Bajaj bikes in India (21)

autocar.india

•2d

While the 250cc Suzuki bikes are undoubtedly good machines, we'd recommend you hold off on that because Suzuki is readying an all-new Gixxer lineup which will debut at the end of this year and these will be next-gen models which will bring in a host of functional improvements. If you can't wait that long, we'd recommend looking at the Bajaj Pulsar N250, which is a sorted machine and will serve you well. Do bear in mind that coming from your twin-cylinder Interceptor 650, these smaller, single-cylinder 250s will feel like a big step down and you may perhaps wish for something slightly more substantial and premium feeling after a while. Instead of downsizing so severely, you should look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 which will be pleasant and comfortable to use inside the city but will still give you a premium, feel-good experience which the smaller bikes won't be able to match. Since you're intimately acquainted with RE ownership, the Hunter will slot in nicely into your life as well. Take a test ride of these bikes to see which one fits your usage better ultimately and then make your decision.

autocar.india

•4d

An electric scooter is the more practical and frugal way to approach your 40km daily commute, and in that regard, the River Indie will make for a spacious and practical machine with more than sufficient range for your needs. The new Keeway Hypevolt-R is a far more expensive product from an unknown brand, so we wouldn't really recommend it unless you absolutely must have something distinctive and flashy with seriously zippy performance. On the other hand, the petrol-powered motorcycle is a fun way to tackle your 40km commute. The 350cc Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z is a really fun machine with its lovely top-end rush of power and crisp handling characteristics. The TVS Apache RTX 300 will be a little slower, but it will compensate for it with far better comfort and features.Really, the choice will come down to what sort of experience you want consistently on your commute, and we'd advise a test ride of the Indie as well as the bikes you've shortlisted before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•4d

Moving up from a Pulsar 150, you should check out the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400, which will feel more substantial and comfortable, not to mention head and shoulders above when it comes to performance. Since your ride has a lot of highway stretches, a machine that can cruise comfortably at higher speeds while keeping you comfortable will be a good bet.If you want to look at the adventure bike space, consider the Hero Xpulse 210 and TVS Apache RTX 300. The Xpulse is lighter, which will make it easier to manage at slower speeds, and its smaller engine will also be more fuel efficient. On the other hand, the RTX has a more powerful engine capable of delivering more performance and its seating comfort is better than the Xpulse. Do bear in mind that both of these are tall bikes and will require some skill to manage if you're a shorter person.If, instead, you want a neo-retro machine, then consider proven options like the Honda CB350 models and Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350. These are relaxed and comfortable machines with torquey engines, which will be suitable for long commutes. When ridden sensibly, they also return good fuel economy. These bikes are all very different from one another, and to accurately gauge which is the best one for you, take a test ride of all before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•2d

Between the two Pulsar models you have shortlisted, the N160 would be our pick. Not only does it have the more modern mechanical fundamentals, the better feature-set and will be more fuel efficient, but also it comes in multiple variants, which have a single-piece seat, which should address your concerns about travelling with a pillion. Since you mentioned you like the Honda CB350 but it wasn't fitting in your budget, take a look at the Royal Enfield Hunter 350. The Hunter is much more affordable than the CB350 but will give you similar comfort, performance and form factor. It is also a proven commodity, which means realistically, in the long-term, your ownership should be free of any unwelcome surprises. Take test rides of both the N160 and Hunter, and depending on your budget and preference, make your decision.

autocar.india

•6d

At some point in our lives, we were all in your shoes, and no matter which motorcycle you get, it's going to be a fun road ahead! First things first, since your budget is Rs 2 lakh, why not consider the 350cc Bajaj Pulsar NS400Z? This bike will give you more performance than any other machine at this price point, and it's an exciting and engaging machine without being too cramped and uncomfortable. The NS400Z's on road price is also likely to cross the Rs 2 lakh mark, but it will well undercut the Rs 2.70 lakh asking price of the KTM 250 Duke.

autocar.india

•6d

Since your budget is under Rs 1 lakh, pick a 100-110cc commuter from the likes of the Hero HF / Passion Plus, Honda Shine 100, Bajaj Platina 110 and TVS Sport / Star City Plus / Radeon models. The 100cc models will, of course, return more fuel efficiency than the 110s, and if you must have the lowest running costs possible, then opting for the smaller machines makes sense. All of these bikes have been around for a very long time and are hardy, reliable and time-tested products, so no matter which one you choose, you can't really go wrong. Take test rides to help make your decision process a little easier.

autocar.india

•4d

After-sales and servicing depend on a multitude of factors, and you should choose between the Rizta and Chetak based on which dealer and service centre feels like the safer bet to you. Cost per kilometre will also vary largely based on how much you ride every day and how fast you do so (because range will vary as per the riding mode you're in), so it's hard to accurately gauge this. Both the Rizta and Chetak are proven products and are pretty evenly matched, except in terms of price, where the Rizta is quite a bit more expensive. So, pick whichever one you like more.

autocar.india

•4d

It seems you are looking for a no-nonsense machine with absolute reliability and comfort at the forefront, in which case our recommendation is the Honda Unicorn. The Unicorn has cemented its reputation as a reliable workhorse over the 2 decades it has been on sale in India, and it would be hard to go wrong with this machine. Take a test ride of the Unicorn and see if it fits your use case, and in case you feel like you want a livelier option, look at the TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160.

autocar.india

•4d

With your monthly budget for fuel, you can definitely purchase a petrol scooter, and with gentle riding, you may even be able to come under that mark. If you want the typical strengths of a family scooter combined with peppy performance, then the Suzuki Access is to be considered over the 110cc TVS Jupiter and Honda Activa, otherwise the 110s will perform just fine. If you really want the lowest running cost and have home charging, an electric scooter like the TVS iQube, Bajaj Chetak, Ather Rizta, and Vida VX2 will cut your monthly running costs quite significantly, and maintenance, too, is minimal. Given your low usage, the fuel savings over a petrol-powered scooter will take some time to recoup. And in case of a spontaneous situation presenting itself, fuelling up a petrol-powered scooter is a much faster process than juicing up an e-scooter's battery. Take a call between the two based on your usage pattern and then make your decision.

autocar.india

•6d

Since you mentioned comfort is your top priority, switching to a motorcycle makes sense, as it usually offers better ride comfort than a scooter. We would recommend you look at the 160cc segment, specifically options like the Honda Unicorn / SP160, TVS Apache RTR 160 4V and Bajaj Pulsar N160. These bikes have low seat heights, manageable kerb weights and will be much more comfortable than your Pleasure over road imperfections. Another upside will be that you will see a noticeable step up in terms of performance with just a small drop in fuel economy, provided you ride sensibly.If, instead, you want to go for a smaller 125cc machine, then look at proven options like the Honda Shine / CB125 Hornet, TVS Raider and Hero Xtreme 125R. These bikes will be extremely fuel-efficient and will give you the step-up in comfort over your Pleasure that you want. Since you are a shorter person, their lower kerb weights and friendly seat heights will also appeal to you.Take test rides of options from both segments based on your preferences and then make your decision.