Best 350-500cc Bikes In India: KTM 390 Duke, Royal Enfield Himalayan And More!

From budget-friendly tourers to expensive supersports, here are the best 350-500cc bikes in India

The mid-capacity segment, which has branched out into various genres, has gained momentum over the past couple of years. So whether you’re a budget-oriented buyer or an enthusiast with surplus cash, you now have plenty of options in different price brackets. And if you’re on the lookout to pick up your next bike from this segment, you ought to look at the following options. 

Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6: Rs 1,86,811

We start things off with the best adventure tourer you can buy below Rs 2 lakh - the Royal Enfield Himalayan BS6. The bike may look old school, but that’s part of its charm. It comes with the best ergos you can ask for on an adventure tourer. Its 400cc engine has enough bottom end for off-road use. The motor can cruise at 100kmph all day long but tends to lose steam post that. Its long-travel suspension setup is supple enough to gobble up the worst of roads while its high ground clearance ensures you overcome most obstacles. Aiding its off-road prowess are a pair of spoked wheels -- 21-inch up front and 17-inch at the rear wrapped in dual-purpose tyres. Yes, the sheer weight of the bike takes some time getting used to, but once you do, there’s no looking back. You’ll fall in love with the bike.

Bajaj Dominar 400 BS6: Rs 1,91,751

Bajaj expected a lot from the Dominar, but it, unfortunately, didn’t deliver as per the brand’s expectations. The bike was plagued by a vibey engine, a stiff rear monoshock, and the lack of premium mechanicals that were initially displayed on the concept. But, Bajaj rectified these issues to a large extent with the previous update. The Dominar 400 went through several changes that made the bike one of the best value-for-money prepositions in the market. For instance, it features a 373cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled DOHC engine with an ECU retune and a new exhaust that helps the bike make 5PS more power than before. Peak power stands at 40PS while its torque output sits at 35Nm, mated to a 6-speed transmission aided by a slipper clutch. 

The front suspension has been updated to an upside-down fork running a radially mounted caliper and a larger 320mm disc brake. Other notable features include dual-tone wheels, a twin-barrel exhaust, a revised LED headlight, and split digital instrument console. All of this comes together to make the Dominar an exciting proposition in this segment. 

Also Read: Top 5 Best 300-350cc Bikes In India

KTM 390 Duke BS6: Rs 2,52,928

If you’re looking for power-packed performance on a budget, it doesn’t get any better than the KTM 390 Duke. You have a bike that looks absolutely stunning no matter which way you put it, an engine with plenty of performance, a chassis that offers lightning-quick reactions, and premium mechanicals that’ll help you push the bike to its absolute limit. And if that’s not enough, the bike comes with a full-TFT colour display, a quickshifter, ride-by-wire throttle, and LED lights all around. 

Benelli TRK 502 BS4: 5,10,000

The Benelli TRK 502 helps you tap into the adventure touring segment with the big bike feel and a decent amount of performance. The 499.6cc fuel-injected parallel-twin motor makes 47.5PS and 46Nm, which isn’t intimidating by any means, giving newer riders more confidence to swing a leg over. Granted, the TRK 502 may not be the most-feature packed bike here, but it offers a good deal of kit for its asking price. You get a tall commanding riding posture, road presence, a sweet-sounding motor, a tall windscreen for touring, the option to mount panniers, and 17-inch wheels with road-going tyres to go the distance. 

Kawasaki Ninja 400: Rs.4,99,000 

If money isn’t an issue, you could pick up the Kawasaki Ninja 400. Yes, it hurts to shell out Rs 4.99 lakh on a 400cc bike, especially when you can get a Ninja 650 for just a bit more. But, the Ninja 400 is an absolute masterpiece. It’s the best bike in its segment in terms of performance (49PS and 38Nm) and handling dynamics. It’s quick to lean in, eager to power out of corners, and has plenty of grunt through the rev. More importantly, it is comfortable to ride despite being a supersport. It has all the necessary tools to make it an ideal beginner’s bike. In fact, if it wasn’t for the price, we would have recommended it over the KTM RC 390.