Hi, I own a 2015 Bajaj Pulsar RS200 non-ABS variant. I use it as a daily commuter, and my weekend trips have reduced over the past three years since I use my car on weekends. I have clocked around 40,000 km. I now feel that the headlight brightness is not great. Do you suggest switching to an aftermarket white LED light? If yes, which brand should I go for? Also, please suggest the best auxiliary fog lights, preferably with options for both white and amber light.

autocar.india

•34m

Given your priorities of pillion comfort, relaxed ergonomics, reliability and 4-cylinder smoothness, the Kawasaki Versys 1100 seems like a shoo-in for your requirements. It is a superb long-distance touring machine with supremely comfortable ergonomics and a smooth inline-four engine that is well suited to effortless highway cruising. Kawasaki’s service network is quite widespread (in the context of big bikes in India), and the Versys is generally known for reasonable maintenance costs compared to its European rivals.Honestly, even the Ninja 1100SX deserves to be considered because it is a supremely refined and comfortable machine too, while being a good deal lighter than the Versys. Since it is a conventional sport tourer, the wind buffeting issue which plagues most adventure bikes / tall rounders is also not present here, aiding its mile-munching capabilities. The only small - but manageable - worry is the 135mm ground clearance number, but if you're cautious you can tackle most Indian roads without too much trouble.The Triumph Tiger 900 is a very capable adventure tourer with a strong triple-cylinder engine, but it does not offer the same level of refinement or comfort as the Versys, although in isolation its really quite impressive. The Tiger will be a good deal lighter than the Versys (and other options you've shortlisted) and will therefore be easier to manage.Both the BMW R 1200 GS Adventure and Honda Africa Twin are discontinued models, and you'll have to scour the used market for a clean example. Beware that the big bike used market is quite hit-or-miss, and it's easy to get misled, so be extra cautious when looking at used examples of both.

autocar.india

•1h

Based on your requirements, the Triumph Speed T4 would be our recommendation. It strikes the best balance between daily comfort and weekend touring capability. The riding position is upright and relaxed, making it easy to live with in the city, while the engine is punchy enough for highway cruising and overtakes while simultaneously having a lovely low- and mid-range pull which helps in city traffic. It also feels more modern and engaging than the Honda CB350, which is a relaxed neo-retro but not as versatile or exciting to ride.If you can make the stretch for the Speed 400, certainly do, as it brings in better componentry, higher levels of fit & finish and more performance to the table while retaining all the strong points of the T4. The TVS Apache RTX 300 offers near-unbeatable value for money and, on paper, is very hard to fault. However, for all its strengths, it is plagued by some reliability concerns and after-sales issues, which make it hard to put our faith in it.

autocar.india

•3h

Of the two, the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X is surely the more capable machine in most scenarios but if you like the Honda CB350RS more, you should definitely go for the Honda. Especially, since you are only going to use it for your daily commute. The CB is likely to be more fuel efficient than the Scrambler, especially inside the city, although fuel economy is something that's quite variable and depends on your riding style, prevailing traffic and weather conditions as well as a myriad of other factors. There is also the fact that the Honda is much more affordable than the Triumph, and if you're mainly going to be using it in the city, then the added premium that the Scrambler commands may not feel justified, as you will rarely explore the full breadth of its capabilities.