I am a beginner who has recently learned to ride a bike and am considering buying a new one, but I am confused between the Yamaha XSR 155, MT 15, Hunter 350, and Honda CB 350 Highness.

autocar.india

•1d

You have a lot of varying options within your budget, so pick based on your preferences after a comprehensive test ride of each option. The Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet / Hunter 350 are good options to consider in the neo-retro space with their comfortable seats, plush suspension and neutral ergonomics. Their engines aren't the most powerful, but they have good torque and make for an effortless riding experience.If you want a more off-road capable machine, then the Hero Xpulse 210 is a great option to consider. The Xpulse is a tall machine, but it is quite light and will have the best comfort over bad roads of all the bikes mentioned. If you decide you want a straightforward commuter with a little more pep than your Pulsar 180, then the TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N250 are good picks. They will feel similar to your 180 in their seating but will be a step up in terms of comfort, performance, refinement and features. As we said above, these bikes are very different from each other, and the best way to decide between them is through a comprehensive test ride.

autocar.india

•2d

While both the Harley-Davidson X440T and Honda CB350 H'ness have similiar engine architectures and cylinder counts, their riding experience is quite different. The CB350 is a textbook neo-retro roadster and its smaller engine will offer you better fuel economy but at the expense of outright performance. Its gearing is also quite tall which means you will have to make more frequent gear changes to keep the motor in its sweet spot. On the other hand, the H-D X440 T is quite a step up in terms of outright performance owing to its larger 440cc motor and it will definitely have better performance. It will return lower fuel economy but that's to be expected. Choose between the two based on your budget, brand preference and after taking a test ride of both to make an informed decision.

autocar.india

•5d

While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision.