Gopalganj

•13w

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?

•12w

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 ₹1.73 Lakh

Royal Enfield

Himalayan

from ₹3.58 Lakh

KTM

390 Adventure

from ₹3.31 Lakh

•11w•

My Budget is 2.50 L I am having fz v3.0. since 3.5 yrs. Wanted to upgrade to a Good cruising bike. Half of my travel is with potholes and clean roads. On weekends I would like to Travel long distance let's say about 200 - 400 kms. I have a confusion between Ronin and Xpulse 210. Which 1 should I consider????

•11w•

More posts on similar bikes

•5d

Which bike should I choose to replace my CB350 for weekend rides, with 80-120 kph cruising ability, peppy performance and good refinement for fatigue-free riding? I have taken the test drive of V-Storm SX but didn't like it. I’m considering the KTM Adv 390 (350cc), KTM Adv 398cc, Himalayan 450, Tuono 457 and Versys X300. Off-road usage will be minimal and refinement will be an added advantage for fatigue free riding under Rs. 3-5 lakh budget. Among these bikes, which one will you suggest?

•2d

From the adventure bikes you've shortlisted, the KTM 390 Adventure X (398cc) and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are our top picks. The KTM has a sportier character while the RE is more well-rounded. The Aprilia Tuono 457 is a sublime motorcycle but service is on the pricier side and dealer network too is far smaller than established Indian and Japanese brands. Depending on the sort of rider you are, after taking a test ride of all three, you should make your decision.

KTM 390 Adventure X

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition

•3d

Hi Autocar India, I’m planning to buy my first proper motorcycle and I’d really like your recommendation based on my overall riding style rather than just a comparison between two bikes. I’m based in Hyderabad and my maximum budget is around Rs. 3-3.5 lakh on-road. My regular usage would be around 20-30 km a day in the city for roughly 20 days a month, but I also want to go for regular highway rides and occasional 300-600 km trips. I’m interested in doing longer rides such as Ladakh, although I’m not looking for hardcore off-roading. My priorities are strong acceleration and good pickup and therefore, I don’t want a bike that feels underpowered while overtaking or riding with a pillion/luggage. I want a bike that is comfortable for highway cruising at around 90-120 km/h with good stability and comfort for long-distance. The bike should offer reasonable mileage and manageable running costs. I am looking for bike that can handle both city riding and touring without being too tiring. Reliability and good service support are also important because I plan to keep the bike for several years. I’m okay with a heavier motorcycle if the weight is manageable while moving. I’m open to singles or twins and even 300-600cc if the bike genuinely suits my requirements. Styling is also important to me. I don’t particularly want the most common KTM/Duke-type motorcycle on the road. I like motorcycles with a distinctive, mature or premium character. I’m increasingly interested in cruisers and bobbers as well such as the Honda Rebel 300, Harley-Davidson X440, Dominar 400, etc. but I’m not fixed on a cruiser. I also like bikes such as the V-Strom and sport-tourers, so I’m genuinely open to different categories. I’ve considered bikes such as the Dominar 400, V-Strom 250, Himalayan 450, X440, Apache RR 310, Ninja 300, Rebel 300 and some KTM Adventure models. I’m finding it difficult because every bike has a different compromise. I’d therefore like your honest expert recommendation: if you were choosing one motorcycle for my exact usage, budget, riding style and long-term plans, which bikes would you shortlist and why? Please consider performance, highway cruising, comfort, touring ability, city usability, reliability, mileage, service/ownership costs and whether the bike will still feel satisfying after a few years. Also, if you think I’m approaching the purchase from the wrong category entirely, please tell me that and suggest what type of motorcycle I should actually be looking at. I’m not simply looking for the bike with the biggest engine or the highest specifications but I want the motorcycle that makes the most sense for the way I will actually ride.

•2d

You seem like someone who is going to use the bike for a variety of purposes, so getting a capable adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 would be our first recommendation. The Himalayan is an effortless machine both on the highway and inside the city, so long as you are cognizant of and comfortable with its size and heft. If you want a similar alternative in the neo-retro world, the Harley-Davidson X440 is a good option to consider. Similarly, it would also be prudent to wait for the imminent arrival of the Honda CB500, as that has the makings of being a do-it-all and capable neo-retro machine. A test ride of these bikes will help you decide which one makes the most sense for you.

