Honda NX500 E-Clutch

autocar.india

•3w

Sadly, in India, if you're looking for a decently priced sub-500cc, twin-cylinder adventure bike, then you'll have to extend your wait as there's nothing currently or on the horizon either. The BMW F 450 GS is, all things said and done, the somewhat palatable option because the Honda NX500 - as accomplished a bike as it is - simply cannot justify its steep Rs 7.44 lakh ex-showroom asking price, even with its super convenient and non-intrusive E-Clutch technology. We'd advise you to also take a look at the mid-spec Exclusive variant of the 450 GS because that has pretty much every option that you'd need and want ticked without the centrifugal clutch seen on the top Trophy model. Its also a good chunk more affordable to buy. If you're okay with making your peace with the alloy wheels, then you also save the moolah that BMW wants you to shell out for the pretty - but pricey - cross-spoke wheels. Unless you're a hardcore off-road rider, these spoked wheels bring no functional improvement and sticking with the alloys is the sensible bet. You could also purchase them a little later on, if your heart is really set on them. Coming to the Aprilia Tuareg 457, there’s no clear India launch or even global reveal timeline yet.

autocar.india

•3w

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is one of the most sorted single-cylinder adventure bikes on sale, and aside from its portly kerb weight and large size, there are few drawbacks with this machine. It has excellent seating and ride comfort, a grunty engine, a plethora of official accessories, and RE's service network is one of the widest in the country. If you can make your peace with its size, the Himalayan is a hard machine to fault realistically, for most use cases.Today, KTM India will sell you a 390 Adventure with both 349cc and 399cc engines, and the price difference between the most affordable and most expensive model is over Rs 1 lakh. The 350cc 390 Adventure is a capable long-distance machine, and you won't miss the drop in outright peak power too much, especially if this is your first 300cc+ machine. The 399cc models are, of course, packing in better performance, and the higher variants even come with more adjustable and longer travel suspension. Owing to its lighter weight, the KTM is more lively than the RE in the twisties and is also easier to manage at slower speeds inside the city. Do bear in mind that no matter which version of the 390 Adventure you choose, you'll have to make your peace with some amount of vibration because these aren't the most refined bikes in today's market. Coming to the Norton Atlas adventure models, with their 585cc, twin-cylinder motors. These bikes are sure to be in a different segment when compared to the single-cylinder 350-400cc machines listed above. No realistic comparison between them would be a fair or straightforward one, and it's better to cross-shop the Atlas with the Honda NX500, Kawasaki Versys 650 and BMW F 450 GS - if at all. We're yet to ride and evaluate the Norton Atlas models, and even if they launch this year, it would be a wise move to wait at least 6 months - if not more - before investing in a brand-new platform from a new brand which has yet to establish a comprehensive presence in the Indian market.

autocar.india

•6w

Since your priority is road riding and you like to cover more than 1,000 km in a day on your travels, we'd recommend you look at machines like the Honda NX500 and Kawasaki Versys 650. Both offer very good seating comfort, wind protection and smooth twin-cylinder engines that can comfortably sustain triple-digit cruising speeds without intrusive vibrations. While they may look like adventure bikes, both are much more road-focused in the way they ride and behave. They can handle bad roads if needed, but they are not hardcore off-road machines.If you want something that's a little more road-focused and sporty, then the Kawasaki Ninja 650 is also a good option. It has a smooth engine and is very capable at highway cruising speeds, though it will not be as comfortable over very long distances as the NX500 or Versys 650. You will also need to be mindful of the low ground clearance and the expensive alloy wheels over bad roads.Depending on the sort of bike you prefer, make your decision, and before doing so, take a test ride of all three to figure out which one is right for you.

autocar.india

•18w

The Honda NX500 is a machine that will serve you very well in the long run, especially if you are mainly going to go on long journeys with it. Honda big bikes have a great reputation for being light on the wallet and are also largely bulletproof and reliable. This is why, even though the NX500's price is very steep, if you are going to use the bike for a long time, then it could make sense for you.Coming to the TVS-built BMW F 450 models, we are still waiting for them to be launches so commenting on service costs and longevity will not be possible.

