Honda bikes in India (29)

Since your daily running is quite low, you should look at a petrol scooter - preferably brand new, for the peace of mind and the manufacturer's warranty it will come with. We'd recommend looking at the base variants of the Honda Activa 110, Suzuki Acess and TVS Jupiter 110. All scooters will be friendly for a newer rider because of their low kerb weights and approachable seat heights. 

If, however, your budget doesn't permit you to go for a new scooter, then a pre-owned Activa or Access would be our recommendation. The Activa and Access are some of the most popular scooters available, and finding a good example will be fairly straightforward. 

Because of their popularity and widespread service network, sourcing replacement parts should also be quite easy. 

Between the three bikes you've shortlisted, all three are comfortable for city use, but they all sit at very different price points, and it wouldn't be right to compare the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with the Honda CB350RS and Triumph Speed 400. If you want a straightforward commuter, then sticking to a machine in the 150-160cc space like the aforementioned Apache, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda Unicorn would make sense. 

These bikes will be lighter and easier to manage within the city (which is where you'll spend most of your life), as well as be fuel-efficient and comfortable. 

If instead you do want to look at something more premium, the Honda and Triumph you have shortlisted are also good options. You should also look at the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 in this segment. These bikes will be larger and more spacious than the 150/160cc options mentioned above, with better build quality, road presence and pillion comfort. 

However, they will demand a little more effort at slow speeds and will also not be as fuel-efficient as the commuters. 

In the family scooter space, the TVS Jupiter, Suzuki Access and Honda Activa models are options that are hard to go wrong with. All are proven models with great service coverage and a reputation for being reliable, fuel-efficient and easy to maintain. While it is true that scootersare more prone to skidding than motorcycles due to their smaller wheels. It also varies from rider to rider and also upon the road conditions. If you are worried about this specific problem, Suzuki now sells the Access with ABS on its top two variants, which should address that qualm. 

However, if you prefer the stability and comfort of a motorcycle but want to downsize to something more approachable and urban area-friendly than your 350cc Royal Enfield. We'd recommend you look at the lineup of 125cc commuters from TVS, Hero and Honda before making your decision. 

The Suzuki V-Strom SX may be a dated machine, but it is a great option for someone who wants a relaxed, reliable and fuel-efficient touring machine. 

If you are open to considering other form factors aside from the adventure bike style, there are some other machines that will fit the bill for your usage as well. In the neo-retro space, the TVS Ronin, Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 will be good options to consider with their relaxed riding triangles, smooth and torquey engines, as well as plush suspension setups. 

These bikes won't be as fuel-efficient as the V-Strom, but the drop isn't going to be too drastic either. 

Take a test ride of these bikes before you make a decision. 

The neo-retro segment has different options today to suit varied tastes and requirements. On the traditional end of the spectrum, you have options like the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 and Honda CB350 models. They are laid-back and comfortable machines which are conducive to relaxed riding. 

On the other hand, if you want something that looks retro but goes like a thoroughly modern machine, the Triumph Speed 400 and Speed T4 come into the picture. The Speed 400 has better componentry, a higher performance ceiling and also costs more. The T4 is a simpler machine, but it still has decent pep in its step, and its engine suits the neo-retro theme more. 

A test ride of these bikes should help you decide which is the best fit for you. 

The Honda CB350RS has a retro-feeling, air-cooled engine with a lower performance ceiling than the Yezdi. It does, however, have an engaging riding position and will also have better ride quality. You also need to bear in mind that the Honda is a better finished product. It has a great reputation for being reliable and easy to service in the long run - fronts that Yezdi (and Classic Legends, as a whole) still have some work to do. 

The latest-gen Yezdi Roadster is an improvement over its predecessor, but in some areas it still lacks behind the competition. 

Since you have mentioned you want a comfortable, long-lasting bike in a place where showrooms and service support aren't likely to be as advanced as in major cities, we'd recommend you go with the proven Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has remained largely unchanged in the more than two decades it has been on sale, and procuring spare parts and common replacement parts should be an easy affair. 

The Unicorn also has a spacious single-piece seat that's not very tall and can easily accommodate two large people. So comfort should also be a non-issue. 

We'd recommend a test ride of the bike to see whether it fits you well before making a decision. 

Between the two bikes you are choosing from, the Triumph Tiger 900 would be our recommendation. Between the GT and Rally Pro, we would recommend sticking with the former if you don't plan to go off-road very often. The Tiger has better seat and suspension comfort, and coming from your smaller Tiger Sport 660, you'll be familiar with the Triumph ownership experience too. 

However, if you don't want to spend as much money, then the smart way to do this would be to get a Honda XL750 Transalp and upgrade the wheels and suspension with the huge chunk you'll save. Even then, you'll come in well under what you'd spend on a brand-new Tiger 900. The Transalp is realistically just as quick and capable, while being a more manageable bike to ride and own too. 

We'd recommend visiting a Honda BigWing dealer as well as speaking to your nearest authorised Triumph dealership to find out more details before you pull the trigger. 

Based on your needs, we'd recommend taking a look at the Honda Unicorn, Bajaj Pulsar N160 single-seat variants and TVS Apache RTR 160 4V. All bikes are well-finished, comfortable and smooth, so you should choose the one you find easiest to manage. 

The service experience is also an area where you should pay extra attention to. Therefore, in that regard, most people have reported Honda's service to be quicker and friction-free compared to Bajaj and TVS. 

We'd recommend a test ride of all three. Also, discuss the service intervals and cost to ascertain which would be the best fit for you.