Royal Enfield Himalayan Base

autocar.india

•16h

Depending on your budget, the answer to your question will vary widely. If you can stretch up to Rs 5 lakh, options like the KTM 390 Adventure S and Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 are our prime picks in the adventure tourer segment. They have punchy performance, good handling (KTM has the edge over RE here) and have enough comfort to tackle everything Indian roads can throw at you (RE is better here than KTM).If you want to stay below Rs 3 lakh, options like the TVS Apache RTX 300, Honda CB350 models, and Royal Enfield Classic/Bullet 350 should be the ones you take a test ride on. The RTX will feel faster and more capable, but the 350s have a different charm with their slow-revving motors and appealing design.Take test rides of all these machines before you make your decision.

autocar.india

•5d

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is one of the most sorted sub-500cc, single-cylinder adventure tourers in India and will make for a good step up from your Dominar. While the performance on tap will largely be the same, the Himalayan's suspension and seating comfort, as well as overall quality levels, will definitely feel a tangible notch higher than the Dominar's. We'd recommend you go for the Himalayan right now over the upcoming Norton Atlas because the latter is likely to be in a different price bracket entirely. Also, its India launch timing and service reach remain shrouded in mystery, and for a daily rider, those legitimate concerns matter more than a feel-good brochure.

autocar.india

•5d

Since you are leaning towards adventure bikes, our first recommendation to you would be the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450. It will feel like a proper step up in terms of performance, comfort, build quality and features. It is also far more comfortable for long days in the saddle when touring and is capable of carrying luggage as well as a pillion without fuss.Be aware that the Himalayan is heavy and tall, so U-turns and city commuting will take some getting used to. If you are a spirited rider and you want sharper performance, look at the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure X. It is quicker and lighter on its feet and great for fast highway work, but its suspension and seat comfort aren't quite at the level of the Himalayan. Take test rides of both before you make a decision.

autocar.india

•1w

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.

autocar.india

•2w

Whether or not you want to keep your Hunter and supplement your garage or have only one bike to handle everything is a personal decision, and we'd advise you to evaluate your priorities and make that decision.What we can tell you is that the 398cc KTM 390 Adventure will be more fun than the RE Himalayan 450 with its explosive top-end rush and significantly lower weight. If you do choose to keep the Hunter, then going with a machine that's markedly different in character and from a different brand makes more sense, so you get to choose between two distinct flavours of motorcycling as and when you wish.

autocar.india

•2w

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.

autocar.india

•4w

Since you have said you want comfort, we'd recommend you rule out the KTM 390 Duke. The Duke can be usable on a day-to-day basis, but it is a stiffly sprung and sporty machine that's also rather cramped for taller folks and especially coming from the Meteor, could prove too uncomfortable.The Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 is a good choice, which will balance performance and comfort, although there will be a short adjustment period for you before you completely gel with it. We'd recommend going for the Apex variant, which comes with grippier Vredestein rubber that is better than the standard variant's CEAT shoes.The KTM 390 Adventure is a great bike for long-distance travelling, and if that is going to be the main reason behind your purchase, then it makes sense. However, inside the city, it can feel a little too buzzy, and its fuel economy isn't great either. Do bear in mind that KTMs comes with stiff seats and you will either have to adapt to it or get it fixed in the aftermarket.Since you are already considering the 390 Adventure, it would make sense to also look at the Himalayan 450. This is the more rounded of the two machines in our experience, and its ride comfort is unparalleled at this price point. Its size and weight will take some getting used to, but if you are okay with it, then this is a machine definitely worth considering.Take test rides of all before you go ahead with your purchase, so you make an informed decision.

autocar.india

•4w

An ADV is the logical recommendation usually for your query, and we'd normally recommend options like the Royal Enfield Himalayan 450, KTM 390 Adventure and TVS Apache RTX 300. These bikes will fit your criteria quite nicely and offer you similar performance to your R3.However, since you have said you are on the shorter side and you want something more manageable for your stature, the only option you have realistically is the 350cc Bajaj Dominar 400. The Dominar has a low 800mm seat height, and while it weighs as much or more than the aforementioned options, since it is a lower bike, you'll be able to manage it better. Do bear in mind that the Dominar is a much simpler, older and more affordable machine than the three ADVs mentioned above, and you will feel that. To assess whether or not the Dominar should be your next bike, take your preferred pillion along with you on a test ride of all the options listed above. Then, depending on what you feel, go ahead with the bike that suits you guys best.

autocar.india

•4w

Since you're innately familiar with Royal Enfield ownership, upgrading to the Himalayan 450 seems like a safe bet. The Himalayan's suspension can iron out pretty much any road imperfection you encounter and its performance will be a big step up over the Hunter you own too. The only caveat with going for the Himalayan is that it is a tall and heavy bike, and these attributes will make their presence felt at slower speeds inside the city. If you want slightly higher performance levels on a lighter machine, then the KTM 390 Adventure models (whether you opt for 350cc or 399cc iterations is up to the budget you have) are worth considering. The KTM bikes have great handling, punchy top-end performance and come with features like adjustable suspension, traction control and a bidirectional quick shifter - depending on the variant. In your Rs. 7 lakh budget, you can also get the BMW F 450 GS, although depending on your city's taxation structure, you may need to stretch your budget a little if you are eyeing the top Trophy variant. The new entry-level GS is a competent machine and will be a step up in refinement from the single-cylinder machines mentioned above and it is also lighter than them. You will, however, need to be prepared for higher running and maintenance costs expected of a machine wearing the BMW badge. Take test rides of these machines to decide which one works best for you before you make your next purchase. If none of these options seem enticing, you could also retrofit the latest-gen Hunter's suspension to your older model which will bring some much needed relief in terms of ride quality. Do bear in mind that this swap will likely void your warranty and we'd recommend reaching out to your nearest dealership for more clarity on the same.

autocar.india

•5w

The Royal Enfield Himalayan 450 is one of the most sorted single-cylinder adventure bikes on sale, and aside from its portly kerb weight and large size, there are few drawbacks with this machine. It has excellent seating and ride comfort, a grunty engine, a plethora of official accessories, and RE's service network is one of the widest in the country. If you can make your peace with its size, the Himalayan is a hard machine to fault realistically, for most use cases.Today, KTM India will sell you a 390 Adventure with both 349cc and 399cc engines, and the price difference between the most affordable and most expensive model is over Rs 1 lakh. The 350cc 390 Adventure is a capable long-distance machine, and you won't miss the drop in outright peak power too much, especially if this is your first 300cc+ machine. The 399cc models are, of course, packing in better performance, and the higher variants even come with more adjustable and longer travel suspension. Owing to its lighter weight, the KTM is more lively than the RE in the twisties and is also easier to manage at slower speeds inside the city. Do bear in mind that no matter which version of the 390 Adventure you choose, you'll have to make your peace with some amount of vibration because these aren't the most refined bikes in today's market. Coming to the Norton Atlas adventure models, with their 585cc, twin-cylinder motors. These bikes are sure to be in a different segment when compared to the single-cylinder 350-400cc machines listed above. No realistic comparison between them would be a fair or straightforward one, and it's better to cross-shop the Atlas with the Honda NX500, Kawasaki Versys 650 and BMW F 450 GS - if at all. We're yet to ride and evaluate the Norton Atlas models, and even if they launch this year, it would be a wise move to wait at least 6 months - if not more - before investing in a brand-new platform from a new brand which has yet to establish a comprehensive presence in the Indian market.