Harley Davidson Bikes Under 5 Lakh in India (2)

autocar.india

•3w

Both the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 X and Harley-Davidson X440 are very good candidates for your next purchase, but they are quite different machines underneath. The H-D X440 is a relaxed roadster with a smooth, characterful long-stroke single-cylinder engine which has a good dose of low and mid-range torque. Despite its weight, the X440 is a manageable and comfortable machine inside the city and is planted and stable on the highway. If you can, make the stretch to the X440 T because not only does it look better, its finish levels are also much higher. On the highway, cruising at 100-110kph, the X440 is relaxed and vibe-free, although this is not a sporty machine. In fact, the Scrambler 400 X will be much sportier in its overall handling despite having decent off-road capability. Its liquid-cooled engine is more powerful, but you will need to rev it to make quick progress. The Scrambler also has good seating and ride comfort, although its pillion seat is on the smaller side. Take a test ride of both since they are such different machines before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•4w

Since you already have a RE Classic 350 at home, we'd recommend you remove the Meteor 350 and Harley-Davidson X440 from your shortlist because these bikes will feel quite similar to your Classic. The 350cc Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 will offer a more engaging riding experience with more performance and features on tap, and are the ones we'd advise you to choose between. Of the two, the Triumph bike has the more mellow nature, but it will still feel like a good step up from your Classic in terms of performance and handling. The Guerrilla, on the other hand, is quite excitable and of the two, this is definitely the more fun machine. Its suspension is a little taut, which enables it to have very engaging handling, but over bad roads, you will feel a little more of the road surface coming through to your back. The RE also has a crisper, more tech-laden TFT display, whereas the Triumph uses a simple digi-analogue unit.Take a test ride of both before you make your decision, since they are quite different to ride.

autocar.india

•7w

Since you already have a relaxed bike in the garage with your X440, we'd recommend you look at something sporty - specifically, the KTM 390 Duke R and Aprilia Tuono 457. The 390 Duke R is a proven product, and if you want a thrilling machine with good cycle parts, it doesn't get much better than the 390 at this price point. Of course, you'll have to deal with some amount of vibrations and the fact that the Duke is quite a cramped machine for taller riders. The Tuono 457 offers a more polished riding experience thanks to its twin-cylinder engine, which is one of the biggest reasons to buy one. It is smooth at almost any rpms, makes a great sound and has plenty of punch almost everywhere. Its handling is also sublime, but it does come at the cost of a stiff ride over broken roads. There's also the fact that the Aprilia 457cc engine doesn't have a stellar reputation for reliability, and the company's sales and service network is quite small. Aprilia's service is also expensive and not always friction-free. The Duke is definitely the safer buy of the two, although if your nearest Aprilia dealer can give you some reassurances on the ownership front, the Tuono 457 is a machine that will keep you happy for a long time to come.

autocar.india

•11w

Since you travel long distances every day, comfort should be near the top of your wishlist and under Rs 4 lakh, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is the king of comfort. With your purchase, you can also bundle in the cross-spoke rims (priced at Rs 16,000, which is quite fair for what you're getting), which will give you the peace of mind of running tubeless tyres as well. The Himalayan's only major drawback is its large size and heavy weight, which can get bothersome for shorter riders.If you're looking for something more manageable, then bikes like the TVS Apache RTX 300 and 350cc KTM 390 Adventure are good options to consider. Both are comfortable, have gutsy performance and should return decent fuel economy too, while being easier to manage due to their low kerb weights. If you don't resonate with an adventure bike, then the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 models offer a good compromise with the plush suspension comfort you need, with more appealing style and less bulky bodywork.In case you decide you don't want to be at the upper limit of your budget, then neo-retro roadsters like the Harley-Davidson X440 T, 350cc Triumph Speed 400 / Speed T4 and Honda CB350 models are worth considering. These bikes have great comfort levels and will also return better fuel economy. Considering the very different nature of these bikes, take a test ride of all to be sure which one would be the right fit for you.

autocar.india

•3w

The Harley-Davidson X440T makes for a good commuting companion with its torquey yet smooth long-stroke single-cylinder engine, neutral ergonomics and plush suspension setup. Depending on the traffic on your route as well as the way you ride, fuel economy will vary, but you should expect a big drop from your Shine 125 in this regard.If you want a similiar riding experience but a machine that is more affordable and with better fuel economy, consider the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 and Honda CB350 models. These machines have similar attributes to the bigger X440 T, but with their smaller engines, they will be more fuel-efficient, although of course, you will have to sacrifice some peak output.Take test rides of these machines before you make your decision, depending on which one you prefer the most.