Hi Autocar team - I’m deciding between the 2025 Bajaj Dominar 400 and the Triumph Scrambler 400 X. I’m 6 ft tall and find the Dominar more comfortable for my height, but I’d like to know which bike is more reliable in the long run and easier to maintain. My budget is around ₹2.5 lakh, so value for money matters. Also, why hasn’t Autocar published a proper review of the 2025 Dominar 400 yet? I’d appreciate your advice.

autocar.india

•5d

If you can live with its tall 835mm seat height, the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X seems like a bike that would suit your needs very well. Even the Speed 400 will handle all of this but the Scrambler brings an effortless ability to tackle rough roads which its road-focused sibling doesn't. You should also check out the Royal Enfield Scram 440 because it will be similarly capable over longer distances and bad roads but it does have a lower performance ceiling owing to its less powerful engine and heavier kerb weight. A test ride of these 2 should help you decide which one suits your needs better.

autocar.india

•1d

With 40 percent city and 60 percent highway use, the 3XO is the better fit among your three choices. Its turbo petrol engine has considerably stronger low- and mid-range performance than the Brezza and Amaze, which will be useful on state highways, particularly when carrying passengers and luggage. It also has a well-judged ride that copes well with broken roads.The Brezza ZXi AT would be the choice for easier ownership. Its petrol engine is smoother, and Maruti's service network is a significant advantage, while its ride quality is very good on poor roads. It is also the more relaxed choice if outright performance is not important.The Amaze ZX CVT is worth considering if you prefer a sedan. Its CVT is smooth, and the suspension is comfortable over rough city roads, while the large boot is useful for highway trips. However, its engine lacks the punch of the 3XO, particularly with a full load, and the cabin is narrower.The Skoda Kylaq 1.0 TSI AT is also worth adding to the shortlist if driving enjoyment is important. It has a well sorted chassis and a conventional automatic, making it particularly appealing for your highway heavy usage.

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Maruti Suzuki Brezza

Honda Amaze

Skoda Kylaq

autocar.india

•4d

Since you seem like a mature rider and will be getting a motorcycle after a long wait, we'd recommend splurging a little and getting a more premium machine like the Honda CB350RS or the upcoming Triumph Bonneville 400. These bikes will not only perform better than the TVS Ronin, they will also deliver a sense of occassion and premiumness which the TVS simply won't be able to match. Coming to the bikes themselves, the CB350 is a known quantity and delivers a comfortable and laidback riding experience with trademark Japanese reliability to boot. The Bonneville 400 hasn't been launched yet (although it seems like its not that far away either) but going by our previous experience with other Bajaj-built Triumphs, we expect it to be a competent machine although we'll reserve our full judgement until we ride the baby Bonnie. We'd recommend you wait a couple of months until we can ride the Bonneville and once reviews are out you can choose between it and the CB350. Do bear in mind that with every all-new model, there are almost certain to be some teething niggles at the start so waiting 6-8 months until the manufacturer sorts them out would be prudent. And before you go ahead with your purchase, taking a test ride of whatever is on your shortlist should be done too.