KTM 390 Duke Standard

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. 

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. 

Since you mentioned you have long commutes, and you want something fairly engaging to ride, we'll recommend a mix of ADVs and comfortable roadsters. The new TVS Apache RTX 300 makes a strong case for itself as a single bike to do everything. It is definitely something that should be near or at the top of your list. 

You can even take a look at the KTM 390 Adventure models and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 - both are quick, comfortable and have great long-distance capability. 

If you want a more road-biased bike, then options you can look at are the Triumph Speed 400, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, TVS Apache RTR 310 and KTM 390 Duke. Depending on the balance between performance and looks you want to strike, they all have something unique to offer. 

Take a proper test ride of all bikes you shortlist before making a decision. 

A new bike will come with a warranty, and you will be the first one to break it in, so the peace of mind of buying a new machine is not to be discounted. 

If you are looking at older bikes that are 4-5 years old or more, then you will also need to budget for a comprehensive service and perhaps some replacement cycle parts like tyres and brakes. 

While the KTM 390 Duke is a great option, you could also look at the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 since you've already owned a bike from the same brand. 

Stepping up from 20hp to 130hp in a single shot doesn't seem like the safest upgrade. We would like to recommend that you upgrade to something more approachable, like the KTM 390 Duke seems like a more sensible option. If you still want a multi-cylinder bike, something like the Kawasaki 650 and the Honda 650, as well as the CB750 Hornet will be more manageable. 

Try and take a test ride of everything you're considering before you put your money down. 

Some options you can consider are the TVS Apache RTR 310, KTM 390 Duke, Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. The Triumph and Royal Enfield aren't as overly sporty as the other two and will have a more effortless riding experience owing to their torque delivery, which is earlier in the rev band. 

The KTM 390 Duke is a proven product when it comes to sheer speed, but in its latest avatar has become quite compact, which may not be the best thing if you are a larger person. 

Last but not least, the TVS Apache RTR 310 has great handling and reasonable performance. We would recommend getting the variant with the quickshifter on the TVS as that offers the best value for your money. 

Take a test ride of everything you're considering before you decide.