I am 4′11″ tall and want a lightweight petrol scooter with a budget of ₹1 lakh. Please suggest.

Autocar India

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Whether or not any motorcycle is the right choice for you is something we cannot decide for you. You should take a comprehensive test ride and weigh its pros and cons as well as see its fitness for purpose before you make your decision.Royal Enfield, like other manufacturers, periodically introduces new colours for its offerings, and it could do so for the Classic 650, although a timeline for this isn't known. Lastly, the tubeless spoke wheels for the Classic 650 have been a major ask from both the mainstream media as well as paying customers. Royal Enfield usually listens and acts proactively on this feedback, but as of now, the company hasn't officially commented on when these wheels will be fitted to the bigger Classic.

Autocar India

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In the 650cc segment, both Kawasaki and Triumph offer multiple options which cater to different use cases so before you start looking at a particular bike, its important to figure out which one suits you best. In the Kawasaki bike lineup you have the Z650, Z650RS, Ninja 650, Vulcan S and Versys 650. If you're mainly going to be riding in the city, any of them - except the Versys - will be a good tool for the job. Pick the one you like the styling and rider's position of the most. From Triumph bike lineup, you have the 660cc Trident, Daytona and Tiger Sport. Since you'll be using the bike mainly in the city, the Trident and Daytona make more sense and we’d advise choosing the one you prefer in terms of looks and seating position. The Daytona is a fair deal more powerful than the Trident so that's something to bear in mind. Another point to keep in mind that these imported motorcycles are generally more complicated and expensive to own and maintain.

Autocar India

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The Honda CB350 H'ness and Triumph Speed T4 offer similar riding experience with their relaxed engines and upright ergonomics, although the T4 will be quicker owing to its more powerful engine. The Speed 400 is a cut above in terms of performance and handling but it doesn't really come at the expense of comfort. You should take a test ride of these three before you choose so you can figure out which one is best for you.Additionally, we'd also recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 because these bikes are very comfortable, offer upright riding positions and a plush suspension setup. Yes, these are heavier and slower than the aforementioned bikes but for city use, the 350cc Royal Enfields are something that fit the bill perfectly and as you've put it, won't feel "boring" after a longer period as long as you don't demand frenetic performance.

Autocar India

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Since your usage includes both city riding and highway runs, we would strongly recommend you go with the TVS Ntorq 150. The bigger Ntorq's engine can sustain 70-90kph easily on the highway, it is a stable and comfortable machine even at higher speeds, and most importantly, comes with the safety net of single-channel ABS, which will protect you in case you encounter a situation where you need to jam on the brakes.Be aware that since the Ntorq 150 has a large engine, its fuel economy is likely to be much lower than the 110-125cc options in the mainstream market. Although in isolation, when ridden sensibly, it does return good fuel efficiency.If budget is a constraint and you still want a scooter with ABS and one that returns good fuel economy, look no further than the top 2 variants of the latest-gen Suzuki Access 125. The Access remains the only 125cc scooter to offer you single-channel ABS from a reputed and established brand in India. It is also a well-sorted, comfortable and fuel-efficient scooter which has carved out its reputation for being reliable, so realistically over a longer ownership period, you shouldn't face many surprises.Decide how much you need to spend on your next purchase and take a test ride of the Access and Ntorq before you make a decision.

Autocar India

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If you don't mind the look of the Harley-Davidson X440 S, then you should go ahead and buy that bike. Conventional mirrors are easier to use and during lane filtering, they don't protrude as much as bar-end ones. The ride-by-wire throttle on the X440 T does not offer any significant real-world advantage over the S variant's cable throttle, nor does it bring in significant improvements in performance in this application. The only reason to consider the T variant would be its improved fit and finish, a more cohesive tail section design and slightly better controlled suspension damping.

Autocar India

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Buying a new or used vehicle depends mainly on two factors: your mindset regarding used vehicles, as well as the price and condition of the vehicle in question.If you plan to use the scooter every day for many years, a new one from the showroom is usually the safer bet. If your budget is tight or you only need it for a short period, a good pre-owned scooter can save money.A new scooter works well when you want zero hassle. You get full warranty, a few free services, and roadside help, so surprises are rare. The trade-off is the high on-road price, higher first-year insurance, and the biggest drop in value happens in the first couple of years.On the flip side, a used scooter makes sense when you find a clean one at a lower price. The catch is risk. You must deal with unknown wear and tear, and there’s also the chance that the vehicle might be out of warranty coverage.Simple rule: pick new if you ride daily, plan to keep it long, or are someone who wants worry-free ownership. Pick used only if you can verify service records, the scooter is fairly recent and in good shape, and the price difference is substantial.