I have been riding the Dominar 250 since 2021 and I am looking for an upgrade. I am basically looking into the touring segment as that’s my main vision. One of my choices is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 and I can't find any other touring bikes under 5 lakhs. Please find me a better upgrade from 250cc to a next step machine. I am not looking into the inline 4s because I feel the maintenance will be troublesome.

Rithik Shankar, Mananthavady

Autocar India says: If you are willing to look at the used market, you may find some Kawasaki Versys 650 examples within your budget. The Versys is a fantastic tourer, but its maintenance costs are on the higher side. 

If you want a new machine, there are not many big touring bikes that you will get for less than Rs 5 lakh. We suggest that you try out the new Royal Enfield Himalayan. It will comfortably fit within your budget and it will offer a big step up from your Dominar in terms of performance. The new Himalayan is designed with touring in mind and has proven itself to not only be comfortable but also very capable both on and off road. The only thing to consider is that it’s a big and tall motorcycle and this is something that you should try out. 

If the Himalayan is not to your taste, you could take a look at the Interceptor 650 or the recently revealed Shotgun 650 for a twin cylinder experience within your budget. The Shotgun will go on sale in India early next year and it should be a more comfortable and more affordable version of the Super Meteor 650. Look out for our review in Jan 2024.