Interestingly, there are quite a few adventure bikes that stand out
Interestingly, there are quite a few adventure bikes that stand out
With new emission laws and uncertain geopolitical issues looming large, it could have very well been the reason to not get exciting sub-500 cc bikes this year. However, that is far from what has taken place thus far. Here are the five bikes that have entered the Indian market that have been quite fun:
This was a natural follow-up to the RS 457 as Aprilia rolled out the Tuono 457 naked a few months ago. The twin-cylinder naked is more or less the RS 457 sans fairing and more upright ergonomics. However, what makes the small Tuono so exciting is the more wholesome experience it manages to deliver while being that sharp and thrilling. We did pit it against the king of the segment, the KTM 390 Duke, and here are our thoughts on the two brilliant Indo-European nakeds:
KTM did make us wait for over a year and a half for its next bike on the updated 390 platform but boy was it worth it. The new 390 Adventure siblings bring forth the true KTM adventure DNA, something that was highly lacking with the older model. With two distinct identities, the 390 Adventure and 390 Adventure X offer a solid two-pronged attack on the Royal Enfield Himalayan. The standard bike offers a lot of adjustability and fine-tuning to the rider that comes in handy in all riding situations and is certainly better equipped to go off-road. The 390 ADV X is now more versatile as KTM finally added bits like cruise control and riding aids to it. Yes, it will become pricier in the process but it justifies the premium rather well.
This was a surprise package from Hero. Marrying versatile and engaging performance from the new 250 cc mill to a competent handling package, the new Xtreme 250R is Hero’s sportiest offering yet. It certainly is the naked in the segment to get if you want a balanced riding feel without necessarily breaking the bank as much. It is quick but controllable, sharp but composed and engaging but friendly in its approach, making it a great all-rounder.
After much hoopla on the internet, and for good reason, KTM brought us a India-friendly 390 Enduro R and has promised to bring the international-spec model as well. But suspension disparity aside, the 390 Enduro R is the bike to get for the serious off-road enthusiasts that prefer a dual-sport machine. It is far more capable than the Adventure off tarmac, is even more brappy and is pure fun. Yes, the small fuel tank and regular spoke wheels are compromises as a single-bike garage. However, it is a no brainer for mucking about without going pro.
Beside the name, there is nothing categorically the same on the new Hero XPulse 210 from its predecessor, the XPulse 200 4V. The new motorcycle is a ground-up new ADV with a retuned 210 cc heart from the Karizma XMR 210. Here the motor is optimised for the ADV format as the XPulse is finally a machine that will not struggle on the highway. The saddle experience is also a lot better with the bike being easier to straddle while standing up and riding. And it doesn’t let go of its friendly vibe that made it such a hit amongst off-roaders.
