Honda NX500 E-Clutch

autocar.india

•50w

The Honda NX500 is a superb machine in nearly all respects when considering it through the lens of a prospective ADV rider - except for its steep price tag, especially after the recent GST 2.0 reform. Nevertheless, this is a machine that is likely to last you a long time without any significant hassles and will also hold its value well should you decide to sell it someday in the future.Coming to the Royal Enfield Himalayan 750, there are absolutely no concrete details available about the bike currently, so commenting on its reliability or after-sales service isn't possible.Even if you do decide to pull the trigger as soon as the big Himalayan is launched, we would strongly advise you to wait for a minimum of 6 months so that if there are any teething issues, they are solved by the time you put your own money down.

autocar.india

•1w

Considering that the KTM 390 Adventure is a bike that (at most) costs Rs 4 lakh, while the Honda NX500 E-Clutch is nearly Rs 7.50 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi prices for both), there's little to be compared between the two on these terms. The KTM is surely the more sporty, the more off-road ready and the more feature-laden bike of the two, but at the same time its polarising looks, buzzy and gruff engine and mediocre suspension (on the 350cc and 398cc X variant) are some areas where it should do better. Since you bought a first-gen 390 Duke and you didn't gel with it, perhaps that could very well ring true for the 390 Adventure as well. The NX500, on the other hand, is a calm, smooth and composed machine but isn't what you'd call exciting. It is definitely more road-biased and is best thought of as a tourer that can handle bad roads than an out-and-out off-roader. We'd recommend you take a look at the BMW F 450 GS too, if you're shopping in this category as it brings a different flavour to the table.

autocar.india

•2w

The BMW F 450 GS is the only twin-cylinder adventure motorcycle that fits in your budget, while the Honda NX500 E-Clutch is another option you can check out. That said, both these motorcycles are not a significant upgrade over your Himalayan 450 in terms of performance and the on-road price of the NX500 E-Clutch stretches over your Rs 8 lakh budget. We suggest you wait until the new Royal Enfield Himalayan 750 and the Norton Atlas GT will be available in the Indian market. Take a test ride of both these motorcycles and pick which one suits you best.

autocar.india

•19w

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

•19w

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.