•4d

I have been riding Xpulse 2004V for the last 3 years for Adventure & Touring with my wife. I would be looking to acquire a step-up motorcycle by next year or so. I'm also very excited for the Bigger Xpulse 421 since the first spy shots that came 2-3 years ago. Should I be looking for existing options in the 400-500cc category or wait and consider the new Hero ADV?

•12m

Since you have mentioned that you will use your next bike for two-up touring with your better half, as you have done with your Xpulse 200, we'd recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. The Himalayan's seating and suspension comfort are the benchmark in its class, and with its powerful 452cc engine will definitely feel like a good step up from your Xpulse 200. Do bear in mind that the Himalayan is a much larger and heavier bike, and in that sense, you will need to make your peace with its sheer physical size if you do purchase it.

If you want something similarly capable, yet lighter, then the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure models should be on your radar. The KTMs have even better performance and handling, and if you are a spirited rider, these will suit you better. Do bear in mind that the KTM Adventure models' seating and suspension comfort isn't as good as the Himalayan, although the difference isn't that big, and you can fix the seating issue in the aftermarket for not a lot of money. Engine refinement isn't a strong point of the KTM 390s, and you should expect more rattles and vibrations from them than the Himalayan.

Since these are quite different to each other, take test rides of both before you make a decision.

It's unclear when the Hero Xpulse 421 will launch, and even when it does, we'd recommend you don't immediately purchase an all-new product on a brand-new platform before the media and owners have had their say about it.

Explore bikes mentioned

Hero MotoCorp

Xpulse 200 4V

from ₹1.70 Lakh

Royal Enfield

Himalayan

from ₹3.67 Lakh

KTM

390 Adventure

from ₹3.39 Lakh

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More questions on similar bikes

•2d

I have a BS-IV Hero Duet bought in 2017. I was thinking about upgrading to the Hero Xoom 125, which is compatible with E20 petrol. But now I have learnt that the government may roll out higher ethanol blends. What should I do?

•10h

We'd advise you to go ahead with your new scooter's purchase because for the short to mid-term, E20 will be the current baseline blend of petrol available on a nationwide scale. Speaking strictly about material compatibility, E20 machines should be able to handle up to E30 fuel with the fuel tank, rubber seals, gaskets and hoses all ready to support the higher blend. What will need recalibration is the ECU to handle the higher ethanol content in the fuel, which is something that will have to come from the manufacturer.

•11h

I need to buy a bike for fuel-efficient daily rides of approximately 40 km. My maximum budget is 3 lakhs. Please suggest.

•1h

Since you have the budget that permits you to venture into the 300-400cc category if you so wish, you can look at the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350, any of the Honda CB350 models and even the 350cc Triumph 400 models like the Speed T4 and Speed 400. These bikes are premium machines with larger engines than normal commuters, which means fuel economy will range between 30-40kpl most likely, although mileage can vary quite widely depending on multiple factors. If you want to prioritise fuel economy and instead settle for something more frugal, like a 160cc commuter will be our recommendation. Options like the Bajaj Pulsar N160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Honda Unicorn / SP160 are our picks in this class. The Apache and Pulsar are more powerful and feature-rich machines, while the Unicorn and SP160 are straightforward, no-nonsense commuters. Make sure to decide which segment you want to shop in and then take a test ride of all the options in that class before you make your decision.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Royal Enfield Classic 350

Royal Enfield Bullet 350

TVS Apache RTR 160 4V

Honda Bikes Unicorn

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•4d

I am very much impressed by the Norton Atlas adv. Should I wait for it, or is there any other similar adv, right now, close to it in specs but better? Also, I want only an adv. Highway touring is a priority, and the budget is 7L.

•1h

The only real peer to the Norton Atlas available currently is the Kawasaki Versys 650, which comfortably blows past your Rs 7 lakh budget, limiting your choice to waiting for the Atlas. The new Norton ADV looks very impressive on paper, but we'd recommend you take the sensible and patient route and wait for some time after the bike is launched before purchasing it, so any teething issues that do arise can be ironed out by the time you are an owner.

