KTM bikes in India (25)

autocar.india

•1w

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.

autocar.india

•1w

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.

autocar.india

•1w

We'd recommend you choose between the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, if you have a budget that stretches in the ballpark of Rs 3 lakh. Both the Speed and Guerrilla are good upgrades but have very different riding experiences so a test ride is in order to see which one you gravitate towards. The Speed is lighter, nimbler and has the more polished, refined experience overall. Meanwhile, the Guerrilla is our ranks quite high in terms of bang for buck in the affordable performance game. Its torquey 452cc motor makes for effortless brisk riding and its chassis is well-suited to riding in a sporty fashion when the road turns squiggly. If you instead want a more cost-effective option, look at the KTM 250 Duke. The quarter-liter Duke is a bike that promises sublime handling, an engine that is reasonably punchy without sacrificing usability or fuel efficiency and a good amount of tech.

autocar.india

•3w

The answer we give you will vary based on whether or not you will retain the Hunter alongside a new RE 650 upon its purchase. If you were to keep the Hunter for daily use, the Continental GT 650 makes for a good step up, given your sporty leanings. We'd recommend opting for the colour with allloy wheels for added peace of mind that tubeless tyres bring when fixing a puncture. You could even wait for the upcoming Continental GT-R 750 which will offer an even bigger step up in terms of performance and features, although it will be priced higher than the 650. If, however, you plan to only keep one bike to do it all, the Continental will feel cramped, uncomfortable and committed for repeated daily city use. We'd recommend the Interceptor instead because its upright ergonomics will allow you to be comfy in the city and it still handles reasonably well when you venture out on the weekend. Do bear in mind that if you expect razor sharp handling akin to a smaller, lighter machine (like a KTM RC 390 or Aprilia RS 457) from these heavier, simpler and larger bikes, you will not find that here and while the RE 650s handle well, that's in the context of heavy, relaxed neo-retros.

autocar.india

•3w

In theory, with enough determination and some out-of-the-box thinking, you could take any two-wheeler on a long-distance tour. The Yamaha R15 is a sorted, proven supersport but as a tourer, it will leave you wanting in more than one area. On the other hand, the Hero Xtreme 250R packs in lovely handling with comfy ergos and absorptive suspension which will certainly help you cover longer distances in greater comfort. The Xtreme's larger engine is also punchier and will be less stressed at highway speeds than the R15's. However, as you pointed out, the Hero's reliability has been rather patchy and it seems to be a sporadic issue depending on the unit. If you can go to your nearest Hero dealer and get some assurances about the reliability of the Xtreme as well as a good roadside assistance package then perhaps you should consider it. However, if you aren't convinced look for similar options from KTM 200 Duke or 250 Duke or even the Yamaha MT-15 and XSR155 which will all be sporty, yet comfortable machines that are reliable and can be taken touring without a second thought.