I live in Bangalore and have a budget of ₹3 lakh. My riding will mostly be once-a-week 40 km office commutes and short gym trips, with occasional touring. Currently, the KTM Duke 250 seems like the most practical choice because it balances city and some highway usage. I don’t want to buy adventure bikes. I considered the Triumph Speed 400, but I’m worried about its lower city mileage and maintenance costs. I’m open to suggestions—if you can explain any real-world advantages of the Speed 400 or other bikes in this price range that I might be missing, I’d love to hear them.

Autocar India

•14h

Pretty much every single 150-160cc commuter comes with at least single-channel ABS, so that won't be a deciding factor for you. Our top picks in this class are the Bajaj Pulsar N160 and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V if you want something sportier and feature-rich. If you want to stick to a simple, no-nonsense machine, then the Honda Unicorn remains a safe bet. If ridden sensibly, you should see in excess of 45kpl for all of these 150cc bikes.In the 125cc class, if having ABS is non-negotiable, then your options are restricted to the TVS Raider and Honda CB125 Hornet. Of these three, the TVS is our top recommendation. The 125s will be quite fuel-efficient, and you'll seldom see a mileage figure below 50kpl, no matter your riding style.You should first decide which segment you want to stick with and then take a test ride of the bikes accordingly before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•1d

The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has a very manageable 765mm seat height, which should suit your stature. But if you want the lowest 350cc Royal Enfield bike, then it would be the Goan Classic. The Goan has an even lower 750mm perch, which will be even easier to flatfoot.Do bear in mind that the Goan Classic's handlebars are taller than usual, and this is something you should pay attention to on a test ride. We'd advise taking test rides of both the Meteor and Goan and pick whichever one suits you best and the one you prefer the look of more.

Autocar India

•5d

In our experience, neither the Yamaha Aerox 155 nor the Hero Xoom 160 have proven to be comfortable, especially over broken roads. Instead of these two, we'd recommend you give a long, hard look at the TVS Ntorq 150. On paper, it might seem like a step down compared to the Yamaha and Hero with its 12-inch wheels and air-cooled engine, but in reality, it is the better product. With plush suspension, a spacious underseat storage and peppy performance, the bigger Ntorq makes for a compelling sporty scooter that doesn't sacrifice practicality. In our routine tests, we also found that - when ridden gently - it can be surprisingly fuel efficient. Do take a test ride of the Ntorq 150 to see if it resonates with you.