Autocar India
•34w

I want to upgrade from my 2013 Honda Shine and am looking for a peppy-performing motorcycle for city use only. Please suggest options in the 125cc and 150-160cc segments.

Verified
•31w
In the 125cc category, you have a long list of options with varying body types and feature sets. In the traditional commuter class, you could consider the Honda Shine and the Hero Super Splendor Xtec / Glamour models. If you want a sporty-looking, feature-rich commuter, you can consider the Honda CB125 Hornet, TVS Raider, and Hero Xtreme 125R.
In the 160cc category, bikes like the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V would be our recommendations on the sportier end of the scale. If you want a simple, straightforward commuter, the Honda Unicorn and any of the Yamaha FZ models will serve you well.
Take a thorough test ride of the bikes you shortlist before you decide.
TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Explore bikes mentioned

Honda Bikes Shine 125

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Shine 125

from ₹96,580

Hero MotoCorp Super Splendor Xtec

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Super Splendor Xtec

from ₹1.00 Lakh

TVS Raider

TVS

Raider

from ₹97,170

Hero MotoCorp Xtreme 125R

Hero MotoCorp

Xtreme 125R

from ₹1.08 Lakh

Bajaj Pulsar N160

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Pulsar N160

from ₹1.35 Lakh

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

TVS

Apache RTR 160 4V

from ₹1.41 Lakh

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•6d

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
•13h

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.

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•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
•1d

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.

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•6d

I am planning to buy a new motorcycle, and my priorities are reliability, good fuel efficiency, and low cost of ownership. I am currently confused between the Honda Unicorn 160 and the Bajaj Pulsar N160 (single-seat, single-channel ABS variant). Which of these two would be the better choice? Also, are there any other motorcycles in this segment that I should consider based on my requirements?

Verified
•6d

It seems that you value peace of mind over everything else, so choosing an unimpeachable product like the Honda Unicorn will be a safer bet. The Unicorn can't match the Pulsar in terms of outright performance, handling or features, but it consistently provides reliable transportation to lakhs of Indians, which makes it the better fit for your needs. It would also be advisable to throw the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V into the mix. To be sure, take test rides of all three before you make your decision.

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•2w

I've been riding a Honda Shine 125 for the last 12 years and am planning to upgrade to the Harley-Davidson X440 T. Is it a good motorcycle for a 60km daily commute?

Verified
•6d

The Harley-Davidson X440T makes for a good commuting companion with its torquey yet smooth long-stroke single-cylinder engine, neutral ergonomics and plush suspension setup. Depending on the traffic on your route as well as the way you ride, fuel economy will vary, but you should expect a big drop from your Shine 125 in this regard.If you want a similiar riding experience but a machine that is more affordable and with better fuel economy, consider the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 and Honda CB350 models. These machines have similar attributes to the bigger X440 T, but with their smaller engines, they will be more fuel-efficient, although of course, you will have to sacrifice some peak output.Take test rides of these machines before you make your decision, depending on which one you prefer the most.

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I'm upgrading from a Honda Hornet CB160 and am considering the Harley-Davidson X440 T or the Honda H'ness CB350. My riding is mostly in the city, but I can stretch my budget if the bike is worth the extra money.

Verified
•6d

Since your usage is mostly in the city, the added performance that the Harley-Davidson X440T brings over the Honda CB350 H'ness is unlikely to make a big enough difference to justify the big price difference between the two. Additionally, the Honda bike will also return much better fuel economy owing to its smaller, more efficient engine. Both are on a similar level when it comes to comfort, so the CB350 H'ness is the more logical buy between the two. Take a test ride of both to see which one you're leaning towards more before you make a decision.

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•2w

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The River Indie is a scooter that is both comfortable for larger riders and has the largest boot on any Indian electric scooter, measuring 43 litres. You should get a range of 100km on a single charge if ridden sensibly in the middle 'Ride' mode, and River has also built an excellent reputation for service quality and experience, even if its volumes aren't as big as the heavy hitters in the market. Take a test ride of the Indie before you make your decision to make an informed purchase.

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Posted on: 19 Dec 2025