Raipur

•2d

Hi, I am 35 years old. I have a sitting job in IT. Could you please suggest most comfortable bike in suspension considering I suffer from back and neck pain at work that increases while riding in city as well as my height (169 cm) and weight (68 kg) on city roads in India. Please consider city potholes. I will have to travel 20km daily in weekdays till Friday and on weekends, it will be 200 km. Earlier, I had Yamaha FZ S FI but I no longer own it. Now I own my father's Hero Super Splendor XTEC only. I was checking out Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350, Honda CB350 H'ness, Triumph Speed 400, etc. I had taken the test drive of Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 (2024 Model), but for my weight, during road bumping, it directly transfers shock and and vibration to my back. Please suggest your valuable feedback.

•1h

In our experience, all of the bikes you have shortlisted (aside from the Meteor to some extent) have proven to be adept at shielding the rider from road imperfections. Since you have mentioned that the Classic isn't doing the trick for you, perhaps it could mean that for your physique a bike with a different riding position may be the solution. Take a test ride of the Hunter 350, which now has very absorptive suspension and a similar feel from the engine. You should also consider the Harley-Davidson X440 (splurge for the nicer looking T if you can) as that bike also has a comfortable suspension setup and seating posture.

Explore bikes mentioned

Royal Enfield

Hunter 350

from ₹1.54 Lakh

Harley Davidson

X440

from ₹2.63 Lakh

•49m•

@paranthaman_r Go with Royal Enfield Hunter 350, it is definitely worth it.

•1h•

Might be worth focusing on riding posture too, not just suspension. Have you tried the Meteor or X440 over your usual pothole-filled route?

More posts on similar bikes

•18h

Hi Autocar India, I’m planning to buy my first proper motorcycle and I’d really like your recommendation based on my overall riding style rather than just a comparison between two bikes. I’m based in Hyderabad and my maximum budget is around Rs. 3-3.5 lakh on-road. My regular usage would be around 20-30 km a day in the city for roughly 20 days a month, but I also want to go for regular highway rides and occasional 300-600 km trips. I’m interested in doing longer rides such as Ladakh, although I’m not looking for hardcore off-roading. My priorities are strong acceleration and good pickup and therefore, I don’t want a bike that feels underpowered while overtaking or riding with a pillion/luggage. I want a bike that is comfortable for highway cruising at around 90-120 km/h with good stability and comfort for long-distance. The bike should offer reasonable mileage and manageable running costs. I am looking for bike that can handle both city riding and touring without being too tiring. Reliability and good service support are also important because I plan to keep the bike for several years. I’m okay with a heavier motorcycle if the weight is manageable while moving. I’m open to singles or twins and even 300-600cc if the bike genuinely suits my requirements. Styling is also important to me. I don’t particularly want the most common KTM/Duke-type motorcycle on the road. I like motorcycles with a distinctive, mature or premium character. I’m increasingly interested in cruisers and bobbers as well such as the Honda Rebel 300, Harley-Davidson X440, Dominar 400, etc. but I’m not fixed on a cruiser. I also like bikes such as the V-Strom and sport-tourers, so I’m genuinely open to different categories. I’ve considered bikes such as the Dominar 400, V-Strom 250, Himalayan 450, X440, Apache RR 310, Ninja 300, Rebel 300 and some KTM Adventure models. I’m finding it difficult because every bike has a different compromise. I’d therefore like your honest expert recommendation: if you were choosing one motorcycle for my exact usage, budget, riding style and long-term plans, which bikes would you shortlist and why? Please consider performance, highway cruising, comfort, touring ability, city usability, reliability, mileage, service/ownership costs and whether the bike will still feel satisfying after a few years. Also, if you think I’m approaching the purchase from the wrong category entirely, please tell me that and suggest what type of motorcycle I should actually be looking at. I’m not simply looking for the bike with the biggest engine or the highest specifications but I want the motorcycle that makes the most sense for the way I will actually ride.

•2h

You seem like someone who is going to use the bike for a variety of purposes, so getting a capable adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 would be our first recommendation. The Himalayan is an effortless machine both on the highway and inside the city, so long as you are cognizant of and comfortable with its size and heft. If you want a similar alternative in the neo-retro world, the Harley-Davidson X440 is a good option to consider. Similarly, it would also be prudent to wait for the imminent arrival of the Honda CB500, as that has the makings of being a do-it-all and capable neo-retro machine. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Honda Bikes CB500

Harley Davidson X440

•1d

Sir, at present I own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird X 350. I have always dreamt about Himalayan. My height is 5'2" and I weigh approximately 60 kg. I am 58 years. Do you think I can ride Himalayan 440, especially for long distance on a highway? Otherwise, can you please suggest me some other bike from Royal Enfield family, my budget is up to 2.5 lakhs. Thanks in advance.

