Autocar India
33w

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.

Verified
33w

All bikes you have shortlisted make for good beginner bikes with their unique strengths. The Yamaha XSR155 / MT-15 will be the lightest and easiest to manage machines with a sporty and engaging engine + chassis combination. They will also return excellent fuel economy. However, over long stretches of bad roads, the stiff suspension will cause some discomfort.

The Honda CB350 H'ness and Royal Enfield Hunter 350 are laid-back roadsters with torquey, smooth 350cc engines. They will be more comfortable but will not have as good fuel economy or handling capabilities. 

It all boils down to the sort of experience you are after and the design you like the most, so a test ride of all four is in order. 

Yamaha XSR155

Yamaha XSR155

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I am looking for a car that I can keep for the long term, around 8–10 years, with a budget of under Rs 15 lakh on-road in Bangalore. I would prefer an automatic with an SUV stance. My usage will mainly be a 15 km daily office commute, along with occasional highway trips. I am looking for something that looks modern, has enough space, and offers good after-sales service. A few options I have shortlisted are the Hyundai Venue/Sonet with DCT and the Renault Kiger with CVT. My main concern is whether DCTs are reliable for long-term ownership if they are regularly serviced, especially with bumper-to-bumper traffic 2–3 times a week.

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Given the budget, usage and long-term ownership focus, we would recommend the Renault Kiger CVT over the Hyundai Venue or Kia Sonet DCT. A daily 15 km office commute with frequent bumper-to-bumper traffic, along with occasional highway trips, is better suited to a CVT than a DCT. CVTs are smoother at low speeds and work well in stop-start traffic. They can also be less demanding in such conditions over the long term.DCTs can be reliable when maintained properly, but they are not the ideal choice for regular stop-start traffic. Repeated low-speed crawling can generate heat and accelerate clutch-pack wear, potentially leading to expensive repairs over time.The Kiger also offers a modern design, a spacious cabin and a good feature set for its price. Renault's after-sales service has improved in recent years, while the Kiger offers strong value for money in this segment. The budget also stretches further with the Kiger CVT, allowing a higher-spec variant with some money left over. In comparison, the Sonet and Venue are positioned slightly higher, so the same budget would typically mean settling for a mid-spec variant.

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Posted on: 2 Jan 2026