The Honda Elevate would be a good choice for you, given your usage and requirements. It is equipped with a smooth 1.5-litre petrol engine with the option of a convenient CVT gearbox that is perfect for city drives.The seats are comfortable, and the suspension performs well over bumps and bad roads. The seat height makes getting in and out easy, without much crouching or discomfort. The V CVT offers a well-appointed interior with the necessary features, and the Honda badge brings with it peace of mind and reliability.

In the 350cc space, bikes like the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350 and Honda CB350 trio make for good options considering your mixed usage. All of them have upright ergonomics, comfortable suspension setups and decent fuel economy. If you are open to waiting for a few months, Bajaj will be releasing 350cc versions of all the Triumph 400cc bikes. These will offer you noticeably more performance than the aforementioned air-cooled 350s while being priced similarly.

Within your budget, you should look at bikes like the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Honda CB350 and Triumph Speed 400. Of these four, the Speed 400 will be the fastest, but it also offers a good level of comfort and usability for daily use. Its tractable engine, short gearing and light clutch will make it a good city companion. The other three bikes are more relaxed in their nature but will still offer a tangible step up from your old Hornet 160, especially in the comfort they offer you. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one suits your riding style best before making a decision.

Considering your stature, in the Yamaha stable, instead of the MT-15, we'd recommend looking at the new XSR155. While both are mechanically near-identical, the XSR is a more spacious machine than the MT. Since this will be your first bike, the XSR will prove to be the most manageable and approachable. Thanks to its lighter weight and unintimidating power output. The Bajaj Pulsar N160 you're considering is a good option, but it will be the slowest of all the bikes you've shortlisted. However, if all you're going to do is potter around town, then getting the Pulsar makes sense as it is the most city-friendly bike here. Coming to the two Pulsar NS models, the NS200 will feel quite sporty and engaging while still being friendly enough for city use. However, the bigger NS400Z isn't the most city-friendly machine. Also, it will return lower fuel economy owing to its larger engine. The Honda CB350 models are very different to ride, thanks to their neo-retro leanings. It will be the most comfortable and relaxed machine of all the bikes you're considering. Lastly, the TVS Apache RTR 310 is actually quite a capable do-it-all machine, and will give you room to grow as a rider, too. Since you are considering multiple bikes with different riding styles and at very different price points, we'd recommend you first decide on your budget. After that, choose within that range accordingly. Also, take a thorough test ride of everything you shortlist.