KTM bikes in India (25)

Autocar India

•2w

Since you've said your primary use case is in the city, the 350cc Triumph Speed 400 is the one that will appeal the most to your sensible side. It has a tractable engine, good suspension and seating comfort and will also return decent fuel economy when ridden sensibly. If maximum thrills are what you're after, the 350cc KTM 390 Duke still remains a potent option, although the Duke is a smaller, more cramped and more buzzy machine. If you're willing to live with this, then you'll have an engaging and entertaining machine which also has superb handling and lots of features. Splitting the difference between these two is the 452cc Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, which is more KTM in terms of its riding character, combining sporty handling and punchy performance. Do bear in mind that its fuel economy is likely to be the lowest of these three. We'd recommend the Apex variant of the Guerrilla for strictly road usage because it comes with grippier Vredestein tyres.

Autocar India

•2w

Addressing the two single-cylinder machines first, between the 399cc KTM 390 Adventure and 350cc Triumph Scrambler 400 XC, the KTM bike is sure to be the more fun and capable machine. Its engine is much more powerful, its suspension much more capable and it fits the brief better for your needs than the Triumph bike. One area where the 390 Adventure will not be as good as the Scrambler 400 XC is city manners, because its engine feels buzzy and frankly unhappy at lower revs and its large windscreen also blocks some cooling wind at predominantly slower city speeds. Now coming to the BMW F 450 GS, this is a machine that could be your one bike to do it all with its twin-cylinder engine, capable suspension and comfortable ergonomics. However, we still haven't spent enough seat time on the small GS - the first ride event was a rather rushed one - and BMW bikes are notorious for being expensive to own and maintain. Then there's also the fact that the F 450 GS is based on an all-new platform and its long-term reliability still remains a question mark. Our recommendation would be the 399cc KTM 390 Adventure of the three bikes you've chosen but should you decide to go for the GS instead, we'd advise you to at least defer your purchase by six months so that you have more real-world information on the GS and then make an informed decision.

Autocar India

•2w

Between 160 and 200 Duke models, we'd steer you toward the 200 Duke because it seems like you're looking for a fun machine and since you already have a bigger machine at home, the 160 could feel a little bland as time wears on. The 200 Duke has a rev-happy nature like the 160 Duke and with its added firepower, it makes for a good second machine, especially considering that the price difference between the two isn't all that large. If we're being honest, you should actually also take a look at the 250 Duke because it is a genuine step up over the 200 and if you're going to keep the bike for a while, go the whole hog and get something that will keep you entertained for a longer period. In our experience, we've found the latest-gen 250 Duke to be a sweet middle child of sorts in the KTM lineup, which offers everyday versatility with engaging performance when you want it. Over the 200 Duke, the 250 also doesn't cost a lot more and we'd recommend you stretch your budget if you can and get the quarter-litre Duke if you can.Take a test ride of the 250 Duke to see if you resonate with this KTM bike and then make your decision.

Autocar India

•2w

Considering your long highway travel distances as well as the fact that you travel with a pillion frequently, an adventure bike should be on the top of your shortlist. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is an excellent road touring machine and if you can manage its heft and size at slower speeds, it should be a fine fit for your use case. In case you want something more affordable and fuel efficient, the 350cc KTM 390 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300 are good alternatives to consider. The KTM bike has been around long enough that there are unlikely to be huge surprises in your ownership journey but the RTX is still a fairly new machine. A test ride of these three is the first order of business for you and take your preferred travel companion with you to get an accurate idea of pillion comfort as well.

Autocar India

•2w

The Royal Enfield Guerrilla comes with a 452cc engine, whereas the Triumph Scrambler 400 X now comes with a 349cc engine so its no surprise that the Triumph didn't feel as sprightly in comparison. However, for your usage, should you be willing to sacrifice some pep, the 350cc Scrambler 400 X is actually a great all-rounder. Especially since you're a novice and want to get into off-roading. The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is a great bike but we'd advise you to not consider this bike, at least not if you plan to start your off-roading journey with it. At 196kg, the Himalayan is a heavy machine and with its fuel tank full, it also feels rather top heavy, which could get challenging for a beginner to manage at crawling off-road speeds. However, for city commuting and highway journeys, this Royal Enfield bike will be quite nice - its only off-roading where its weight will be a serious deterrent.The 350cc KTM 390 Adventure would be a good middle-ground option between the two aforementioned bikes - in theory, at least. Its lighter than the Himalayan and has more power than the Scrambler. A test ride should shed more light on whether this KTM bike is the one for you. Since you said you're looking to get into off-road riding, we'd be remiss if we didn't recommend the Hero Xpulse 210 to you. Now, the Xpulse is definitely a smaller and slower machine than all the machines listed above but if you genuinely want to hone your craft and get better at off-road riding, there's genuinely no better place to start than here. City commuting is another strength of the Xpulse, although on the highway, its engine feels a little stressed post 100kph. If you don't mind compromising on outright performance on the highway, then the Xpulse will be a good option for you. Some other benefits of choosing the Xpulse would be that it returns excellent fuel economy - much higher than all other options - and it costs much less to buy too.You need to evaluate your priorities and make an informed decision after test riding all three bikes. Best of luck!

