TVS Ronin Base Lightning Black

Within your budget, you have three very different options you can look at - Yamaha XSR155, TVS Apache RTR 200 4V, TVS Ronin and Hero Xpulse 200 4V. The XSR is the least powerful but is also the lightest motorcycle here. It will also feel the sportiest to ride because its engine and underpinnings are derived from the popular Yamaha R15 and MT-15. The downsides of the XSR are that it is a rather petite motorcycle. For someone of large stature such as yourself, this will be a potential challenge, and its rear suspension is quite stiff. It can get uncomfortable over repeated bad patches. 

The Apache RTR 200 4V is another sporty roadster, and with its larger engine than the XSR, it will feel more at home at sustained higher speeds. Its suspension comfort and more spacious seats will also be helpful for your usage. 

The TVS Ronin is a relaxed roadster with its smooth and torquey engine and relaxed and neutral ergonomics. Also, plush suspension setup and relatively larger size - compared to the other two bikes here - the Ronin has the potential to be the most suited to your use case.

Moving on to the Hero Xpulse 200 4V, this is the bike you should buy if you want to venture off-road on your long tours. It will have by far the most plush suspension of all the bikes here, although its on-road handling will leave you wanting once you pick up the pace. 

We'd recommend a test ride of all three before you make a decision. Also, do note that all four bikes are all slightly above Rs 1.50 lakh (your stipulated budget), within that amount, there's no credible option for your requirements. 

Since you've said that most of your riding is relegated to city riding with a pillion, where comfort and fuel efficiency are top priorities, we'd recommend you stick to a premium 125cc commuter. The TVS Raider is a good option as it offers a comfortable ride and a spacious seat for the rider and pillion. 

In that category, our top picks are the TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. Both are available with variants that have a long, single-piece seat, so pillion comfort as well as fuel efficiency will be taken care of. 

In case you do want to scratch the itch of getting a larger machine, you will be well served by the TVS Ronin as well as the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. Both have smooth, torquey engines, plush suspension and are large enough to carry a pillion. 

Take a test ride of these bikes and see which one you prefer the most before purchasing. 

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. 

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. 

The Honda SP160 is based on the same platform as the popular Unicorn and should have similiar strengths like good comfort, exceptional fuel efficiency, as well as durability and reliability in the long run. 

The TVS Apache RTR 160 4V is one of the best options in the sporty commuter bike segment and will offer you good performance and features without sacrificing comfort and practicality. Do bear in mind that if you are a tall person, then this bike will feel a little cramped, especially with its tight seat-to-footpeg distance.

Coming to the TVS Ronin, this bike will offer you more performance and comfort than the other 150/160cc options you're looking at, but it will return lower fuel economy. And since you're looking at the base variant, you'll only get single-channel ABS like the smaller bikes. 

The Yamaha FZ-X Hybrid will likely be the most fuel-efficient machine of this lot, but it offers lacklustre performance, and its comfort levels aren't that high either.

Our advice would be to take a test ride of everything you shortlist before making a decision. 

If you want to stay within the Royal Enfield fold, you can look at the Hunter 350, which will feel much more manageable and comfortable than your older Bullet. But if you want to get a new version of your bike, the base Battalion Black and Military variants of the Bullet 350 will fit in your budget.

The latest Bullet is a refined, comfortable and reliable machine which should return decent fuel economy, when ridden sensibly. Do bear in mind that with the Hunter, you will get dual-channel ABS. But the Bullet's base models only come with single-channel ABS and a rear drum brake. 

Alternatively, other options from reputed brands worth considering are the TVS Ronin, Apache RTR 200 4V, Honda CB300F, and Bajaj Pulsar N250. These smaller bikes will offer similar performance to the RE 350s - if not more - while being more fuel efficient too. 

Take a test ride of these machines before you make a decision. 

Within your budget, the best option would be the TVS Ronin. Compared to other comparable machines, the Ronin is a good deal lighter and has a low 795mm seat height, too. With its neutral rider's triangle, comfortable suspension setup and smooth, torque-rich engine, the Ronin will be good for both short city rides and long highway trips. 

We'd recommend getting a variant with dual-channel ABS since your budget will be able to accommodate it. 

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. 

Between the TVS Ronin and the Honda Unicorn, the latter is likely to be more fuel efficient owing to its smaller engine. Both bikes are quite comfortable, and which one you find more comfortable would be dependant on your physique. 

In terms of long-term reliability, the Unicorn is an established name that has cemented its reputation for being a trouble-free workhorse. The Ronin, while much newer, also hasn't had any troubling issues reported by and large by owners. 

These are two very different bikes that you're considering, and we'd advise a test ride of both before you make a decision.