Royal Enfield Bullet 350

Autocar India

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Since your usage skews more towards slower city riding than faster highway trips, going with a Royal Enfield 350 would be our recommendation. However, the Meteor isn't at the top of that list. We've found the Hunter / Classic / Bullet to be more comfortable primarily because of their more upright and neutral riding triangles. With its laidback cruiser ergonomics and low seat, which puts more weight on your tailbone, the Meteor will feel a little stiffer than its aforementioned siblings over bad patches of road. The Himalayan will also make for a decent city machine and will be inherently more capable on the highway, but its large size and taller seat height might be deal breakers for you. If this is going to be your only bike to do everything, purely from a capability standpoint, the Himalayan makes more sense.Take a test ride of both to understand the pros and cons of each and see which one suits your use case better before you make a decision.

Autocar India

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Since you have said that you have a lower back issue and that you need a comfortable riding position, we'd recommend looking at bikes like the Royal Enfield Hunter / Classic / Bullet 350 instead. The Meteor is a comfortable cruiser, but by virtue of being a cruiser, its feet-forward, relaxed riding position will put more strain on your lower back while going over bad roads. In the Honda 350 lineup, all three machines are very similiar mechanically, and the main differences are in terms of styling, pricing and small feature additions and subtractions. So, we would recommend going with the one you are attracted to the most. A test ride of whatever you shortlist is imperative before you make a decision.

Autocar India

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Between the three bikes you've shortlisted, all three are comfortable for city use, but they all sit at very different price points, and it wouldn't be right to compare the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V with the Honda CB350RS and Triumph Speed 400. If you want a straightforward commuter, then sticking to a machine in the 150-160cc space like the aforementioned Apache, Bajaj Pulsar N160, and Honda Unicorn would make sense. These bikes will be lighter and easier to manage within the city (which is where you'll spend most of your life), as well as be fuel-efficient and comfortable. If instead you do want to look at something more premium, the Honda and Triumph you have shortlisted are also good options. You should also look at the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 in this segment. These bikes will be larger and more spacious than the 150/160cc options mentioned above, with better build quality, road presence and pillion comfort. However, they will demand a little more effort at slow speeds and will also not be as fuel-efficient as the commuters.

Autocar India

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The Suzuki V-Strom SX may be a dated machine, but it is a great option for someone who wants a relaxed, reliable and fuel-efficient touring machine. If you are open to considering other form factors aside from the adventure bike style, there are some other machines that will fit the bill for your usage as well. In the neo-retro space, the TVS Ronin, Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350 will be good options to consider with their relaxed riding triangles, smooth and torquey engines, as well as plush suspension setups. These bikes won't be as fuel-efficient as the V-Strom, but the drop isn't going to be too drastic either. Take a test ride of these bikes before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•5w

The neo-retro segment has different options today to suit varied tastes and requirements. On the traditional end of the spectrum, you have options like the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 and Honda CB350 models. They are laid-back and comfortable machines which are conducive to relaxed riding. On the other hand, if you want something that looks retro but goes like a thoroughly modern machine, the Triumph Speed 400 and Speed T4 come into the picture. The Speed 400 has better componentry, a higher performance ceiling and also costs more. The T4 is a simpler machine, but it still has decent pep in its step, and its engine suits the neo-retro theme more. A test ride of these bikes should help you decide which is the best fit for you.

Autocar India

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The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 and the TVS Apache RTX 300 are two very different motorcycles. The Meteor is a relaxed cruiser, while the RTX is an adventure bike, a sporty streetfighter.Objectively speaking, the RTX will be more comfortable and capable in just about every situation you'll find yourself in. However, it is quite a tall machine, so if you are a shorter rider, this could be something to look out for, especially at slower speeds in city traffic. Instead of the Meteor, we'd actually recommend considering the Classic / Bullet 350 because they have a more comfortable and upright seating position, which will be more conducive to comfort over your long daily commute. A test ride of these bikes will help you figure out which one is best for your needs.

Autocar India

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Of the three bikes you've shortlisted, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X will be the best all-rounder and will also be very easy to ride inside city traffic with its tractable engine and short gearing. While the RTX 300 has slightly better suspension travel and composure, it is still a new product, and it would be advisable to wait some months before buying an all-new machine like this, so if there are any teething issues, they can be ironed out. If you are open to having a retro riding experience, then the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic 350 are worth looking at. These are very comfortable machines, although their performance won't be anywhere close to as sprightly as the other bikes you're looking at. On the plus side, the Bullet/Classic are much more affordable to purchase. We'd recommend a test ride of the RE 350s before you make a decision.

Autocar India

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Since you haven't specified what style of bike you want, nor given some details about your physique, recommending something concrete will not be possible. However, we'll give you a variety of options to choose from, spanning multiple classes. In the neo-retro space, you can look at bikes like the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet / Hunter 350, TVS Ronin, Triumph Speed T4 and Honda CB350 models. These will have a relaxed riding experience and a plush, comfortable ride quality. The Speed T4 will be the quickest and most responsive of them all, but still very manageable for daily use.If you want something sportier, the KTM 250 Duke makes for a compelling option for your one-bike garage. If you're leaning towards the more adventurous side of things, then the Hero Xpulse 210 and the TVS Apache RTX 300 are the way to go. It would be advisable to take test rides of all of these bikes to see what style you prefer and which bike you are most comfortable with.

Autocar India

•7w

While the Royal Enfield Meteor 350 that you have shortlisted is a good place to start, we'd actually recommend its retro siblings, the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350. That's because the Meteor's more feet-forward and relaxed - lazier, if you will - riding position will put some stress on your tailbone after a while and more of the road bumps will filter through to your back. Instead, the Bullet and Classic with their neutral, upright ergonomics and spacious seats will be a better fit.In the Honda stable, we'd recommend you choose between the base CB350 and the CB350 H'ness because the CB350RS's seat isn't as spacious as its siblings.A test ride of these bikes with your preferred pillion will help you make an informed decision.

Autocar India

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The Battalion Black is the base variant in the Royal Enfield Bullet 350 lineup and has a simpler finish for certain components and only single-channel ABS owing to its rear drum brake. However, its riding experience should largely be the same as the other variants, and in that sense, it would make for a relaxed, characterful and comfortable motorcycle. In many ways, the Honda CB350RS will feel similiar to ride because of its air-cooled engine and plush suspension. But it has a sportier, more engaging seating position and feels a lot lighter on its feet. It also comes with modern conveniences such as tubeless tyres, a slip/assist clutch and all-LED lighting. The CB350RS is also over Rs 30,000 more expensive than the Bullet 350 Battalion Black, so price will play a key role in your purchase decision. Picking between the two will boil down to which bike you gel with better. Also, whether you think the Honda deserves the extra money it commands over the Royal Enfield.