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Delhi
HA

Hari

12w

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
4w

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

Was this helpful? Ask a follow-up

AG

Ashiv Gupta

4w

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

BH

Bhavesh

4w

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

PO

pooja

4w

very great information.

AG

Ashiv Gupta

4w

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

AS

Ashutosh Senger

4w

Informative article. kudos to the team

SA

Sahil

4w

Great answer, really appreciate it

More questions on similar bikes

DK

Dharmender Kaushik

5d

I want to buy a 125-150 cc bike. My height is 165 cm. I want it for the daily office commute. I want a bike with low seat height, not too high, with a refined engine, decent mileage of 45+ and with ABS.

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
17h

Pretty much every single 150-160cc commuter comes with at least single-channel ABS, so that won't be a deciding factor for you. Our top picks in this class are the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V if you want something sportier and feature-rich. If you want to stick to a simple, no-nonsense machine, then the Honda Unicorn remains a safe bet. If ridden sensibly, you should see in excess of 45kpl for all of these 150cc bikes.In the 125cc class, if having ABS is non-negotiable, then your options are restricted to the TVS Raider and Honda CB125 Hornet. Of these three, the TVS is our top recommendation. The 125s will be quite fuel-efficient, and you'll seldom see a mileage figure below 50kpl, no matter your riding style.You should first decide which segment you want to stick with and then take a test ride of the bikes accordingly before you make a decision.

TVS Raider
Bajaj Pulsar N160
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V
Honda Bikes Unicorn
Honda Bikes CB125 Hornet
RG

Rayvonne Gonsalves

1w

I currently own a Dominar 250 and was looking for an upgrade. Want a comfortable bike for city 70% and highways 30%. On long rides the Dominar seats feel very hard and I need frequent breaks. I checked out the Honda CB350C and Hness but didn't find the ride quality so impressive. I'm 5ft 6in and have tested the Triumph speed 400 and Scrambler 400x and have made up my mind to go for the Scrambler 400X. But since theres a lot of buzz around that the same will be discontinued to make way for 350cc models, would it be wise to wait for it? Another option im looking for is the TVS Apache RTX 300. What would you suggest?

Autocar India team

Autocar India

Verified
6d

The Triumph Scrambler 400 X that you have shortlisted is a good one bike to do it all. If you have your heart set on it, you should indeed hurry up and get one soon before the 350cc replacement is launched in the coming months. While its slightly smaller successor will be identical in most ways, the smaller engine with likely reduced performance could affect performance at highway speeds. So it's better to go for the 400cc model while you can. The TVS Apache RTX 300 is another great all-rounder, and if you are ready to deal with its size and weight, then you should absolutely consider it. Do bear in mind that for someone of your stature, the RTX could prove to be a little much inside the city at slower speeds. So we would recommend a thorough test ride before you make a decision. Another option worth considering is the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. It has a very approachable 780mm seat height, which will be helpful for you and has good performance and comfort for both city and highway usage. Since all the bikes you're considering are quite different, take a test ride of each before making a decision.

Triumph Scrambler 400 X
TVS Apache RTX
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

Posted on: 10 Feb 2026