KTM 390 Duke Standard

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Given your stature and the fact that you're coming from a Ronin, we'd recommend you choose between the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 you've shortlisted. While both bikes have similar peak power outputs and pricing, they're poles apart to ride, so make sure you get a test ride before you go ahead with your purchase. The 390 Duke has sublime handling, great features and its 349cc engine loves chasing the redline but in day-to-day usage it feels like the machine that needs to be worked harder. Its suspension is also quite stiff (not harsh but definitely not plush) and there are quite a few vibes from the engine at almost all touch points no matter the revs you're at. If you don't care about refinement or comfort too much, and want all-out sporting thrills at a reasonable budget, then the 350cc Duke is something you should consider. If instead, you want your next purchase to be a bit more rounded to balance both usability and performance, then the RE Guerrilla 450 should be on your radar. The Guerrilla's 452cc engine's torquey nature makes it far more effortless to ride both in the city and on the highway, and its chassis is set up well for brisk road riding. It also has a lower 780mm perch (compared to the KTM's 800mm one) and its suspension is also set up to deal with road imperfections better. Ofcourse, it lacks the outright speed, handling, as well as the finessed electronics of the KTM, but for some people, this will actually be a plus point. Like we said at the outset, these are two very different bikes, so before making your decision, ensure you take a thorough test ride.

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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.

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The Harley-Davidson X440 (we'd highly recommend stretching for the better looking & finished T, if you can) is a very likable machine and will offer you a big step up from your current 125cc machine. It is a relaxed roadster with a torquey single-cylinder engine and good comfort so if you want this sort of experience, it is one of the most capable options. Should you wish to opt for a sportier option, then you should look at the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and RE Guerrilla 450. The KTM is sharper and more frantic compared to the relatively tamer Guerrilla, but you could even prefer the RE for that very reason. Triumph's 350cc single-cylinder offerings are a good middle ground between the relaxed air-cooled roadsters and the sporty liquid-cooled nakeds. Of all the Triumphs, the Scrambler is the most versatile and comfortable and we'd recommend it also because if you want to start off-road riding, its a friendly machine. These are all starkly different bikes and a test ride of each will help you understand which one suits you best.

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Electric motorcycles do make sense for daily predictable city commutes with a fixed distance and secure charging. There's no hassle of changing gears and modulating the clutch, and your running costs are also pleasingly low. However, it seems like you want to venture out farther from your home in Pune, in which case a petrol motorcycle is the more enjoyable choice. The Harley-Davidson X440 is a wonderful machine because it is one of the last authentic, air-cooled, long-stroke, single-cylinder experiences available today, and since you are looking to buy a machine that you can build a cherished bond with over time, it has the right ingredients to make that happen. Stepping up from a 125cc machine, you will also appreciate the step up in performance and comfort it has to offer you. From the Triumph stable, we'd recommend you take a good, long look at the 350cc Scrambler 400 models because they are great city machines that can also prove to be good fun on the highway and when the road turns squiggly. If you want a properly sporty riding experience, then the 350cc KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 are good options to consider, and these will be - by far - the fastest and sharpest machines from the ones listed here.Make sure to take exhaustive test rides of all machines before you make your decision.

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The 350cc KTM 390 Duke finds a good middle ground between the 399cc 390 Duke R and the smaller 250 Duke in terms of outright power. Even though it has over 40hp, this engine is rather peaky which means you won't be accessing all of the peak output very often - helpful for a newer rider. In terms of features and electronics too, the 390 Duke is much better equipped compared to the 250 Duke. Overall, the 350cc Duke is a machine that you will be able to enjoy for a longer time as you progress as a rider.