect more rattles and vibrations from them than the Himalayan.Since these are quite different to each other, take test rides of both before you make a decision. It's unclear when the Hero Xpulse 421 will launch, and even when it does, we'd recommend you don't immediately purchase an all-new product on a brand-new platform before the media and owners have had their say about it.

autocar.india

•1d

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

•1d

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.