KTM 390 Adventure

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 210

Kawasaki KLX230

Kawasaki KLX230 S

•1w

I own a Hunter 350 that has done 17,000km and will complete four years this December. I enjoyed the KTM 390 Adventure test ride and am also considering the Himalayan 450. Should I keep the Hunter and buy an ADV, or replace it with a Guerrilla 450?

•2d

Whether or not you want to keep your Hunter and supplement your garage or have only one bike to handle everything is a personal decision, and we'd advise you to evaluate your priorities and make that decision.What we can tell you is that the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure will be more fun than the RE Himalayan 450 with its explosive top-end rush and significantly lower weight. If you do choose to keep the Hunter, then going with a machine that's markedly different in character and from a different brand makes more sense, so you get to choose between two distinct flavours of motorcycling as and when you wish.

Hero MotoCorp Xpulse 200 4V

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

•1w

I have been riding Xpulse 2004V for the last 3 years for Adventure & Touring with my wife. I would be looking to acquire a step-up motorcycle by next year or so. I'm also very excited for the Bigger Xpulse 421 since the first spy shots that came 2-3 years ago. Should I be looking for existing options in the 400-500cc category or wait and consider the new Hero ADV?

•4d

Since you have mentioned that you will use your next bike for two-up touring with your better half, as you have done with your Xpulse 200, we'd recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. The Himalayan's seating and suspension comfort are the benchmark in its class, and with its powerful 452cc engine will definitely feel like a good step up from your Xpulse 200. Do bear in mind that the Himalayan is a much larger and heavier bike, and in that sense, you will need to make your peace with its sheer physical size if you do purchase it. If you want something similarly capable, yet lighter, then the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure models should be on your radar. The KTMs have even better performance and handling, and if you are a spirited rider, these will suit you better. Do bear in mind that the KTM Adventure models' seating and suspension comfort isn't as good as the Himalayan, although the difference isn't that big, and you can fix the seating issue in the aftermarket for not a lot of money. Engine refinement isn't a strong point of the KTM 390s, and you should expect more rattles and vibrations from them than the Himalayan.Since these are quite different to each other, take test rides of both before you make a decision. It's unclear when the Hero Xpulse 421 will launch, and even when it does, we'd recommend you don't immediately purchase an all-new product on a brand-new platform before the media and owners have had their say about it.

I am confused between the Triumph Scrambler 400X and the new KTM 390 Adventure for a mix of heavy daily Pune traffic and weekend highway trips. I am 5'8" tall and weigh 65 kg, and I am looking for the right balance between low-speed maneuverability in tight city traffic and comfortable ergonomics for long weekend rides. Given my height and usage, which of these two motorcycles would be the more practical and rewarding choice in the long run?

Between the 350cc versions of the Triumph Scrambler 400 X and the KTM 390 Adventure, we'd recommend you pick the Scrambler over the Adventure. It is the easier bike to use in tight city traffic and is also a good highway bike. The 350cc 390 Adventure has a noticeable amount of vibration at all touch points and below 7,000rpm feels quite mellow - especially if you've ridden the 398cc version prior to this. You could also choose the 398cc variants of the KTM bike and get more performance at a significantly higher price if that's what you prioritize. Do bear in mind that inside the city at slower speeds, the big windscreen on the 390 Adventure models really blocks a lot of cooling air coming toward you and if you spend a lot of time in this situation, then it will get uncomfortable. Take test rides of both bikes to see which one you find easier to live with before you go ahead with your purchase.

Triumph Scrambler 400 X

Which bike do I choose between the new 390 ADV, Duke 390 or Guerrilla 450? I am upgrading from Meteor 350 and want a comfortable ride with a little more performance.

Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450

Since you have said you want comfort, we'd recommend you rule out the KTM 390 Duke. The Duke can be usable on a day-to-day basis, but it is a stiffly sprung and sporty machine that's also rather cramped for taller folks and especially coming from the Meteor, could prove too uncomfortable.The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a good choice, which will balance performance and comfort, although there will be a short adjustment period for you before you completely gel with it. We'd recommend going for the Apex variant, which comes with grippier Vredestein rubber that is better than the standard variant's CEAT shoes.The KTM 390 Adventure is a great bike for long-distance travelling, and if that is going to be the main reason behind your purchase, then it makes sense. However, inside the city, it can feel a little too buzzy, and its fuel economy isn't great either. Do bear in mind that KTMs comes with stiff seats and you will either have to adapt to it or get it fixed in the aftermarket.Since you are already considering the 390 Adventure, it would make sense to also look at the Himalayan 450. This is the more rounded of the two machines in our experience, and its ride comfort is unparalleled at this price point. Its size and weight will take some getting used to, but if you are okay with it, then this is a machine definitely worth considering.Take test rides of all before you go ahead with your purchase, so you make an informed decision.

