Best Bikes for Long Rides(Drive) in India
The craze for touring motorcycles in India is newfound but justified. Who doesn’t love to take their beloved bike on a long solo or group trip?
There are multiple touring bikes on offer in India. The best bikes for long rides and that too under three lakhs are as follows –
Best Bikes for Long Rides:
Bajaj Dominar 400
The Dominar 400 got its much-needed upgrades back in 2019. The bike now is a better product with more refinements on offer.
The side-view mirrors now look premium. The side stand is now a forged piece. It is capable of bearing the weight of the bike even when loaded with luggage. The exhaust system now comes with double barrels that improve performance by many folds. The bike now comes equipped with straps beneath the pillion seat. These can be used to strap in luggage using bungee cords with ease.
The mechanical improvements of the bike come in the form of USD front fork suspension units borrowed from KTM. The front disc brake comes with radial calipers for better stopping power.
The rear suspension unit is the same preload-adjustable mono-shock unit. The rear wheel has a disc brake as well. The bike comes with an efficient dual-channel ABS.
The engine is a 373.2 CC. single-cylinder, liquid-cooled unit. It is a fuel-injected engine with reinforced valves. The camshaft is located directly over the engine which improves performance by many folds. The peak power and torque output of the engine stand at 39.4bhp and 35Nm respectively.
Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220
Bajaj Avenger Cruise 220 is yet another flagship bike from the house of Bajaj. The latest iteration of the bike is re-tuned to meet the BS6-emission norms. The bike also got a series of mechanical upgrades.
The overall styling package of the bike is timeless and appealing. It is one of the many reasons why Bajaj kept the style of the bike untouched.
The overall look of the bike continues to remain similar to a compact cruiser motorcycle. It still carries a low-slung profile and long wheelbase. The saddle-like seat is now more comfortable. The handlebar is rear-swept. The bike now comes with a sturdy windscreen at the front. This is a welcome addition as it protects the rider from the elements at cruising speeds. Tasteful chrome garnishing is added all over the bike. The wheels on offer are wire-spoke wheels that add to the appeal.
The hardware offered with the bike remains almost the same as the BS4 version of the bike. The front-wheel comes with telescopic fork suspension units. The units are paired with double anti-friction bushes.
The rear suspension duties are handled by two spring-with-damper units that are preload-adjustable.
The front wheel is paired with a 280mm disc brake and single-channel ABS. The rear wheel comes with a 130 mm drum brake unit.
In terms of engine upgrades, the bike now sports a finely tuned fuel injection unit. The engine is the same 220 CC, single-cylinder, oil-cooled, SOHC unit. It comes with twin-spark technology. The engine is tuned to belt out 18.7bhp of peak power when at 8,500rpm. The same can produce 17.5Nm of peak torque when at 7,000rpm.
The gearbox is a smooth-shifting five-speed unit.
Check – Best Bikes for Long Rides
KTM 390 Adventure
The KTM 390 Adventure is based on the Duke 390. The bike comes with a suspension setup that is meant for trailblazing. Both the front and rear suspension units offer longer suspension travel. The tires on offer are dual-purpose and it also comes with a large fuel tank. The seating position of the bike is upright which makes it ideal for long bike trips.
The engine on the bike is a 373.2 CC unit. It is a single-cylinder motor that is fuel-injected and liquid-cooled. The engine is tuned to belt out 42.3 bhp of peak power and 37 Nm of peak torque. The bike has front and rear disc brakes. Dual-channel ABS is standard fitment. The gearbox on offer is a six-speed unit. The bike also boasts a switchable traction control system!
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