KTM bikes in India (25)

autocar.india

•1d

Since you seem like a leisurely weekend rider who wants to keep the machine for a longer duration and you lean towards off-road riding, we'd recommend you to pick between the 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400X and KTM 390 Enduro R. Of the two, the Triumph bike is the more sensible, practical and daily-use friendly machine while the KTM is the more fun and niche option. The Scrambler's 350cc engine has the better low and mid-range spread of torque but the Enduro's 398cc single is fun when you chase the redlines. While both have off-road capabilities (the Enduro way more so than the Scrambler), they are good fun to use on the road to ride to your favourite twisty bit of tarmac. Some points to bear in mind are that the KTM bike has a super tall 895mm perch and comes with tubed tyres. While there's not much you can do about the seat, you can fit 19/17-in alloy wheels from the Adventure to sort out tubeless tyres for yourself. Coming to the Triumph, since you have mentioned you are from SoBo, you don't have a service centre nearby as of answering this query - authorized service centres are located in Goregaon, Nerul and Thane. There's also a massive price delta between these two and if you aren't looking to spend more, the Triumph is the better option. The best way to decide between them would be to take a comprehensive test ride of both and see which one you like the most. While there is a big price delta between both, since you're using the bike as a leisurely tool and are going to keep it for a long time, make the stretch for the Enduro if you like it. The X-47 (even with its larger battery pack) won't give you a realistic riding range of much more than 220km on a single charge (and this will be in the least powerful Glide riding mode, so performance will be quite gentle). Electric bikes are still quite a nascent market, charging stations are also very rare to find in most places and this is why for your needs, going with a petrol-powered bike makes more sense. Also, kudos to you for keeping the RX alive and using it daily!

autocar.india

•1d

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.

autocar.india

•3d

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.

autocar.india

•4d

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.

autocar.india

•1w

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.

autocar.india

•2w

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.

autocar.india

•2w

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.

autocar.india

•3w

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.

autocar.india

•3w

Around that price point, you have two very different options. The first is the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, which will have similar attributes to your Dominar in being a laidback, road-biased machine. The highlight here is the twin-cylinder engine, and this is one of the biggest reasons to get one. The Interceptor is a proven product, and since you are coming from a Dominar, you should be able to handle its weight and size without too much of a problem.Another option you could look at is the KTM 390 Adventure S, the top model with the adjustable suspension and tubeless spoke wheels. This bike will have a comparable engine character to your Dominar, but brings in added capability in terms of long-distance riding and venturing off-road.These are two very different machines, and picking between the two will not be straightforward. Take a thorough test ride of both to make an informed decision.

autocar.india

•5w

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.