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Hi Autocar Team. I’m a 28-year-old man, 5 ft 4 in tall, planning to buy my first motorcycle. I really love the cafe racer body style and want to buy a bike in this segment. My budget is ₹5 lakh, and I will use it for daily city commuting of about 8-10 km and short weekend trips. My focus is on good mileage, comfort, low maintenance costs and a strong, reputable service network. Please suggest a suitable motorcycle.

Asked by: Sugam Bera

Cafe racers are known for many things, but comfort isn't one of them - we must clarify this at the outset before we proceed. Since this is going to be your first motorcycle, we'd recommend getting a roadster or street naked because they will be vastly more comfortable and usable. 

As a first bike, there is a litany of good options from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, TVS and Royal Enfield. Look for something around the 25-30hp mark ideally. 

If you really have your heart set on a cafe racer, the only two options in your budget are the Triumph Thruxton 400 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. Both are quite powerful and won't be ideal beginner machines because of their committed riding positions. The Royal Enfield is also a rather heavy machine, which won't be easy to manage due to your stature. 

Triumph Thruxton 400

Triumph Thruxton 400

Answered by
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Autocar India team21 Dec' 25

Latest questions

Asked by: Sugam Bera

Hi Autocar Team. I’m a 28-year-old man, 5 ft 4 in tall, planning to buy my first motorcycle. I really love the cafe racer body style and want to buy a bike in this segment. My budget is ₹5 lakh, and I will use it for daily city commuting of about 8-10 km and short weekend trips. My focus is on good mileage, comfort, low maintenance costs and a strong, reputable service network. Please suggest a suitable motorcycle.

Cafe racers are known for many things, but comfort isn't one of them - we must clarify this at the outset before we proceed. Since this is going to be your first motorcycle, we'd recommend getting a roadster or street naked because they will be vastly more comfortable and usable. As a first bike, there is a litany of good options from Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, TVS and Royal Enfield. Look for something around the 25-30hp mark ideally. If you really have your heart set on a cafe racer, the only two options in your budget are the Triumph Thruxton 400 and the Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. Both are quite powerful and won't be ideal beginner machines because of their committed riding positions. The Royal Enfield is also a rather heavy machine, which won't be easy to manage due to your stature.
AI
Autocar India team
21 Dec' 25
Asked by: Suyash Sharma

I want to purchase a new automatic car for my wife. She currently drives a Kwid AMT and our budget is between ₹10 lakh and ₹11 lakh. Our monthly running will be around 300-400 km, mostly in city traffic. We want a smooth, hassle-free car with good mileage and the latest technology and features. We are open to both petrol and EV options - please suggest which car to choose.

Considering your running and if you are open to an EV, the MG Comet is a good option for your wife. It is extremely easy to drive, park, and live with thanks to its compact size. Even the top variant falls within your budget and comes well-loaded with features.If it feels too small and you want something more substantial, the Maruti Suzuki Fronx AMT in the Delta Plus variant is a good fit. The 1.2 litre petrol engine is smooth and efficient, and the AMT works well for everyday use.If you prefer a more premium automatic, the Hyundai i20 with the smooth CVT transmission is also a strong option and fits comfortably within your budget.
AI
Autocar India team
21 Dec' 25
Asked by: ajay mittal

My father bought a Honda City 1.5 in 1999, and he was fond of all types of cars. He also owned a Standard double-door and even suggested the Tatkal concept to Maruti. I am still using the Honda City that my father bought in 1999, and to this day, there is no match for that generation of the Honda City. Although I own other cars as well, I still drive this amazing Honda City to my office every day.

It is great to hear that you are still enjoying your 1999 Honda City. It was a game-changer in its time and remains a very enjoyable car to drive.If you are looking for a new sedan, we would suggest waiting, as options like the Hyundai Verna, Honda City, Skoda Slavia, and Volkswagen Virtus are due for updates. If you want to buy something right now that is great to drive and looks good too, the Volkswagen Virtus GT with the 1.5 litre TSI engine is worth considering.
AI
Autocar India team
21 Dec' 25
Asked by: Pradeep

I want to upgrade my FZ-S to a 350cc+ neo-retro (not a sports bike). I’ve test-ridden most options except the Scram 440. My shortlist is the Guerrilla 450, Jawa 42 FJ and Triumph Speed 400. I liked the Jawa 42 FJ best, but online feedback about engine and service issues concerns me. The Guerrilla felt too aggressive, and the Speed 400 did not impress me visually and may be tall for my height. I need a premium-feeling bike for office use and occasional 100 km trips. I do not want a Classic 350. Please advise.

The latest Classic Legends bikes have come quite a way from their predecessors in terms of build quality and finish levels. The Jawa 42 FJ, in particular, is a machine we quite liked when we rode it. As a machine, it is a capable option, but we haven't had the chance to test its long-term reliability yet. You should also know that the company has a less-than-stellar reputation for after-sales and servicing, so do find out what the exact situation of Yezdi/Jawa service in your area is before you go ahead with the purchase. While you don't want the Classic, the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 is a good option if you want something similar in feel but different (read: modern) in its design. It is also one of the more manageable Royal Enfield bikes, which should be approachable for you. We would also recommend you test ride a Royal Enfield Scram 440 because it blends old-school charm and quite a lot of modern capability. You can also take a look at the Honda CB350 models because they look and feel more modern than their Royal Enfield counterparts and should be easy to manage in the city.
AI
Autocar India team
21 Dec' 25