Triumph Speed 400

Within your budget, you should look at bikes like the TVS Ronin, Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Honda CB350 and Triumph Speed 400. Of these four, the Speed 400 will be the fastest, but it also offers a good level of comfort and usability for daily use. Its tractable engine, short gearing and light clutch will make it a good city companion. 

The other three bikes are more relaxed in their nature but will still offer a tangible step up from your old Hornet 160, especially in the comfort they offer you. 

Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one suits your riding style best before making 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. 

If you want something with a bit of sporting intent in the way it rides, the Triumph Speed 400 makes for a good purchase. It is a relaxed city commuter with good suspension, a smooth and grunty engine, as well as an agile demeanour. If you want a more mellow riding experience but want a Triumph, the Speed T4 makes a good case for itself. 

If you want bikes with a more old-school riding experience, then the Honda CB350 models and the Royal Enfield Bullet / Classic / Hunter 350 models deserve your attention. 

All bikes here have been out for multiple years now and have largely proven themselves to be reliable machines. 

A test ride of these bikes will help you decide which one suits you the best. 

The Honda CB350 models you are looking at are comfortable, reliable and decently fuel-efficient bikes which will last you a long time without any major troubles, by and large. Pick the one you like the look of the most or the one that's the most affordable, depending on your preference, because all three are largely mechanically very similar. 

The Triumph Speed 400 is also a great bike, but it has a much higher performance ceiling and will feel like a step up in terms of performance and handling. If that is the sort of experience you are after, it makes sense to go with the Triumph.

A test ride of both will help you figure out which is better for you. 

The Triumph Speed 400 is a largely reliable machine with few sporadic cases of big failures reported in the 2.5 years. It has been on sale, so by and large, you won't need to visit the service centre very often. Additionally, its long 16,000km / 1 year service interval means that unless you ride a lot, you only need to service it once a year - after the first service, at least. 

However, if something should go wrong, not having an authorised service centre nearby will be troublesome. You should speak to the dealership if a mechanic will be willing to visit your residence to service it. Otherwise, you have to transport it to the authorised workshop every time something like this occurs. 

Ideally, we would recommend buying a machine that has a dealership and service presence in your hometown and close to your residence or office.