General Whatever

[Vsdoc]

You still haven't told us what you plan to use the bike for.

It would also help to know how tall you are. And how much you weigh.

Some of these bikes are tall. And some of them are quite heavy (close to 200 kilos).

 

[Vsdoc]

RE Hunter 350 1.70 lacs
Bullet 350 1.96 lacs
Pulsar NS400Z 2.10 lacs
Honda CB350 2.29 lacs

Triumph Speed 2.90 lacs
RE Guerrilla 3.09 lacs
Harley X440 3.16 lacs
Triumph Scrambler 3.25 lacs
Husqvarna Svartpilen 401 3.40 lacs
KTM Duke 390 3.58 lacs
RE Himalayan 450 3.65 lacs
KTM Adventure 390 3.91 lacs

Now you owe me a treat.

The first group is the lower cubic capacity (300-350 cc, except the Pulsar) and lower performance (20-30 bhp, again except the Pulsar) in around the 2 lac band. The entry level performance segment, that commuter uncles and students/young men buying their first bike upgrade to.

The second group is the premium performance segment, higher cubic capacity (400-450 cc) and performance (40-45 bhp), in the higher 3-4 lacs band.

In terms of performance to cost, nothing comes close to the Pulsar NS400Z. Which is a genuine Group 2 bike, at a Group 1 price.

 

[Vsdoc]

@Afhan what are your views of the Taliban government and its performance since they have cone to power.

Do you live in Afghanistan, or are you also somewhere in the west.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

The KTMs and Husqvarna are very pricey. Top performers, but the styling is not to everyone's taste. Nor is their manic nature.

Royal Enfield has a number of options. I'm assuming you are not into touring or adventure riding. So no Himalayan. I have a special spot in my heart for the standard black Bullet with the classic hand painted gold piping. Or there is a Duke version RE haa come out with which is pretty competent looking. The Guerrilla.

The Hero Harley we already talked about.

The Triumph twins are pretty good. And nice looking. The Speed 400 is my pick. I loved it.

The Pulsar 400 is also a great bike. With a lot of the KTM. At a budget. The Dominar not so.

The Honda 350 is all about the looks and image and sound. It has no poke in the engine. If your riding and you are ok with that, its not a bad bike. Its a Honda.

The TVS boys have just come out with a new mini Adventure bike at a great price. Its getting great reviews. The Apache RTX 300. You should at least look at it.

Hope this helps. Prices of the above are all in a similar ballpark as the REs or the Honda.

Great information. Thanks.

 

[Vsdoc]

Great information. Thanks.

Please remove the TVS Apache RTX300 from the consideration set.

Already multiple reports of engine being opened on new bikes, and many hardly few month old bikes found on sale on auto groups and marketplaces.

I've removed it from my posts.

 

[Vsdoc]

Please remove the TVS Apache RTX300 from the consideration set.

Already multiple reports of engine being opened on new bikes, and many hardly few month old bikes found on sale on auto groups and marketplaces.

I've removed it from my posts.

In its place, I would ask you to consider the Japanese thoroughbred, the Suzuki Gixxer 250 instead.

2.14 lacs for the naked and 2.24 lacs for the sports faired (SF) version.

Except for the Pulsar, all the other Group 1 bikes are 20 bhp.

The Gixxer is a 26 bhp mill, with superb oomph. And killer looks.

And its a Suzuki. Period.

Most important, Doc has one from 2019 in his garage.