Autocar India
HA

Hari

18w

I’ve been using a 125 cc Bajaj Discover 125 ST since 2012. However, its braking and narrow tyres make me nervous when riding on the highway. In 2018, I bought an Apache RTR 200 4V. Though I liked its crisp performance and strong brakes, it felt too heavy for me. A couple of near accidents made me sell it the next year, and since then I’ve been using only the Discover 125 ST. Now I want to upgrade to another 125 cc bike with better braking, slightly wider tyres, similar kerb weight, and a kick starter.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
10w

If you want wider tyres in the 125cc sporty commuter space, you'll have to go for one of the sporty-looking, feature-loaded options like the TVS Raider, Hero Xtreme 125R and Honda CB125 Hornet. All have at least single-channel ABS on the higher variants and tyres that are grippy enough to handle all sorts of road conditions you might encounter, both of which should help you stop in a controlled manner. 

You've mentioned that having a kick starter is a priority for you, and of the bikes listed above, only the Hero has it as standard. However, these bikes are thoroughly modern, and their electric starters will work in just about every situation you find yourself in. So we'd advise you not to restrict yourself and potentially miss out on a high-quality product because of an antiquated notion like that. 

TVS Raider

TVS Raider

AG

Ashiv Gupta

10w

Bajaj Pulsar 125 is one of the better pick in such category.

BH

Bhavesh

10w

Apache rtr 200 is really a good choice u can also look for tvs raider

US

User

10w

very great information.

AG

Ashiv Gupta

10w

Bajaj Pulsar 125 is one of the better pick in such category.

AS

Ashutosh Senger

10w

Informative article. kudos to the team

SA

Sahil

10w

Great answer, really appreciate it

More questions on similar bikes

SK

Sudhir Kumar Panigrahi

3d

I own a Royal Enfield Classic 350 (BS4) and am planning to upgrade to the Interceptor 650. My usage is mostly in the city with occasional highway rides, and my monthly running is up to 1,000 km. Should I go for the new Classic 350 (BS6) or upgrade to the Interceptor 650?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
1d

From a logical point of view, the Royal Enfield Classic 350 makes sense for your use case, which is primarily in the city. The Classic is a lighter machine and will be easier to manage in the city. In your case, it will also be a largely familiar machine since you're coming from an older Classic 350, and there won't be too much of a learning curve. Plus, in comparison to the Interceptor 650, you'll also get better fuel economy from the Classic.On the flip side, the Interceptor will be a far better machine for highway riding, and its twin-cylinder engine gives it a different character. If you're looking for a change of pace from your Classic, the Interceptor could be the perfect step up because, despite its added power and weight, it is still an approachable machine. The one thing you need to be mindful of on the Interceptor inside the city is its wide exhaust pipes, which will stick out in traffic.A test ride will reveal whether you should go for the Interceptor or the Classic.

Royal Enfield Classic 350
Royal Enfield Interceptor 650
JA

Jayant

6d

Hi Autocar team. I booked a Bajaj Dominar 250 on March 9th from a dealership in Jammu. After six weeks of waiting and vague answers, I personally visited the showroom to demand an update. They showed me their system. The dealership is actively applying for the order, but the issue is entirely from Bajaj's end. The factory is simply not accepting the order. I am incredibly frustrated. Are there currently known production halts or severe supply chain issues for the Dominar 250? Any advice on how I can escalate this directly with Bajaj corporate to get a straight answer on my dispatch date?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

The Bajaj Dominar 250 is not a high-volume product for Bajaj, and therefore, its production process isn't likely to be as speedy as something popular, say, a Platina. To expedite matters, you should ask your dealer for three things (preferably in writing or on e-mail): your order ID, the current status with a tentative dispatch week, and whether your colour is on hold. A worthwhile option worth considering is to source a bike from an alternative nearby dealer.If that also doesn't help you, put a short, polite post on Bajaj's official social media handles across various platforms. Also, mark the dealership’s General Manager and the Bajaj area sales manager, so you tick all the boxes.