Norton Motorcycles Atlas

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Popular discussions right now

•6d

Right now, we seem to be on the verge of a major green mobility revolution in the Indian automotive industry. The Government of India has announced and started making E85 petrol available at select fuel stations. However, if the recent Iran-US peace deal and stability in the Strait of Hormuz are sustained, crude oil prices could potentially fall back to pre-conflict levels. Given such a scenario, should a new car buyer opt for a flex-fuel vehicle, an EV, or a conventional petrol/diesel vehicle from their preferred brand?

•6d

A new car buyer should not make a purchase decision based on short-term fluctuations in crude oil prices or geopolitical events. Even if crude prices soften, vehicle ownership is typically a 7-10 year decision, while fuel prices can change dramatically several times during that period. The best approach is to buy based on your usage pattern, not on what fuel prices may do over the next few months.If your usage is predominantly city driving with access to home charging, an EV still makes a lot of sense because of its low running costs, smooth driving experience and lower maintenance requirements.If you cover high monthly mileages and spend a lot of time on highways, a diesel can still be a compelling option, particularly in larger SUVs.For most buyers, however, a regular petrol or hybrid remains the safest and most hassle-free choice today. Modern petrol engines are already compatible with current ethanol blends and there is no urgent need to wait for flex-fuel vehicles.As for flex-fuel cars, the technology is promising, but it still has a long way to go before it makes complete financial sense. The government will likely have to keep E85 priced significantly below regular petrol to offset the efficiency penalty. In our recent E85 versus E20 mileage test on a flex-fuel Suzuki Gixxer SF 250, fuel efficiency dropped from 38.1kpl on E20 to 28.8kpl on E85, a reduction of over 24 percent. Even though E85 was around Rs. 20 per litre cheaper, the lower efficiency meant the running cost per kilometer was actually higher on E85.

Suzuki Gixxer 250

•1d

I have lower back pain and currently ride a Bullet 350 ES with gas-filled rear suspension and a well-padded touring seat. It is comfortable on long rides, but fuel efficiency with E20 fuel is a major issue. I also have to use additives or fill premium petrol; otherwise, power delivery becomes jerky. Putting XP100 improves efficiency substantially, but the price difference is significant, and availability is limited. I want to buy an additional scooter or a 100-150cc motorcycle that is very kind on my back. I recently read about the Destini 110 having superb plush suspension. What else would you suggest within a budget of under Rs. 1 lakh for around 150km of daily riding? The bike must have excellent suspension and ride quality.

•12h

Since your daily run is quite long and you value comfort and fuel efficiency over all else, we'd recommend you stick with a commuter motorcycle. In your budget, if you want a bike that's comfortable over bad roads, then the Bajaj Platina 110 is our recommendation. Its thickly padded seat, pliant suspension and neutral ergonomics will keep you comfortable for longer distances over all sorts of roads. The Platina's one big drawback is that it cannot be had with a disc brake, and its drums provide only adequate performance.In that vein, it would be prudent to look at the TVS Radeon. The Radeon has similar strong suits as the Platina, but it can be had with a front disc brake on its top variant, which is the one we'd recommend for reliable stopping power over a longer duration.Take test rides of both to see which one you resonate with more before you make your decision.

Bajaj Platina 110

TVS Radeon

•6d

I'm currently planning to replace my old scooter, a 2016 Honda Aviator, and was considering the Hero Destini 125. However, with the government's increasing focus on higher ethanol fuel blends, I'm confused about whether buying a petrol-powered two-wheeler right now is the right decision. My usage is around 50plus km of daily commuting, along with occasional long trips. I plan to keep the vehicle for the long term and need good fuel efficiency, which is why the Hero Destini 125 appeals to me. Should I go ahead with the Destini, wait for more clarity on future fuel norms, or consider switching to an EV? I'm still hesitant about EVs because the technology is evolving, and the charging infrastructure will likely take more time to mature. What would you recommend?

•6d

In addition to the Hero Destini 125, we'd recommend you also consider the TVS Jupiter 125 and the Suzuki Access, too. As overall packages, the TVS and Suzuki are better options than the Hero, although the Destini definitely has a slight edge in terms of overall comfort. In terms of fuel efficiency, all three are quite closely matched and are frugal machines, but long-term ownership should be slightly more trouble-free on the Access. Before you make your decision, take a test ride of all three back-to-back to understand the strong and weak points of all. Currently, E20 fuel is here to stay, and any higher blends are still some time away.

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New bike launches to explore

KTM 390 Adventure

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