I’m 38 years old and 5'6" tall. I’ve been riding a Honda Shine 125 for about a decade and now want to upgrade to a bigger bike. I really like the Triumph Speed 400, but I’ve heard that its maintenance costs can be high. I’m also considering the Bajaj Dominar 400, Pulsar NS200, and Royal Enfield Classic 350. Please help me choose the right bike based on my requirements. I’m also open to other suggestions. I plan to keep the bike for at least 8 years, so long-term reliability and maintenance costs are important to me.

•4m

Since you are going to keep your next purchase for a long time and are coming from a Shine, we'd advise you to consider with the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The Classic is a simple, fuss-free motorcycle which should be easy and inexpensive to maintain. This Royal Enfield bike will also offer you a step up in terms of comfort, features and road presence from your Shine although, expectedly, its fuel efficiency will be lower owing to its larger engine.

If you want something sportier, then consider the KTM 250 Duke. The quarter-litre Duke has approachable yet exciting performance and will allow you to grow into it as time passes. This KTM bike has great handling, cool tech like a colour TFT display and bidirectional quickshifter and its zingy engine can also be rather fuel efficient with sensible riding.

These are two starkly different machines and depending on your preferences, pick between them. A test ride of both should help you decide which one is right for you.

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Royal Enfield

Classic 350

from ₹2.06 Lakh

KTM

250 Duke

from ₹2.54 Lakh

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•5d

We would like to buy a scooter for a female member of our family. She has been using an Activa for many years, and it is still running well. However, I’m not very happy with its safety and would like to upgrade to a better and safer scooter. I’m currently considering the Ather Apex, while she has a slight preference for the Vespa. However, I’m not sure about Vespa’s reliability. The nearest Vespa service centre is around 10 km away. Would it be possible to get a Vespa serviced and maintained by a local mechanic? Please advise which scooters we should consider. Our budget is around Rs 2-3 lakh.

•1h

Since the person you are shopping for prefers a neo-retro styled scooter, consider options like the Yamaha Fascino and Suzuki Access. Both have appealing designs and are frugal, reliable, comfortable and lightweight machines which should serve you well. The Fascino is one of the lightest ICE scooters on sale and if ease of use is a top priority, then the Yamaha edges ahead. We'd recommend you go take a test ride of both before making your decision. Coming to the Ather 450 Apex, it will surely offer a step up in terms of performance and features but in terms of practicality and comfort, you might be losing some ground here. Also, its sharp brakes are prone to locking up, which isn't ideal. And no, a roadside mechanic cannot repair a cutting-edge electric scooter, you have to go to the authorised service centres for that. Moving on to the Vespa, Piaggio's scooters are good to ride but their purchase and ownership costs are significantly higher than the mainstream brands. If you are okay with this, then you may go ahead with your purchase.

Yamaha Fascino 125 Fi

Suzuki Access

Ather 450 Apex

•4d

Hi, I’m looking to buy a premium bike and am considering the BMW F 450 GS. I really like the Racing Blue colour, but I’m not sure about the ERC system. I’ll be riding 90%+ in the city, mainly in Mumbai’s bumper-to-bumper traffic, with occasional weekend rides to places around the city and nearby outskirts. Will the ERC function properly in heavy city traffic, or could the ERC clutch system cause any issues in such riding conditions? Would it be better to consider the Exclusive variant instead? I currently ride a 2016 Thunderbird 350.

•2h

Since most of your riding is going to be in gridlocked Mumbai traffic, the Trophy variant of the BMW F 450 GS with the centrifugal clutch is the one that makes the most sense. Yes, there will be a small adaptation window, but once you get used to the clutch, it is a very handy feature to have - not having to use the clutch lever in traffic is a boon! To be sure, take a test ride before you make your decision.

BMW Bikes F 450 GS

•1d

I have had a solid overall experience with my Guerrilla. The highlights are definitely its performance and ride dynamics, though the initial ownership phase came with a few minor teething issues that needed sorting out. Overall, it is a punchy, engaging roadster that shines both on highways and on light off road trails. One major note to keep before buying, check according to your fuel capacity and your affordability. The 11 lt fuel tank is easily the bike's main practical game changing point. Because of the limited capacity, long distance highway rides require frequent fuel stops and careful route planning around petrol pumps. Best go for Guerrilla if you are power enthu, if you want refinement then look for honda bikes.

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•1w

I am a first-time driver with an annual running of no more than 6,000 km and need an automatic car. I am confused between the Tata Nexon 1.2 AMT Creative+ at around Rs. 13 lakh, which offers features such as a 360-degree camera and panoramic sunroof, and the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi AT at a similar price. Should I choose the Brezza VXi AT or stretch my budget to around Rs. 14.5 lakh for the ZXi variant with a reverse camera? I liked the Nexon's comfort and spacious cabin. Will the AMT gearbox be suitable for 75% city driving and 25% hill driving around Pune?

•6d

Go for the Maruti Suzuki Brezza VXi automatic. The torque converter automatic is far smoother and more predictable in stop-start traffic and on hilly terrain compared to the Tata Nexon AMT, which can feel jerky at low speeds and on the hills. This Maruti Suzuki car is a more reliable and hassle-free car to own, with Maruti's strong service network and lower maintenance costs. If you can stretch your budget, the ZXi variant is worth considering for the added features, but the VXi itself is a solid, no-nonsense choice. You can also consider the Mahindra XUV 3XO, which gets a turbo-petrol engine and a torque converter. It will deliver punchier performance and is better value than the Brezza