Hero MotoCorp bikes in India (25)

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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.

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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.

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The TVS Apache RTX 300 is a much more well-rounded machine than the Hero Xpulse 210. It is faster, more capable at highway speeds, and its handling is very nice when you encounter twisty roads. However, the Xpulse is lighter and will be friendlier for newer riders, especially when riding off-road. Before picking between the two, we'd recommend a thorough test ride of both, and if you want to cap your budget at Rs 2 lakh, then the Xpulse will be your only option because all variants of the RTX are just under or above that mark.

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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.

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Given your requirements, the Triumph Scrambler 400 X/XC is likely to be the best fit. Its upright and commanding riding position, smooth and tractable engine, and capable handling make it a true all-rounder, and it comfortably fits within your budget.If you want the look of an adventure bike or wish for more suspension travel, then options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 and KTM 390 Adventure should be on your shortlist. These bikes are better at highway duties than the Scrambler (not by much, but it is a tangible difference), although they are also heavier than it.It also depends on what your usage pattern is like. If highway touring isn't playing a big role in your riding right now, and you are serious about getting into off-roading, then something lighter and friendlier like the Hero Xpulse 210 and Kawasaki KLX230/KLX230 S is the way to go.First, decide what you're going to be using your bike for and depending on that, take a test ride of the options specified above before you make your decision.

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Since you have mentioned that you will use your next bike for two-up touring with your better half, as you have done with your Xpulse 200, we'd recommend you look at the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. The Himalayan's seating and suspension comfort are the benchmark in its class, and with its powerful 452cc engine will definitely feel like a good step up from your Xpulse 200. Do bear in mind that the Himalayan is a much larger and heavier bike, and in that sense, you will need to make your peace with its sheer physical size if you do purchase it. If you want something similarly capable, yet lighter, then the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure models should be on your radar. The KTMs have even better performance and handling, and if you are a spirited rider, these will suit you better. Do bear in mind that the KTM Adventure models' seating and suspension comfort isn't as good as the Himalayan, although the difference isn't that big, and you can fix the seating issue in the aftermarket for not a lot of money. Engine refinement isn't a strong point of the KTM 390s, and you should expect more rattles and vibrations from them than the Himalayan.Since these are quite different to each other, take test rides of both before you make a decision. It's unclear when the Hero Xpulse 421 will launch, and even when it does, we'd recommend you don't immediately purchase an all-new product on a brand-new platform before the media and owners have had their say about it.

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In addition to the Hero Destini 125, we'd recommend you also consider the TVS Jupiter 125 and the Suzuki Access, too. As overall packages, the TVS and Suzuki are better options than the Hero, although the Destini definitely has a slight edge in terms of overall comfort. In terms of fuel efficiency, all three are quite closely matched and are frugal machines, but long-term ownership should be slightly more trouble-free on the Access. Before you make your decision, take a test ride of all three back-to-back to understand the strong and weak points of all. Currently, E20 fuel is here to stay, and any higher blends are still some time away.

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The Suzuki Gixxer SF 250 is due to undergo a generation change later this year, and we'd advise you not to buy the current model, as that will be phased out soon, and the next-gen model will likely bring in many meaningful updates to this aged platform.Coming to the Triumph Speed T4 (400cc version), this is an accomplished city bike, and if you can find one, we'd recommend you jump on that because now all single-cylinder Triumphs in India are 350cc. Coming from the XTreme 160R, this will be a comprehensive upgrade, although lower fuel economy will be one trade-off.

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There's no clear answer here because no product today in the scooter segment has everything you need. On the product front, it's the Hero Xoom 160 that comes closest to meeting all your requirements. It has a smooth engine capable of holding highway speeds, good seating comfort and decent ride quality. The trouble is, Hero's Premia dealer network is still not widespread across the nation, and spares availability, as well as a quick service turnaround time for Premia products (like the Xoom 160 and Xtreme 250R), will not be on par with rivals with better dealer networks. While the Ntorq's smaller 12-inch wheels won't give you as surefooted handling as other scooters with their 14-inch wheels, it is perhaps the safest bet today. Backed by TVS' widespread sales and service reach in India, the bigger Ntorq is more than what its spec sheet suggests, and we'd recommend you at least take a test ride before writing it off. Coming to the Yamaha Aerox 155, it is simply too uncomfortable to be used on bad patches of road. Meanwhile, the SR 175 is expensive to own and maintain. Add to that the fact that Aprilia's dealer network is also very small and doesn't have a reputation for frictionless service.

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Since you're used to the stiff suspension and tight seating triangle of your sporty Aprilia SR 150, the Yamaha Aerox 155 will likely feel very similar in those regards. Of course, the Aerox's more modern, liquid-cooled engine will feel superior and its good fun to use on both fast roads and in slower city traffic. Expect very good fuel economy and reliability from the Aerox as well and its quick-thinking start-stop tech is one of the best in the business. On the other hand, the Hero MotoCorp Xoom 160 feels like a much larger and more luxurious scooter in terms of its seating and ride comfort. Compared to the Aerox, the Xoom's ride comfort is much better although its not outright plush. If you live in an area with predominantly bad roads, the Xoom will cope better than the Aerox. Its engine is also fairly punchy, but in terms of handling, the Xoom won't match the sprightly Aerox because it is a heavier and more relaxed machine. It can still take sweeping corners pretty quickly but its not going to be as agile as the Yamaha. Both have similar features and under seat storage areas but the Xoom's start/stop tech can get tiring to use in the city because its much slower than the Aerox's excellent system. Neither of the two scooters will have any storage space on the floorboard because their underbone frames have prominent spine sections, unlike your Aprilia, which will be something you'll have to work around. While both are directly comparable on paper, the real-world picture is actually quite different. Depending on the sort of experience you're after and which one feels better to use, make your decision. To do that, we'd recommend exhaustive test rides of both.