Autocar India
•16w

I currently ride a Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 and have been very happy with it. However, I now feel it's time to upgrade to something that offers more performance while also being more comfortable for everyday use. I'm not a fan of highly committed sportbikes like the Yamaha R15, which has an aggressive riding stance. Most of my riding is within the city, including daily office commutes, with the occasional weekend ride. My average monthly running is around 1,000 km. My budget is Rs 5 lakh (on-road). I've shortlisted a few motorcycles. The KTM Adventure S appeals to me even though I don't ride off-road, mainly because an adventure tourer is versatile and comfortable. The Triumph Speed 400 is another option I'm considering. I was also looking forward to buying a Royal Enfield 650, but the absence of tubeless tyres is making me reconsider. Can you suggest which one I should pick, or is there a better option as well?

Verified
•14w

Since most of the riding will be in the city with occasional weekend trips, you are already leaning towards the adventure-touring segment; the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is one of the best all-rounders in this price range, if you can manage its size and weight.

The KTM 390 Adventure range is quick, engaging to ride and packed with useful features such as cruise control, cornering ABS, traction control and a quickshifter. It also handles exceptionally well on highways and twisty roads. That said, the engine is not as refined as some rivals, and the large windscreen can make slow-moving city traffic feel warmer.

If off-road capability is not a priority, the Triumph Scrambler 400 models deserve serious consideration. It combines the commanding riding position of an ADV with the styling of a scrambler. The engine is refined, the handling is neutral and predictable and comfort over bad roads is good too.

Among these, the Triumph Bike is the most affordable, while the KTM 390 Adventure S is the most expensive. The Himalayan 450 falls comfortably in between. One advantage of the Royal Enfield bikes is the strong riding community and touring culture that comes with the brand, which may appeal if you enjoy long-distance travel and group rides.

Take a test ride and see which one suits you best before making your decision. 

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Royal Enfield Himalayan

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•1w

I need to buy a bike. I’ve been riding a scooter for the last three years, and I turned 18 six months ago. I’ve ridden my friend’s Bajaj Pulsar a few times, though never in heavy traffic. Still, I’m confident that after riding it in traffic two or three times, I’ll be fine. I’ve covered more than 5,000 km on my scooter, often in remote parts of the Northeast and Himachal Pradesh. This will be my first bike, and I’m from Guwahati. My budget is Rs 2-5 lakh, and I’m open to options across that range. I’ve always wanted a Harley-Davidson, so I’d like to know the advantages and disadvantages of buying one in this price range. I’m not looking for a sports bike, but something suited to daily commuting and occasional riding in the hills. I’m also interested in the Royal Enfield Himalayan and Guerrilla 450, but I’m not sure I want to spend that much. I can, if it’s a much better choice for me than the others. Alternatively, I could go for a Honda CBR, a Pulsar or the Bajaj Dominar. Please help me decide. I’m open to suggestions. Thanks!

Verified
•6d

A first motorcycle purchase is a big milestone in life, and it seems like you're not sure which style of bike to go for, so we'll give you a vast list of options to choose from.Since you said you've always wanted a Harley-Davidson, we'd advise you to try the X440 T out. This is a comfortable, characterful and capable motorcycle, and if you're not interested in outright top speed, it will be a good option. In a similar vein, if you want something in the neo-retro space, the Royal Enfield 350s are a lovely option and hard to ignore.If you want something with a little bit of pep in its step, then the 350cc Triumph 400s like the Speed, Scrambler, Tracker, etc. are really nice bikes (although if you don't have a dealer in your city, it wouldn't be advisable to buy them). The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is another really nice bike and packs in serious performance so if you do get it, have your wits about you when you whack open the throttle. The RE Himalayan 450 is a completely different proposition to all of the aforementioned bikes and is a jack-of-all-trades sort of bike. Unless you're really going to venture off-road or do long rides, it may not be the right tool for you - as a first-time buyer. Something lighter, nimbler and more straightforward is a better bet.If you don't want to spend more than Rs 2-2.50 lakh on your first bike, then something simple like a Bajaj Pulsar N250SS, Dominar 400 (350cc), TVS Apache RTR 200 4V and similiar bikes will keep you happy until you're ready to move up too. A test ride will be key to determining, first, what sort of bike you are after and second, whether you want to spend its asking price or not. Happy trails!

Harley Davidson X440T
Triumph Tracker 400
Triumph Speed 400
Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450
Royal Enfield Himalayan
Bajaj Pulsar N250
Bajaj Dominar 400
TVS Apache RTR 200 4V

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Popular discussions right now

•5d

Hello everyone, I am very confused about buying a new scooter under Rs. 1.30 lakh. I want a comfortable scooter that should be in 125cc segment. It should have a planted/substantial feeling that delivers decent mileage and should have a sporty look. It should have a TFT display. Should I wait or choose from Activa 125, Dio 125, Jupiter 125 or Ntorq Race XP or something else?

Verified
•2d

There's no one product right now which will give you all of these attributes in one package today in the 125cc segment. The Suzuki Burgman will probably come closest but its not a heavy or substantial feeling machine - but we think that's a good thing considering you'll usually be using it in tight urban confines. If you want a 125cc scooter with 14-in wheels for added stability, the Hero Xoom 125 is one option we'd recommend. Its motor is fuel efficient and smooth, its styling is very modern and catchy and its suspension is pretty decent too. It doesn't have a TFT display and its boot is rather small because of its larger wheels, points to keep in mind before you go ahead with your purchase. The TVS Ntorq 125 is a great scooter which balances fun and practicality very well although, again, this is not a heavy-feeling scooter and like we mentioned earlier, this is a good thing. You should also consider the Aprilia SXR GT 125 because this scooter will have the "heavy feeling" you're after but it doesn't have a TFT display and from what we experienced on the SXR GT 175 when we reviewed it, its front suspension is not very comfortable over bad roads. Aprilia's dealer network is also far smaller than the bigger Indian brands and its aftersales and service cost has historically been on the more expensive side too. We'd recommend you take a test ride of the aforementioned options and see which one you gel with the most before you make your decision. We would also be remiss if we didn't recommend you at least take a look at and get a test ride of the Suzuki Access because while it may not be the flashiest option out there, it is really a sublime scooter which and its highest variant comes with ABS which no other mainstream manufacturer offers on a 125cc scooter.

Suzuki Burgman Street
TVS Ntorq 125
Aprilia SXR GT 125
Aprilia SXR GT 175
Suzuki Access 125

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Posted on: 2 Aug 2026