Autocar India

•3w

Since you have a rather long daily commute and don't want to go for a neo-retro machine, an adventure bike makes good sense. Your previously shortlisted - but no longer available - options indicate that you were looking to get something in the 250-300cc space. In that vein, we'd recommend you look at the TVS Apache RTX 300. The RTX is a comfortable, quick and feature-laden machine which will also return decent fuel economy if ridden sensibly. In a similiar vein, you should also look at the KTM 250 Adventure and the base 390 Adventure (350cc) models, depending on your usage and budget. A test ride of these options will help you narrow down which bike is best for you.

Autocar India

•3w

Depending on your riding style, there are multiple different options to choose from in the segment you're looking at. If you're looking for a quick and sporty machine, then the 350cc Triumph Speed 400, KTM 390 Duke and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 make good sense because they have energetic performance as well as good comfort (the KTM bike will be a little less comfy than the Triumph bike in this one regard, but will have more performance). On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you prefer to ride in an unhurried fashion, then look no further than the Royal Enfield Classic / Bullet 350, Honda CB350 models and Triumph Speed T4. These bikes have great comfort and should also be reliable in the long run.If you want something that prioritizes comfort and utility over all else, then an adventure bike is the way to go. You have the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, TVS Apache RTX 300 and KTM 390 Adventure models (with both 350cc and 399cc motors, depending on your needs and budgetary restrictions) in this class. In our opinion, as an all-rounder, nothing can match the versatility of the Himalayan and if you're comfortable with its size, this is definitely an option worth considering. As always, first decide what form factor appeals to you the most and will suit your usage best and then accordingly take test rides based on that before making your decision.

Autocar India

•3w

Both bikes have individual strengths and weaknesses, so you'll have to choose your bike depending on what you can live with and without. The (now 350cc) Triumph Scrambler 400 X can be an all-rounder if you want, but it excels in city situations. On the highway, once you cross the triple-digit threshold, you can feel the engine starting to cross its comfort zone and start to feel a little strained with vibrations creeping in progressively. The KTM 390 Adventure (398cc version) remains a proven bet to stick with as a do-it-all machine, although inside the city at slower speeds and lower revs, the engine can feel a little gutless below 4,000rpm. However, on the highway it will deliver the same performance we've come to know and expect from KTM 390s and remains a good option for weekend rides and touring.When it comes to seat height and ergonomics, this KTM bike again has the upper hand because it is a little easier to get your feet down than on the Triumph bike. Do keep in mind that physically, the Adventure is a larger machine than the Scrambler and inside the city filtering through tight gaps, you'll feel that size. We haven't yet ridden the 350cc KTM 390 Adventure and we'd advise you to get a test ride of both bikes to get a clearer idea before you make a decision.

Autocar India

•6w

Since you're upgrading from a Ronin, we'd recommend you take a look at the Harley-Davidson X440. It has a similiar riding position, a smooth, torquey engine, and neo-retro looks as well. The 440cc motor is a refined unit and can easily cruise between 100-120kph without breaking a sweat. If you want something a little sportier, then machines like the KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and TVS Apache RTR 310 are worth considering. These bikes have the performance to cruise at 120kph and more, but neither is particularly refined. A test ride of these is imperative so you can make an informed decision.

Autocar India

•6w

The KTM 390 Enduro R is one of the most fun machines you can buy in its category today, but it comes with some compromises. You need to be okay with its tall 890mm seat height, 177kg kerb weight and tubed tyres. Coming to your questions, firstly, the 390 Enduro R is actually quite nice on the road. Day-to-day riding will become quite enjoyable, not to mention rather fast because of its tough, long-travel suspension and commanding ergonomics. You'll only need to be mindful of punctures and the lower tank range. If this is to be your only bike, then the Enduro might not be the most practical or user-friendly option. Taking it off-road might prove to be too much for a beginner, especially so if you find its seat height intimidating. An adventure bike like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 or KTM 390 Adventure X will undoubtedly be more practical, capable and user-friendly on the road but will feel a little larger off it. Ultimately, it all boils down to two things. First, can you live with the seat height (both on and off the road) and second, are you willing to live with the compromises the Enduro comes with over its Adventure sibling?If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then you should go ahead with your purchase. Only an exhaustive test ride will help you figure out whether the Enduro will be the right fit for you.