Autocar India
38w

I currently own a Honda Activa and want a reliable motorcycle. I’m 5'9" tall and my budget is up to ₹2 lakh. Daily commuting is up to 20 km. I’ve been diagnosed with a slipped disc, so I need a bike with good suspension and a comfortable riding posture for two. I prefer a sporty look, low maintenance, strong fuel efficiency, and good after-sales service. Which bike should I buy?

Verified
37w

Since you have mentioned you want a bike that looks sporty but is comfortable to ride, something in the 150-160cc sporty commuter space like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V, Honda SP160, or Hero Xtreme 160R 4V will serve you well. If you want something that is packed with more performance but is still usable and comfortable inside the city, the KTM 160 Duke and Yamaha MT-15 are options you should consider. 

We would also recommend the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 because it is a comfortable, approachable and reliable machine, although it doesn't have the sporty look you want. 

Bajaj Pulsar N160

Bajaj Pulsar N160

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1w

Hi Autocar team, I am a mechanical enginer as well as car and bike enthusiast for last 3 decades. I have been following Autocar for many years. I currently drive XUV 500 & Ford Ecosport. In the past, I owned Yamaha FZ150 & FZ 250 as weekend bikes and I liked them. Now, I am planning to upgrade to a 350cc bike for city use in a budget of 2-2.5 lakh. I am 5'6" and 53 years old. I am looking for a powerful, bike with comfortable suspension for fun to drive city biking experience. I have no highway usage and I am not a fan of heavy bikes (less than 180kg is suitable for me). I am seeking value for money bike but dont mind paying a bit of premium for a bike with superior fun to drive biking experience. It should be reliable since I plan to keep it for 7-10 years. I have taken the test drive of RE Hunter 350 and liked it. Triumph does not have a showroom/service centre in my tier 2 city (Bhopal, MP) in central India (feeling bad to skip T4). I am evaluating Honda CB 350 models (tall gear and has less torque) and NS400Z (40PS at value) also. I have heard about Hero Xpulse/ Xtreme250 availability and reliability issues. Are there any other options and what are your recommendation?

Verified
6d

For your location and usage, we'd recommend choosing between the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 and Honda CB350 models. The Hunter is more affordable, more compact and quite comfortable. It is also a very popular bike which sells by the bucketload every month and given how many are on the road today, you're likely to have a pleasant ownership experience without teething troubles.Meanwhile, the Honda CB350 models are larger machines in terms of their bodywork and spacious ergonomics but are almost on par with the Hunter when it comes to weight. The H'ness and RS, in particular, also have a more standout design and if you want a bike that's not very common, one of these is a good buy. Finally, the 350cc Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is a completely different ballgame to these air-cooled 350s and will offer much superior performance and handling but will be a little compromised on the comfort front in comparison. To make an informed decision, take a test ride of all three before you go ahead with your purchase.

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1w

Hi Autocar Expert Team, I am 43 years old and commute around 60 km every day. Approximately 90% of my journey is on highways, with the remaining 10% on city roads. During my highway commute, I have to cross three bridges with expansion joints, which make the ride quite uncomfortable. I also suffer from sciatica-related back pain, so ride comfort and good suspension are my top priorities. I currently commute by car, but frequent traffic congestion significantly increases my travel time. As a result, I am planning to switch to a motorcycle for my daily commute. My budget is between Rs 2-4 lakh. Engine capacity is not a major concern, and I am open to motorcycles ranging from 150 cc to 450 cc. Based on my daily riding conditions, comfort requirements, and back condition, could you please recommend the most suitable motorcycle? I am particularly looking for a bike with the best suspension and ride comfort over bridge joints and uneven roads, a comfortable seat and relaxed riding ergonomics that are suitable for someone with sciatica, remains stable and composed at highway cruising speeds, and is reliable, easy to maintain, and offers a good long-term ownership experience.

Verified
1d

Since your commute is quite long and comfort is your top priority, the Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210 and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are both worth considering. The choice between the two depends largely on your typical highway cruising speeds.Both bikes offer an upright, neutral riding position that is well-suited to long hours in the saddle. They also have comfortable seats (the Himalayan 450 has the upper hand here).The Himalayan 450 offers stronger highway performance. However, it is noticeably heavier. If you want a lighter motorcycle that is easier to manage in daily use, the Xpulse 210 is the more approachable option.Take a test ride of both motorcycles before making a decision, as that will give the clearest indication of which one feels more comfortable for your riding needs.

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210
Royal Enfield Himalayan
2w

Hi, I live in Bangalore and am looking to buy a new motorcycle under 3 lakh (on-road) and would really appreciate your suggestions. I am planning to primarily use this bike for daily commuting, weekend rides, and occasional long-distance touring or adventure trips. My wife and I are both around 5'10" tall, and pillion comfort is a high priority. Since I occasionally experience back pain, a comfortable riding posture and good suspension are very important. Also, good mileage is another major deciding factor. I'm looking for a bike that offers a good balance of comfort (for both rider and pillion), reliability, fuel economy, touring capability and ability to handle occasional bad roads or light adventure riding. I'm open to any brand and would love to hear your recommendations based on personal experience. If you've owned or ridden any bike that fits these requirements, please share your thoughts, along with any pros and cons. Thanks in advance!

Verified
2d

From what you've described, it seems like the TVS Apache RTX 300 would be a good fit for your needs. The RTX is spacious, comfortable, loaded with features and has decent performance and fuel economy too. The downside here is that RTX waiting periods are on the higher side and since this is still a fairly new product, you may experience teething issues. Fully loaded with luggage and a pillion, its performance will also be quite modest. If you are open to extending your budget to account for the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, we would strongly suggest you go down that route. The Himalayan has excellent suspension, gutsy performance and is a proven commodity today. The only real downside is it's heft and size but since you and your partner both are on the taller side, chances are, you should be able to make your peace with it or even welcome the added space on offer. Take rest rides of both machines and see which one you guys lean towards more.

TVS Apache RTX
Royal Enfield Himalayan

Posted on: 4 Nov 2025