autocar.india

•19w

Of the three options you've shortlisted, the Honda NX500 would be our recommendation. It has a smooth, twin-cylinder engine, is fairly light and manageable, and will likely have the most hassle-free ownership experience of all three bikes you've shortlisted.It is quite a pricey machine, but Honda spares and service are usually on the more affordable end of the spectrum. Do bear in mind that the rear suspension can feel a little basic in its operation, and a test ride will help you decide if the NX500 is suitable for your needs or not.

autocar.india

•21w

Since you haven't specified your budget or displacement cap, recommending something accurately won't be possible. So we will give you a bunch of options across different displacement and price brackets. The type of machine that will best meet all your criteria is an adventure bike. At the lower end of the spectrum, you can take a look at the TVS Apache RTX 300, which has all the features you want and then some in its top-spec BTO guise. One step above that would be bikes like the KTM 390 Adventure models and the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, which are excellent all-rounders at pretty decent price points. If you can stretch for it - and since this is your final bike purchase, we would strongly recommend you do - the Honda NX500 makes a serious case for itself. With its twin-cylinder engine, it will have the obvious refinement advantage over the other bikes mentioned here. It is also a machine that has cemented its reputation for reliability and low ownership costs over time. Also, it checks the feature and riding experience boxes that you are looking for. That being said, it would be advisable to take a test ride of each bike and see which one suits you best before making a decision.

autocar.india

•21w

The latest-gen KTM 390 Adventure is a feature-rich and capable machine in the ADV bike space and makes for a good purchase. KTM India is unaffected by whatever financial troubles its parent company was going through some time ago. Bajaj has already made a significant investment in the Austrian brand to ensure it continues on and gets back to full strength in all regards soon. Other options to consider in this class are the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and the Honda NX500. Do bear in mind that the Honda is significantly more expensive than the two single-cylinder machines mentioned above But also brings twin-cylinder smoothness, Japanese reliability and low running costs to the table. A test ride of these three will help you make an informed decision regarding your purchase. TVS hasn't disclosed any plans to enter the 400-500cc space anytime soon with an ADV. Although the 585cc Norton Atlas - made entirely in Hosur - will be launching in India this year.

autocar.india

•24w

The Honda NX500 is a great middleweight ADV with a refined engine, good ride and handling and being a Japanese bike, it will last you a long time while being relatively easy to maintain too. Its asking price is quite steep, but for some, its reliability and low ownership costs are worth that tradeoff.Coming to whether you should buy a more exciting big bike, that is a question only you can answer for yourself. Big bikes are exciting, capable and striking things to own, but also have high maintenance costs, lower fuel economy and any replacement parts you might need are usually pricey and not readily available.If that sounds like something you can live with, then you can save up and buy a bigger adventure bike like the Honda XL750 Transalp, Triumph Tiger 900, Suzuki V-Strom 800DE or Ducati Multistrada V2.

autocar.india

•18w

Since you mentioned you want a bike that can reach triple-digit speeds without feeling too strained, the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 is a good option to consider. It is a proven, reliable package that is decently comfortable, easy to maintain, and has pleasing retro looks. Do bear in mind that at 218kg, it is much heavier than your current Speed 400. If you can stretch for it, another option to consider is the Honda NX500. With its liquid-cooled, twin-cylinder engine, the NX will be a calm but capable companion on the highway. For a similiar riding experience, you can even consider the Kawasaki Versys 650, which will be the most powerful bike among our recommendations. Do bear in mind that its price will nudge or surpass the Rs 10 lakh mark on-road, depending on where you reside.If you prefer the look and riding experience of a sportbike, the Kawasaki Ninja 500 is a great option - although it is very pricey - that will also handle triple-digit speeds with relative ease. A test ride should help you decide which bike is best for you.

autocar.india

•24w

The Honda NX500 is a smooth, proven, and reliable package as an ADV tourer, and is something you can't go wrong with. Its few drawbacks are its steep price tag and a shock that rebounds a little too quickly for comfort. Since it's a Honda bike, it's likely to last a long time without major issues and also be fairly easy on the wallet to maintain. Since we have not ridden the BMW F 450 GS, we can't comment on its strengths or weaknesses. We recommend you wait until the media as well as owners' reviews of this bike are out before making a purchase.