KTM 390 Duke

Hi Autocar. I recently bought an R3 and will mainly use it for solo rides. Now I need a touring motorcycle that is comfortable for a pillion as well. I am quite short, and I want a bike with performance similar to my R3. I generally do not prefer retro-style motorcycles. Performance and pillion comfort are important. My budget is around Rs 4 lakh. Kindly suggest.

An ADV is the logical recommendation usually for your query, and we'd normally recommend options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300. These bikes will fit your criteria quite nicely and offer you similar performance to your R3.However, since you have said you are on the shorter side and you want something more manageable for your stature, the only option you have realistically is the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400. The Dominar has a low 800mm seat height, and while it weighs as much or more than the aforementioned options, since it is a lower bike, you'll be able to manage it better. Do bear in mind that the Dominar is a much simpler, older and more affordable machine than the three ADVs mentioned above, and you will feel that. To assess whether or not the Dominar should be your next bike, take your preferred pillion along with you on a test ride of all the options listed above. Then, depending on what you feel, go ahead with the bike that suits you guys best.

I own a Hunter 350 Dapper White for over two years. Lately, the suspension has started to bother me, and I am considering upgrading to an adventure bike. Which model would you recommend within a budget of Rs. 7 lakh? If there is an upcoming motorcycle that is worth waiting for, I am also considering upgrading the suspension on my Hunter 350 in the meantime. I was particularly interested in the Honda NX500, but the latest version seems significantly more expensive. What would you suggest?

Since you're innately familiar with Royal Enfield ownership, upgrading to the Himalayan 450 seems like a safe bet. The Himalayan's suspension can iron out pretty much any road imperfection you encounter and its performance will be a big step up over the Hunter you own too. The only caveat with going for the Himalayan is that it is a tall and heavy bike, and these attributes will make their presence felt at slower speeds inside the city. If you want slightly higher performance levels on a lighter machine, then the KTM 390 Adventure models (whether you opt for 350cc or 399cc iterations is up to the budget you have) are worth considering. The KTM bikes have great handling, punchy top-end performance and come with features like adjustable suspension, traction control and a bidirectional quick shifter - depending on the variant. In your Rs. 7 lakh budget, you can also get the BMW F 450 GS, although depending on your city's taxation structure, you may need to stretch your budget a little if you are eyeing the top Trophy variant. The new entry-level GS is a competent machine and will be a step up in refinement from the single-cylinder machines mentioned above and it is also lighter than them. You will, however, need to be prepared for higher running and maintenance costs expected of a machine wearing the BMW badge. Take test rides of these machines to decide which one works best for you before you make your next purchase. If none of these options seem enticing, you could also retrofit the latest-gen Hunter's suspension to your older model which will bring some much needed relief in terms of ride quality. Do bear in mind that this swap will likely void your warranty and we'd recommend reaching out to your nearest dealership for more clarity on the same.

Royal Enfield Hunter 350

BMW Bikes F 450 GS

•4w

Which is better between the KTM 390 and the Himalayan 450? Or is it better to wait for Norton?

•4w

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.

I am looking for a 2-wheeler. My Budget is 4L, I will travel 80 to 100 kms a day. 20 kms in city + 30 kms in highway + 30 kms in industrial areas (Usually Damaged Roads) My priorities - Top-notch ride quality, free from body pain Suggest a few options. As of now, XPulse is closer to my requirements, but I need tuneless tyres since Industrial roads are more prone to puncture. Can I expect XPulse with tubeless tyres in the near future? Suggest other options to me as well

•4w

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.

Hi! I wanted to buy a new adventure motorcycle. I had booked the Honda NX500 in February 2026, anticipating that its price would come down based on the expected pricing of the BMW F450 GS. However, since Honda is now bringing the CBU instead of a CKD, its price has increased. I do not see much value in paying nearly the same amount in taxes (around 40% import duty and 40% GST) as the actual price of the bike. Besides that, a few twin-cylinder adventure bikes are expected to launch later this year. However, proper ownership reviews for those bikes will likely take at least six months after their on-road availability. So, for now, I am considering buying the KTM Adventure 390, which has now reduced its engine capacity to 350cc to reduce the tax burden to 18%. Once the newer twin-cylinder bikes arrive and their reviews become available, I can make a more informed decision about whether to switch. Do you think this is the right decision, should I consider something else, or should I still go ahead with the Honda NX500?

•5w

We'd suggest you take test rides of the 350cc KTM 390 Adventure and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 both to make sure you make an informed decision about your next adventure bike purchase. Both bikes have distinct strengths and are actually very different to ride. The KTM is lighter and more agile endowing it withbetter road manners. Its engine is nice to use if you enjoy riding spiritedly most of the time because it is fun to chase the redline and shift through the gears using the quickshifter. However, the KTMs are buzzy machines and the 390 Adventure's comfort isn't the benchmark today in the ADV category. On the other hand, the Royal Enfield bike is the more rounded and mature machine. It has superb ride comfort and gutsy performance but its weight and overall size aren't to everyone's liking - and its oddball design is quite polarizing too. However, the Himalayan is the better overall package in our opinion. A test ride will help you figure out which bike is better for your needs.