Delhi

•41w

I am upgrading from a Royal Enfield Scram 411. My top priority is reliability and near-zero day-to-day niggles. My budget is around ₹4.7 lakh (on-road). What I disliked about the Scram was the recurring cone-set or steering-head bearing issues and the related front-end feel and maintenance. My use case includes: Daily city commuting Weekend highway runs Occasional bad roads and touring I prefer something that can do it all without requiring constant attention. I am considering KTM, but I am wary of being too electronics-dependent, such as sensor or ECU-related failures and issues with ride-by-wire, traction control, or quickshifters, since reliability is my number one filter. Which bikes in this budget have the strongest real-world reliability record over the years and kilometres, with minimal repeat issues? If you have owned or maintained these bikes, what typically fails and at what mileage? What would you shortlist if the goal is to buy once, ride daily, tour hard, and not have to constantly babysit the bike? Bikes I am already considering include the Kawasaki Versys 300, Suzuki V-Strom SX 250, Honda NX200 and CB350, KTM Adventure 390 X, TVS RTX 300, and Royal Enfield Bear 650.

•36w

The KTM 390 Adventure X will make for a good upgrade over your current Royal Enfield Scram 411. What you've mentioned about the KTM's electronic niggles can occur. However, these issues are sometimes sporadic and can also boil down to how you clean/maintain your bike. By and large, you should be okay with the KTM in the long run.

You should also seriously consider the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 because it has a proven track record, by and large. Also, it has far fewer electronic aids than the KTM, which will also mean fewer things to go wrong.

The Kawasaki Versys-X 300 is a stone-simple machine with only dual-channel ABS in the name of electronics, and it will be by far the most reliable machine in the long run. However, this bike thoroughly feels its age when ridden against the competition, and it only comes with wire-spoke wheels and tubed tyres, which will make fixing a puncture quite difficult.

The TVS Apache RTX 300 is a phenomenal package, but it is still too new a platform, and you'll have to wait and watch what owners say about its reliability.

Explore bikes mentioned

KTM

390 Adventure X

from ₹3.72 Lakh

Royal Enfield

Himalayan

from ₹3.31 Lakh

Kawasaki

Versys-X 300

from ₹3.78 Lakh

TVS

Apache RTX

from ₹2.16 Lakh

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•19h

Kawasaki Z300 is launched in India at more than 3 lakhs. Do you think this makes sense and will people buy it?

•2d

Hi Autocar Team, I currently own a 2021 Hero Super Splendor. The most annoying aspect of my bike is its gearbox, which frequently experiences missed shifts and false neutrals. A few months ago, I decided to upgrade to a 160cc motorcycle. However, my neighbour recently bought a Hero Xtreme 125R, and it seems to have similar gearbox issues. Why has Hero been unable to provide a consistently smooth gearbox experience? If I upgrade to the Hero Xtreme 160R, am I likely to face the same issues? Please advise.

•1d

On most Hero motorcycles, as you've pointed out, the gearbox is quite notchy & lacks a snick, precise feel. While we can't comment on why the company has been unable to solve this issue, we can say that the latest Xtreme 160R 4V doesn't seem to suffer from this issue - at least our experience from the first ride event tells us that it doesn't. We'd recommend you get an extended test ride of the bike to properly try it out before going ahead with your purchase, or look at alternatives like the Bajaj Pulsar N160 or TVS Apache RTR 160 4V.

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 160R 4V

Bajaj Pulsar N160

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

•2d

I have been riding a RE Hunter 350 for the past 4 years and love its low-end torque and relaxed city character. However, I hope that it brings back the lightweight, punchy, "zingy" thrill of the old Yamaha RX 100/135. I have shortlisted KLX230 and have taken it test ride in Bengaluru on broken, waterlogged, pothole-filled roads and have thoroughly enjoyed it. The S variant wasn’t available for me to try. I enjoyed the deltabox/VVA engine of XSR155. Is it worth modding W175 to US LTD look? Dealer says it is off sale. SR250 fits my aesthetics, but I have doubts about its reliability and long-term ownership. Also, does a dual-sport or a light street bike like the XSR 155 make the ultimate garage companion to a Hunter 350? Is it worth holding out for/modding the W175 or trusting Keeway. Also, do the Yamaha/Kawasaki dual-sports beat them out-of-the-box for raw, lightweight fun?

•1d

Since you already have a Hunter, getting another road-oriented bike will give you largely the same experience and we'd recommend choosing a different form factor to broaden your horizons. From your shortlist, the Kawasaki KLX230 (and the lower seat height & suspension travel 'S' version) will be the best fit for your two-bike garage. In that same vein, we'd also recommend Honda's new XR300L & XR300 Rally because they will have similiar capability as the KLX but are far more affordable and will likely have a small performance edge owing to their larger-capacity motors. Once you're able to test ride the XR300s, pick between these & the KLX for your next purchase.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Honda Bikes XR300 Rally

Honda Bikes XR300L

Kawasaki KLX230

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•2d

Hi, I am planning to purchase the new Dominar 400 (350) but since Bajaj is rolling out a new 5-inch TFT, Golden USDs and new colors in the bike, I am waiting for its update. Do you think that it is worth waiting for? What could be the expected launch time for the updated Bajaj Dominar 400 with the new 5-inch TFT?

•1d

It is reasonable to expect that the latest slew of updates to Bajaj's motorcycles will eventually make their way to the 350cc Dominar 400, although the brand has made no indication towards this actually being the case. Its platform sibling, the Pulsar NS400Z, recently received this same update as well. If you are planning to purchase the Dominar, we'd recommend you go ahead with your decision because there's no confirmed information regarding when the bike will receive these features and you could potentially be looking at rather a long wait.

Bajaj Dominar 400

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•1w

Hi, I am a 3rd-year student and am confused between two bikes, the Meteor 350 and the Hunter 350. I am 5'6 and 64 kg. I am a beginner, just learning to ride a bike from my father on his Splendor. I would like to use it in cities and on highways.

•1d

Given the fact that you are a beginner, the more affordable, lighter and smaller RE Hunter 350 will be a better fit than the heavier Meteor. Another factor working in the Hunter's favour is that its riding position is very neutral and its suspension is supple, which will make it adept at tackling bad roads without passing on the jolt to the rider's back. The Meteor, with its feet-forward riding position, will transmit more of the road imperfections to your back.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Royal Enfield Meteor 350

•2d

Hi Autocar India, I am looking to buy a motorcycle up to around 2.5 Lakh. My usage will be quite limited. I do short drives of 500 meters, 6 times a day for 6 days a week. I also might do a 15km trip like 3 times a month. Most of the driving will be on really bad pothole-filled roads. So I don't want the vibration to be felt in my back. I want good suspension for bad roads. My height is 5 feet 8 inches and 75 kg. I want a vehicle which can be managed well by me.

•1d

Since you have an extremely short daily commute where fuel economy won't play a big role & you have a reasonably comfortable budget too, we'd recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Hunter is not a large motorcycle and will be easy to manage for someone of average build like yourself, and it has supple suspension as well as neutral ergonomics, which will make it comfortable over bad roads.Take a test ride of the Hunter, and if you find it comfy, go for it.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

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