KTM 390 Duke

Autocar India

•3h

Since you've said your primary use case is in the city, the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 is the one that will appeal the most to your sensible side. It has a tractable engine, good suspension and seating comfort and will also return decent fuel economy when ridden sensibly. If maximum thrills are what you're after, the 350cc KTM 390 Duke still remains a potent option, although the Duke is a smaller, more cramped and more buzzy machine. If you're willing to live with this, then you'll have an engaging and entertaining machine which also has superb handling and lots of features. Splitting the difference between these two is the 452cc Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, which is more KTM in terms of its riding character, combining sporty handling and punchy performance. Do bear in mind that its fuel economy is likely to be the lowest of these three. We'd recommend the Apex variant of the Guerrilla for strictly road usage because it comes with grippier Vredestein tyres.

Autocar India

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Depending on your riding style, there are multiple different options to choose from in the segment you're looking at. If you're looking for a quick and sporty machine, then the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 make good sense because they have energetic performance as well as good comfort (the KTM bike will be a little less comfy than the Triumph bike in this one regard, but will have more performance). On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you prefer to ride in an unhurried fashion, then look no further than the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350, Honda CB350 models and Triumph Speed T4. These bikes have great comfort and should also be reliable in the long run.If you want something that prioritizes comfort and utility over all else, then an adventure bike is the way to go. You have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and KTM 390 Adventure models (with both 350cc and 399cc motors, depending on your needs and budgetary restrictions) in this class. In our opinion, as an all-rounder, nothing can match the versatility of the Himalayan and if you're comfortable with its size, this is definitely an option worth considering. As always, first decide what form factor appeals to you the most and will suit your usage best and then accordingly take test rides based on that before making your decision.

Autocar India

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Since you're upgrading from a Ronin, we'd recommend you take a look at the Harley-Davidson X440. It has a similiar riding position, a smooth, torquey engine, and neo-retro looks as well. The 440cc motor is a refined unit and can easily cruise between 100-120kph without breaking a sweat. If you want something a little sportier, then machines like the KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and TVS Apache RTR 310 are worth considering. These bikes have the performance to cruise at 120kph and more, but neither is particularly refined. A test ride of these is imperative so you can make an informed decision.

Autocar India

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We would recommend you go ahead with the KTM 250 Duke purchase as your first bike. It will be an easier and friendlier machine to learn on. The upcoming 350 Duke will likely be similar in terms of its throttle response and power output to the 390 Duke, which will make it a much faster machine and thus less suited to a beginner.

Autocar India

•10w

Since you are looking for a bike that is good for daily commuting as well as long rides, and are presently a Pulsar owner, a good upgrade option would be the Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z. The NS400Z is a sporty machine that isn't too aggressive and will also be usable on a day-to-day basis, while entertaining you on longer journeys. It also has an excellent price tag, which means you will come in well under your budget. If you want to look elsewhere, options like the KTM 250 / 390 Duke, TVS Apache RTR 310 and Triumph Speed 400 are what we would recommend. The Speed 400 will be the best option inside city limits, but at high speeds, its engine feels a little strained. The Apache and Duke models are good all-rounders with genuine sporting intent and come with a host of techy and feel-good features. Take a test ride of the bikes mentioned above to make an informed decision about your next purchase.

Autocar India

•11w

Since you've said that this bike will be used mainly for touring and occasionally in the city, the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 makes more sense over the Triumph Scrambler 400 X. That's because the Scrambler's shorter gearing will result in the engine feeling like its running out of breath past 100kph and also because the Himalayan is a more spacious machine that was purpose-built to cover long distances. Royal Enfield's service experience varies from city to city and, in fact, even person to person. So we would advise you to pay a visit to your nearest authorised dealer and service centre to get a clearer picture.You should also take a look at the KTM 390 Adventure X because it has good road manners and will be the quickest bike of these three. It also comes standard with cruise control, which will be a boon for you on long days in the saddle. In fact, if you don't want tall motorcycles, the KTM 390 Duke will make for a good touring partner, and you'll have way more fun on twisty roads, although you will sacrifice some comfort compared to the ADVs.A test ride should help you make a decision.

Autocar India

•12w

You should consider bikes like the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and KTM 390 Duke for your mixed city / highway usage. The Speed 400 will be the best bike inside the city, but on the highway, post 90kph, it starts to feel strained, and vibrations start to creep in at some touch points.The KTM 390 Duke will be the least city-friendly bike - but still not bad at all in isolation - but with its powerful engine and great chassis, as well as standard-fit cruise control, it will be the most sorted on the highway. Do bear in mind that if you are a larger rider, the KTM will feel the most cramped of these three. The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a jack of all trades sort of bike, and its character is closer to the energetic Duke than the laidback Speed.A test ride of these three before you nail down your final purchase would be our advice.

Autocar India

•15w

In the price range you're looking at, there are a variety of options in different body styles, so we'll list them out for you. If you want a sporty road bike, then options like the KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and Triumph Speed 400 are the way to go. Do bear in mind that the KTM can feel quite cramped for taller riders and, over longer stints in the saddle, this will become even more pronounced. If you are leaning toward an adventure bike, you should be looking at the TVS Apache RTX 300, Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure models. The RTX will feel the slowest because of its smaller displacement, and it also weighs 180kg. Since you have a long commute from time to time and are a taller person, we would recommend you steer clear of sportbikes and cruisers. Also, stick to roadsters or adventure bikes, as they will be more comfortable. A test ride of the above mentioned options - and anything else you may shortlist - will help you decide which bike is right for you.

Autocar India

•16w

The Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 is a reskinned KTM 390 Duke with both bikes sharing the same engine, chassis and feature-set. As such, the Svartpilen will offer you considerably more performance than the CB350RS, and it will also have the stiffer suspension setup - it's not harsh, but definitely feels more taut than the Honda.On the other hand, the Honda CB350RS is more laidback in terms of its seating position and torquey, air-cooled engine and will have a much lower performance ceiling than the Husqvarna. Its suspension is quite well-judged and will likely be more pliant than the Svartpilen, too.You should take a test ride of both bikes to see which one suits you better, as both bikes have very different personalities and price points.

Autocar India

•17w

In this category, bikes like the Royal Enfield Hunter/Bullet/Classic 350, Triumph Speed 400, Harley Davidson X440 and the Honda CB350 models are worth considering. The Honda and RE 350s will have a relaxed, laidback riding experience while the Triumph 400 will feel noticeably more eager - although its not going to be overenthusiastic like a KTM 390. Do take test rides of your shortlisted options to see which one suits you best.