I am 156 cm tall and have tried sitting on the Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. The Triumph Trident is my dream bike, but I would like to start with a 400cc motorcycle first. Which of these two bikes is better for long rides and city commuting?

autocar.india

•2d

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a sporty roadster that is good fun daily, and it's reasonably practical and comfortable for commuting duties too. Whether this is the right choice for you is a question only you can answer, and the way we'd recommend you go about it is to take a test ride of the bike and see if it fits into your orbit. Some points to bear in mind in traffic: the Guerrilla's clutch is a little heavy, and its engine's bottom end is a little weak. But on the flip side, it has a punchy mid and top-end and its handling is very engaging and surefooted too. If you want to consider a more commuter-friendly alternative to the Guerrilla, try out the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, which doesn't have as much outright performance, but it's better suited to commute on and is also more comfortable. A test ride of these two should help you determine which is the better fit for you. Do write back if you think neither is a good fit, and we'll be happy to recommend different options!

autocar.india

•4d

While the Harley-Davidson X440 T and Royal Enfield Guerrilla are comparable in terms of displacement and price, both are actually very different animals. The X440 T has a long-stroke, air/oil-cooled, torque-rich thumper which really encourages brisk cruising more than attacking corners. The H-D is also the more laidback and comfortable machine, which will be a valuable USP over rough, patchy roads. If ridden gently on the highway, you could see a fuel economy number in the 27-30kpl ballpark. On the other hand, the Guerrilla is a sporty street naked which will delight you with its punchy performance, agility and surefooted handling. Sure, it may not be as comfortable as the X440 T, but in isolation, it is a comfortable enough machine. If you ride sensibly, the Guerrilla can also give you close to 30kpl on the highway, which is pretty decent considering its displacement and performance on offer. Another option you should consider is the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 / Scrambler 400 duo, depending on what sort of look you want and whether or not you can manage the Scrambler's tall 835mm seat height. The Triumphs will sit between the X440 T and Guerrilla in terms of performance and are comfortable machines for longer journeys. Take test rides of all bikes listed to ensure you make an informed decision.

autocar.india

•2d

Between the two Pulsar models you have shortlisted, the N160 would be our pick. Not only does it have the more modern mechanical fundamentals, the better feature-set and will be more fuel efficient, but also it comes in multiple variants, which have a single-piece seat, which should address your concerns about travelling with a pillion. Since you mentioned you like the Honda CB350 but it wasn't fitting in your budget, take a look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Hunter is much more affordable than the CB350 but will give you similar comfort, performance and form factor. It is also a proven commodity, which means realistically, in the long-term, your ownership should be free of any unwelcome surprises. Take test rides of both the N160 and Hunter, and depending on your budget and preference, make your decision.