Kawasaki Versys 650 variants

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The only real peer to the Norton Atlas available currently is the Kawasaki Versys 650, which comfortably blows past your Rs 7 lakh budget, limiting your choice to waiting for the Atlas. The new Norton ADV looks very impressive on paper, but we'd recommend you take the sensible and patient route and wait for some time after the bike is launched before purchasing it, so any teething issues that do arise can be ironed out by the time you are an owner.

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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.

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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.

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If you want a retro-looking motorcycle, look no further than the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650. With its old-school looks, smooth yet punchy engine, reasonable comfort and relatively affordable price tag, it is an option that warrants serious consideration. Since you already have a Honda, you can take a look at the NX500, which will be a good option with its refined twin-cylinder engine and comfortable long-distance capability. If you are open to the idea of a pre-owned machine, in your budget, you can get a Kawasaki Z650 / Ninja 650 / Versys 650. All three are good both in the city and out on the highway, but the Versys would be our pick because it will be the most adept at tackling Indian roads.

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In the 650cc segment, both Kawasaki and Triumph offer multiple options which cater to different use cases so before you start looking at a particular bike, its important to figure out which one suits you best. In the Kawasaki bike lineup you have the Z650, Z650RS, Ninja 650, Vulcan S and Versys 650. If you're mainly going to be riding in the city, any of them - except the Versys - will be a good tool for the job. Pick the one you like the styling and rider's position of the most. From Triumph bike lineup, you have the 660cc Trident, Daytona and Tiger Sport. Since you'll be using the bike mainly in the city, the Trident and Daytona make more sense and we’d advise choosing the one you prefer in terms of looks and seating position. The Daytona is a fair deal more powerful than the Trident so that's something to bear in mind. Another point to keep in mind that these imported motorcycles are generally more complicated and expensive to own and maintain.