•3h

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 440 is one of the most approachable ADVs on the market and once you get accustomed to its size and weight, you should be able to comfortably manage it. Its only at slower speeds in the city when you're navigating through traffic when the weight and size will be a problem but otherwise on the highway at constant speeds on a long tour, you'll hardly feel the weight. If you want something similar but with an even friendlier seat height, the Scram 440 is another good option and its top variant is the one to go for as it comes with alloy wheels and tubeless tyres. The Guerrilla 450 is another option from the RE stable that you should consider. It brings properly energetic performance and sporty handling to the table as well as a fancier colour TFT display, making it a step up in almost all ways to the relatively more spartan 440s. Its super friendly 780mm seat height is lower than both of the aforementioned bikes. Take a test ride of all three, see which one you gel with most and then make your decision. Do bear in mind that all three will be above Rs 2.50 lakh (on-road), so you will have to extend your budget.

Royal Enfield Himalayan 440

Royal Enfield Scram 440

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

•2d

Which bike should I choose to replace my CB350 for weekend rides, with 80-120 kph cruising ability, peppy performance and good refinement for fatigue-free riding? I have taken the test drive of V-Storm SX but didn't like it. I’m considering the KTM Adv 390 (350cc), KTM Adv 398cc, Himalayan 450, Tuono 457 and Versys X300. Off-road usage will be minimal and refinement will be an added advantage for fatigue free riding under Rs. 3-5 lakh budget. Among these bikes, which one will you suggest?

•55m

From the adventure bikes you've shortlisted, the KTM 390 Adventure X (398cc) and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are our top picks. The KTM has a sportier character while the RE is more well-rounded. The Aprilia Tuono 457 is a sublime motorcycle but service is on the pricier side and dealer network too is far smaller than established Indian and Japanese brands. Depending on the sort of rider you are, after taking a test ride of all three, you should make your decision.

KTM 390 Adventure X

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

I’ve already fitted this setup on my FZ25: a Michelin Pilot Street 2 at the front and an Apollo Tramplr XR at the rear. I initially considered using the Tramplr XR at both ends, but after hearing from several FZ25 owners about wobbling and high-speed instability with the XR on the front, I decided against it. Since these are two different types of tread patterns, is this combination okay, or could it affect the bike’s handling, stability or cornering?

•5h

Yes, this is a perfectly sensible combination for the FZ25. The Michelin Pilot Street 2 is a well-proven front tyre with a neutral profile and good wet grip, which helps with stability and predictable steering. The Apollo Tramplr XR is a more aggressive, blockier pattern that works well on the rear, offering good traction and durability without compromising stability. The concerns about the XR front are valid as some owners have reported a slightly vague feel at higher speeds, which is why your current setup actually makes sense. The FZ25 is not a high-strung performance bike, so this mixed setup will not cause any handling issues. The only thing to keep in mind is that the XR rear may wear a bit faster if you do a lot of highway riding, but overall this is a well-balanced and safe combination.

•1w

I’m 63 and rode a Bullet and Sherpa from 1979 to 2010, followed by a Gladiator until 2024. I now want to switch to an electric scooter. My requirements are: Removable battery No hub motor Real-world range of 100+ km on a single charge Good and reliable after-sales service Please suggest suitable options.

•5d

Currently, the only electric scooters from a reputed manufacturer to have removable batteries are Hero MotoCorp's Vida V2 and VX2 models. These scooters come in a variety of variants to choose from depending on your styling, range, and price requirements. Take test rides of both before you make a decision.

Vida V2

Vida VX2

•1w

I am planning to buy a new bike, but I am confused between the RTX 300 and the KTM ADV 250. My height is 182 cm, and I am a college student and a weekend rider. I have seen several ownership reviews of the RTX 300, and many users seem to be facing issues, which has confused me. Please suggest which one would be the better choice for me.

•6d

The TVS Apache RTX 300 is surely the more capable, feature-rich and well-rounded motorcycle of the two bikes you have shortlisted. However, TVS' after-sales network is infamous for having a hit-or-miss experience and add to that, the RTX itself has been experiencing concerning issues almost a year after its launch. The KTM 250 Adventure might not be as enticing a proposition as the RTX on paper, but it remains the safer buy because it comes from a brand with a proven track record, and the bike itself has also not been reported as having widespread reliability concerns.

TVS Apache RTX

KTM 250 Adventure

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