I want to buy a 160cc bike for my daily office commute of around 15 km each way, which includes bad roads and heavy city traffic. I am confused between the Hero Xtreme 160R 2V and the Bajaj Pulsar N160. My height is 178 cm, and I am 36 years old. My main priority is comfort and minimizing jerks from potholes to protect my back and spine. Please share your suggestions.

autocar.india

•4h

It seems you are looking for a no-nonsense machine with absolute reliability and comfort at the forefront, in which case our recommendation is the Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has cemented its reputation as a reliable workhorse over the 2 decades it has been on sale in India, and it would be hard to go wrong with this machine. Take a test ride of the Unicorn and see if it fits your use case, and in case you feel like you want a livelier option, look at the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160.

autocar.india

•2d

Both the Honda Hornet 2.0 and Bajaj Pulsar N160 have similar performance and fuel economy in the real world, so picking between the two will boil down to which bike's design, comfort, features and overall ownership experience you prefer. The N160 is also considerably more affordable than the Hornet, and, at the Hornet's price, you could even consider the larger Pulsar N250.However, Honda bikes are generally known for their hassle-free ownership experience with bulletproof long-term reliability and low maintenance costs. Bajaj's ownership costs, too, are quite frugal, but service can be a point of friction.Take test rides of both bikes and also speak to your nearest authorised dealer and service center for both brands before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•2d

Since you mentioned comfort is your top priority, switching to a motorcycle makes sense, as it usually offers better ride comfort than a scooter. We would recommend you look at the 160cc segment, specifically options like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. These bikes have low seat heights, manageable kerb weights and will be much more comfortable than your Pleasure over road imperfections. Another upside will be that you will see a noticeable step up in terms of performance with just a small drop in fuel economy, provided you ride sensibly.If, instead, you want to go for a smaller 125cc machine, then look at proven options like the Honda Shine / CB125 Hornet, TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. These bikes will be extremely fuel-efficient and will give you the step-up in comfort over your Pleasure that you want. Since you are a shorter person, their lower kerb weights and friendly seat heights will also appeal to you.Take test rides of options from both segments based on your preferences and then make your decision.