Bajaj Dominar 250
Bajaj Platina 100
KE

Kedar

2w

Hi, I currently own a TVS Ronin, which works well in the city. However, on highways, it struggles beyond 90 km/h and feels unstable. I am planning to upgrade to a motorcycle that is not too heavy but can comfortably cruise at around 120 km/h. My height is 5’8”. I am not interested in the Royal Enfield Hunter 350.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
2w

Since you're upgrading from a Ronin, we'd recommend you take a look at the Harley-Davidson X440. It has a similiar riding position, a smooth, torquey engine, and neo-retro looks as well. The 440cc motor is a refined unit and can easily cruise between 100-120kph without breaking a sweat. If you want something a little sportier, then machines like the KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and TVS Apache RTR 310 are worth considering. These bikes have the performance to cruise at 120kph and more, but neither is particularly refined. A test ride of these is imperative so you can make an informed decision.

Harley Davidson X440
KTM 390 Duke
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
TVS Apache RR 310

Popular discussions right now

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kaushik waghmode

6d

I am very confused about which scooter to buy: Honda Activa 110 or TVS Ntorq 125/150. Kindly guide me so that I can make a decision. My usage includes both city riding and long highway rides.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
5d

Since your usage includes both city riding and highway runs, we would strongly recommend you go with the TVS Ntorq 150. The bigger Ntorq's engine can sustain 70-90kph easily on the highway, it is a stable and comfortable machine even at higher speeds, and most importantly, comes with the safety net of single-channel ABS, which will protect you in case you encounter a situation where you need to jam on the brakes.Be aware that since the Ntorq 150 has a large engine, its fuel economy is likely to be much lower than the 110-125cc options in the mainstream market. Although in isolation, when ridden sensibly, it does return good fuel efficiency.If budget is a constraint and you still want a scooter with ABS and one that returns good fuel economy, look no further than the top 2 variants of the latest-gen Suzuki Access 125. The Access remains the only 125cc scooter to offer you single-channel ABS from a reputed and established brand in India. It is also a well-sorted, comfortable and fuel-efficient scooter which has carved out its reputation for being reliable, so realistically over a longer ownership period, you shouldn't face many surprises.Decide how much you need to spend on your next purchase and take a test ride of the Access and Ntorq before you make a decision.

TVS Ntorq 150
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VI

Vivek

4d

I’m planning to upgrade from my current 125cc bike and have test-ridden a few options, including the Honda CB350RS, Honda Hness CB350, Royal Enfield Meteor 350, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, and the Harley-Davidson X440 (S and T variants). I found the riding posture of the CB350RS and Guerrilla 450 a bit too aggressive for my comfort. I really liked both the Hness CB350 and Meteor 350, but I am personally more inclined towards the X440 because of its handling and engine feel. However, I am confused between the S and T variants of the X440. The T variant offers ride-by-wire and has a cleaner look, but I am concerned about the bar-end mirrors and some plastic parts at the rear. In Indian parking conditions, bar-end mirrors seem prone to damage and could be expensive to replace, and I have been told there is no option to switch to conventional mirrors. Given that my usage will mostly be city riding (15–20 km daily) with occasional highway trips, does ride-by-wire make a significant difference in real-world usage over time? Is it worth choosing the T variant despite these concerns, or would the S variant be a more practical choice?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
4d

If you don't mind the look of the Harley-Davidson X440 S, then you should go ahead and buy that bike. Conventional mirrors are easier to use and during lane filtering, they don't protrude as much as bar-end ones. The ride-by-wire throttle on the X440 T does not offer any significant real-world advantage over the S variant's cable throttle, nor does it bring in significant improvements in performance in this application. The only reason to consider the T variant would be its improved fit and finish, a more cohesive tail section design and slightly better controlled suspension damping.

Harley Davidson X440
Harley Davidson X440T
DM

Debartha Mandal

1w

I want to know whether it is better to buy a second-hand scooter or a new one from the showroom. What are the pros and cons of both?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

Buying a new or used vehicle depends mainly on two factors: your mindset regarding used vehicles, as well as the price and condition of the vehicle in question.If you plan to use the scooter every day for many years, a new one from the showroom is usually the safer bet. If your budget is tight or you only need it for a short period, a good pre-owned scooter can save money.A new scooter works well when you want zero hassle. You get full warranty, a few free services, and roadside help, so surprises are rare. The trade-off is the high on-road price, higher first-year insurance, and the biggest drop in value happens in the first couple of years.On the flip side, a used scooter makes sense when you find a clean one at a lower price. The catch is risk. You must deal with unknown wear and tear, and there’s also the chance that the vehicle might be out of warranty coverage.Simple rule: pick new if you ride daily, plan to keep it long, or are someone who wants worry-free ownership. Pick used only if you can verify service records, the scooter is fairly recent and in good shape, and the price difference is substantial.

Posted on: 10 Feb 2026