Royal Enfield Himalayan

Honda Bikes CB500

Harley Davidson X440

•2d

I want to buy my first bike. I already have an Activa but I would like to travel around 300-600 km once in a month or once in two months for 20- 30 km a day in city. I wanted to travel in North India sometimes which may include a Ladakh trip as well. So, I need a bike that is suitable for all of my requirements under a budget of around 3 to 3.5 lakh. I have Suzuki V-Strom SX, Triumph Speed 400, Meteor 350 and all such kinds of bikes in mind. I've checked each and every bike specifications but I couldn't decide .So please help me out in choosing my first bike.

•11h

If you can live with its tall 835mm seat height, the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X seems like a bike that would suit your needs very well. Even the Speed 400 will handle all of this but the Scrambler brings an effortless ability to tackle rough roads which its road-focused sibling doesn't. You should also check out the Royal Enfield Scram 440 because it will be similarly capable over longer distances and bad roads but it does have a lower performance ceiling owing to its less powerful engine and heavier kerb weight. A test ride of these 2 should help you decide which one suits your needs better.

Triumph Scrambler 400 X

Triumph Speed 400

Royal Enfield Scram 440

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•4d

Hi, I am 35 years old. I have a sitting job in IT. Could you please suggest most comfortable bike in suspension considering I suffer from back and neck pain at work that increases while riding in city as well as my height (169 cm) and weight (68 kg) on city roads in India. Please consider city potholes. I will have to travel 20km daily in weekdays till Friday and on weekends, it will be 200 km. Earlier, I had Yamaha FZ S FI but I no longer own it. Now I own my father's Hero Super Splendor XTEC only. I was checking out Royal Enfield Classic 350, Meteor 350, Honda CB350 H'ness, Triumph Speed 400, etc. I had taken the test drive of Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 (2024 Model), but for my weight, during road bumping, it directly transfers shock and and vibration to my back. Please suggest your valuable feedback.

•2d

In our experience, all of the bikes you have shortlisted (aside from the Meteor to some extent) have proven to be adept at shielding the rider from road imperfections. Since you have mentioned that the Classic isn't doing the trick for you, perhaps it could mean that for your physique a bike with a different riding position may be the solution. Take a test ride of the Hunter 350, which now has very absorptive suspension and a similar feel from the engine. You should also consider the Harley-Davidson X440 (splurge for the nicer looking T if you can) as that bike also has a comfortable suspension setup and seating posture.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Harley Davidson X440

•2d

I am almost a beginner driver and planning to buy a used automatic car under a budget of around Rs. 8.5 lakh. My usage will be roughly 70% city and 30% highway driving. My main priorities are a decent automatic and good safety. I have ended up considering a 2023 Tata Punch AMT, but I’ve heard that it can feel underpowered and may not inspire much confidence while overtaking on highways. I have also heard about the AMT being jerky. Would love to hear from anyone who has owned or regularly driven a Punch AMT. How has your experience been, especially with highway driving?

•2d

The Tata Punch AMT is a city car, thanks to its high seating and light controls, but your concerns are valid. The AMT gearbox is not very smooth, and the 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine feels underpowered on the highway, especially during overtaking.Given your budget of Rs 8.5 lakh and your 70% city, 30% highway usage, we would recommend looking at a used Maruti Suzuki Brezza AT or a used Toyota Urban Cruiser AT instead. Both are essentially the same car underneath, powered by a 1.5 petrol engine and offer a proper 4-speed torque converter automatic gearbox, which is much smoother and easier to live with than an AMT.You could also consider a used example of the Nissan Magnite Turbo CVT - it is newer, easy to drive, has a smooth automatic and the turbo-petrol makes performance feel effortless.

I currently own a Hunter 350 and am considering buying a new bike. I ride around 25 to 30 km a day, mostly in the city with moderate traffic. I find the Hunter 350 a little underpowered for my liking, so I’m looking for something with better performance. My budget is around Rs 3 lakh, but I can stretch it to Rs 5 lakh if a twin-cylinder bike is worth considering.

•16h

Since you already have a Hunter 350 and want more power for your daily commutes, stepping up to the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 would be the logical move. The Guerrilla has a punchy engine with a strong mid-range which makes for a brisk yet effortless commuting partner. While the Guerrilla has engaging handling, its suspension is also reasonably pliant to tackle the daily grind. Given that you have experience dealing with the Royal Enfield sales and service network, your ownership of the Guerrilla should also be fairly straightforward and trouble-free. If you want a twin-cylinder experience, then the Aprilia Tuono 457 special edition should be on your radar. The Tuono has sublime handling, a characterful engine that belts out a lovely soundtrack and its also a fairly uncommon sight on our roads, giving you an air of exclusivity. Do bear in mind that the Aprilia dealer network is quite small and service will likely be pricier than its single-cylinder rivals.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

Aprilia Tuono 457 Special Edition

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