Wayanad

•1d

Hi Autocar India, I’m confused between the V-Strom SX 250, Speed 400, and Scrambler 400 X. I’m 193 cm tall and weigh 103 kg. I’ll mainly be riding 50-60 km per day in city traffic and on broken Kerala roads, usually at speeds below 90 km/h. I do very little touring, no off-roading, and occasionally carry a pillion. I love the agility and cornering ability of my SF150 and want a genuine upgrade without high ownership stress. Which one would you choose specifically for my usage? Please don’t give a generic “all three are good depending on preference” answer. Compare their real-world comfort, handling, suspension, maintenance, and compromises for my use case.

•5m

Considering your build and your specific needs as well as usage, we'd recommend choosing between the Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Suzuki V-Strom SX. Given that you travel with a pillion occasionally and want an upgrade from your current 150cc bike, both will offer a step up, although to varying degrees.

The V-Strom SX offers trademark Suzuki strengths like being easy to ride, inexpensive to own, good fuel efficiency if ridden sensibly and being a reliable machine that will last you for many years. Its compromises are that its smaller engine will obviously lack the poke of the bigger Triumph, and it is a simple machine with no real frills (which could even be considered a plus point if you like simple machines). The V-Strom is also far more affordable to purchase, which is a definite plus point for someone stepping up from a 150cc bike.

The 350cc Scrambler 400 X will - unsurprisingly - offer more spirited performance and better high-speed manners given its more sophisticated chassis and will also feel like the better finished product of the two. Its handling is pleasantly engaging for the sort of bike it is, and since you mentioned you value those attributes in your current bike, this will appeal to you. Downsides to the Scrambler include higher ownership costs, lower fuel economy and its pillion perch is slightly smaller than the Suzuki's, although not bad in isolation.

To make a definitive decision between the two, a test ride will be helpful.

Explore bikes mentioned

Triumph

Scrambler 400 X

from ₹3.42 Lakh

Suzuki

V-Strom SX

from ₹2.38 Lakh

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•2d

I have loved manual-transmission cars since childhood. I grew up watching people drive manual cars, and my love for cars and driving has only grown over the years. However, people keep telling me that driving a manual car in heavy city traffic can be difficult and tiring. I genuinely enjoy driving and feel that a manual car gives me a more engaging driving experience. So, what should I do? Should I accept the realities of heavy city traffic and buy an automatic, or should I follow my heart, buy a manual sedan and accept the inconvenience of driving a manual in heavy traffic? I am currently considering the Skoda Slavia 1.0 MT. Does it make sense to choose the manual given my love for driving, or would an automatic be more practical for city use?

•1d

Have you been driving regularly or are you simply fascinated by the concept of owning a manual sedan? If it is the latter, we'll recommend you to rent any self-driven manual car for a week, and replicate your daily usage with. If you're comfortable driving the manual car in traffic, then go ahead and get the car you've been longing for. A self-drive rental might seem a bit expensive but it'll help you get clarity of which transmission you should pick for the long term.The Skoda Slavia 1.0 TSI MT is a good choice, but since you have a Rs 20-30 lakh budget for a sedan, we'd suggest you consider the Hyundai Verna 1.5 Turbo 6MT instead. The Verna's 1.5 Turbo engine is much more powerful, gearbox is smoother, and clutch is lighter than the Skoda's.

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•6d

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.

•2d

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.

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•3d

Hi, I am 78kg, 5ft 10in tall, and live in a Tier 3 town. My average daily commute is around 12-13km, mostly on broken roads within the town, with a pillion rider for about 6km of the journey. I currently use a BS3 Hero scooter, which I purchased in 2016. With the current fuel prices, my fuel expense is around Rs 400 per week. Given my usage and riding conditions, should I consider switching to an electric scooter?

•2d

Since your commute - though short - is mostly on broken roads, we'd recommend shifting to a motorcycle for better ride comfort. Look at options like the Honda Shine 125, Hero Super Splendor Xtec and TVS Raider, which will offer a good step up from a smaller scooter both in terms of performance and comfort. We wouldn't advise you to shift to an electric vehicle because your daily run is quite low and to recoup the additional money you'll shell out over an ICE vehicle you will take many years.

Honda Bikes Shine 125

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•1w

I’m confused between the Skoda Kushaq and Kia Seltos. My usage will be mostly on the highway, with trips planned mainly on weekends. I’m 5'8" and am looking for a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol SUV with good power, comfort, performance, suspension, handling and stability, along with an overall engaging driving experience. This will be my first car, so please suggest which one I should go for.

•6d

Go for the Skoda Kushaq 1.5 TSI. Since your usage is mostly highway runs on weekends and you are specifically looking for power, comfort, performance, suspension, handling, stability and an overall good driving experience, the Skoda Kushaq is the better fit. The 1.5 TSI engine is strong and punchy, and the car feels genuinely engaging to drive, with good high-speed stability and a well-sorted suspension setup. It is also a slightly more compact SUV, which makes it easier to live with as a first car.The Kia Seltos 1.5 turbo is also a very good car and feels more premium inside, but it is a larger SUV, and the driving experience is not as sharp or as involving as the Skoda Kushaq. Since this is your first car and your priorities are clearly performance and driving enjoyment, the Kushaq 1.5 TSI is the more satisfying choice.

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•4d

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.

•3d

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.

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•3d

Hi, I am looking to buy a scooter for my 71-year-old dad, who is currently using a 2012 model Activa. Kindly suggest some petrol scooters for him, as I am not considering an EV. His usage is limited to a maximum of 50-80 km per month. Please suggest some suitable options and the best one, considering ride quality and comfort for his age. Thank you in advance!

•3d

Since your father is already familiar with the venerable Activa, stepping up to the Honda Activa 125 would be a good idea. The Activa 125 is smooth, has decent comfort, will be easy to manage and hassle-free to own over a longer period. If you want a change of pace, the Suzuki Access 125 would be our recommendation. The Access has trademark strengths expected of a practical, family-oriented scooter, like being fuel-efficient, comfortable, practical and reliable, but also throws zippy performance into the mix. Take your father for test rides of both before zeroing in on your next purchase.

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