KTM bikes in India (13)
Trending Questions on KTM Bikes - Answered by Autocar Experts
Good day, Autocar team. I currently own three motorcycles: a KTM Duke 200 (2014), a KTM Adventure 390 (2022), and a Honda CBR650R (2025). I frequently go on long road trips, including some off-roading, for which the Adventure 390 has been my primary companion. The bike has now crossed 50,000 km, and with concerns around E20 fuel compatibility and KTM’s long-term reliability, I am considering replacing it with a new adventure motorcycle. Since the CBR650R is not suitable for rough roads, I seek your expert advice on whether I should invest in a new adventure bike within a budget of ₹6-8 lakh.
If you want an adventure bike that is E20 compliant, you will need to either purchase a new bike or search the pre-owned market for a lightly used model manufactured within the last 1 or 2 years.
If you are looking for a new bike, we would recommend paying the high initial purchase price of the twin-cylinder Honda NX500. It is a rather sorted machine in almost every regard and will feel like a nice step up from your single-cylinder KTM. And since you're familiar with the trouble-free Honda big bike ownership experience, the NX500 makes for a logical step up.
If you decide to go for something a little less pricey, then bikes like the latest KTM 390 Adventure models and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are also options worth looking at.
You also have the option of waiting for the new BMW F 450 GS, although its pricing will be similar to the Honda bike rather than the single-cylinder models mentioned above.
A test ride of everything you shortlist should help you make a decision.
Hi team, I'm 5′9″ and well built. I need a bike for my daily city commute of about 30 km, and I want it to be not above 350 cc. I am a sedate driver. Please suggest.
Since most of your usage is inside the city, bikes like the Hero Xpulse 210, Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic / Hunter 350, Honda CB350 trio and the TVS Ronin will make for good options to consider depending on your preference.
If you do want something a touch sportier but not very rambunctious, then the KTM 250 Duke also makes for a great companion.
A test ride of everything you decide to shortlist will help you make a decision.
Hi team, I’m planning on getting the BMW 450 GS when it is launched, but am worried about the maintenance cost. Can you share an estimate of how much I can expect to spend on maintenance over the years if I have a running of about 8,000 km a year? I’m an aggressive rider and mostly use it for weekday work commutes and occasional breakfast rides on weekends. Regards, Mohnish
There's no way to accurately portray how much the maintainance cost of the BMW F 450 GS will be, as it is yet to be launched. However, BMW bikes have a reputation for being a little pricey to live with, even the smaller 310s. You shouldn't expect the F 450 GS to be as easy on the wallet as its peers, like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure models or even the Honda NX500.
We recommend you wait a while before you buy the F 450 GS so that you can see thorough reviews of the bike. Also, you can speak to actual owners of the machine, and then make an informed decision.
I am 41 years old and started my motorcycle journey with a Pulsar, which I rode for 15 years before switching to a Dominar in 2019. Although the Dominar’s power was addictive, it was not as smooth as the Pulsar and had vibes and niggles. I sold it and bought a Meteor 350 in 2021. While I enjoyed the smoothness of the J-series engine, it now feels underpowered. My rides are mostly in the city but include long commutes of 60–70 km and occasional weekend rides. What should I be looking at?
Since you mentioned you have long commutes, and you want something fairly engaging to ride, we'll recommend a mix of ADVs and comfortable roadsters. The new TVS Apache RTX 300 makes a strong case for itself as a single bike to do everything. It is definitely something that should be near or at the top of your list.
You can even take a look at the KTM 390 Adventure models and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - both are quick, comfortable and have great long-distance capability.
If you want a more road-biased bike, then options you can look at are the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, TVS Apache RTR 310 and KTM 390 Duke. Depending on the balance between performance and looks you want to strike, they all have something unique to offer.
Take a proper test ride of all bikes you shortlist before making a decision.
What bike can I prefer at a ₹2 lakh price range? This will be my first bike, with daily usage of around 30-35 km and an occasional ride of about 200 km once a quarter.
Since this is your first bike, you should ask yourself what sort of rider you are and then pick the machine accordingly. If you feel you enjoy speed and want a sporty, engaging machine, then something like a KTM 160 / 200 Duke, Yamaha YZF R15 V4 / MT-15 and XSR155 will be good options to consider.
If you want to have a relaxed riding experience and want something stylish, then a Royal Enfield Hunter 350 or TVS Ronin would be a good starting point. Lastly, if you want a single 'standard' bike that can do most daily things, then something like a Honda CB300F would be a good option.
If you want something that prioritises fuel efficiency, a 160cc commuter from Honda, TVS, Bajaj, Hero or Yamaha would be the way to go.
Take thorough test rides of each machine you consider before making up your mind up.
I used to own a TVS Apache RTR 180 and want to upgrade to a higher capacity motorcycle. My budget is ₹2.5 Lakhs. I will mainly ride within the city, with very occasional long rides. I am 5'8" and looking for something that has good power( for city overtake) and mileage, as my daily commute is 50 km.
I am 40 years old and enjoy travelling. I prefer riding a two-wheeler over driving a car, but I suffer from back pain. Please suggest a bike with the following priorities: best seating comfort, ability to do long rides of 300-500 km, and a refined engine with minimal vibrations at cruising speeds.
I am choosing between the Aprilia RS 457 and the KTM RC 390. I prefer the Aprilia’s design, but at 6’2”, I am concerned it may feel compact. After-sales support also seems mixed. The RC 390 is around ₹1.6 lakh cheaper, offers similar performance, and has a proven service network. Is the Aprilia worth the premium? Also, with rumours of an RC 450 or 490, should I wait? My usage will be weekend rides, city fun, and occasional touring.
I own a 2022 TVS Raider as my first bike, and it has been a good learner motorcycle. I am now planning to upgrade and have shortlisted the TVS Apache RTR 310, Hero Xtreme 250R, and Yamaha XSR155. Please advise which is the best value-for-money option for long-term ownership with sportiness and minimal service issues.
I own and ride a KTM 390 Adventure 2023 and also a Royal Enfield Classic 500, but my work is around 22 kms one way and I am looking for a bike thats between the 2 bikes I already have, light weight like the KTM but easy to ride in the city traffic like the Classic 500 and with fuel efficiency around 50kms per litre at least. What would you suggest I go with, please guide.
Last Updated on: 29 Dec 2025