Triumph Speed 400 Standard

Taking your considerations into account, bikes we would recommend taking a look at are the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X / XC. 

Both will offer you considerably higher performance than your Yezdi bike and will also be comfortable enough to handle daily commuting duties while being brisk enough on the highway as well. 

If you want an air-cooled, torquey engine, then you could even take a look at the Harley-Davidson X440, which is a comfortable neo-retro roadster that has decent performance. 

Take a test ride of the machines you shortlist before picking one. 

Bajaj has decided to downsize the 400cc Triumph and KTM models in India to ensure these bikes attract a lower 18 percent GST in comparison to the 40 percent tax attracted by machines over 350cc in accordance with the government's GST 2.0 regulation. 

The Speed 350 should be very similar in terms of its mechanics to the 400 - save for the smaller engine and slightly lower performance - and will most likely have a more competitive price as well. 

If you don't want to miss out on having a 40hp, 400cc bike, then you should buy the Speed 400 before it is replaced by a slightly smaller machine.  

Of the three bikes you're considering, the KTM 250 Duke will be the most engaging handler, but it has the least peak output and the smallest engine. This means you will have to rev it more to access the meat of the performance.

The Triumph Speed 400 is the most powerful bike of your shortlisted options. It will be a great city bike because of its effortless performance and plush suspension.

The TVS Apache RTX 300 is sure to be the most comfortable machine of the three. Its long-travel suspension and commanding ergonomics help, but it is also the tallest and heaviest bike on your list.

Take a test ride of all three to see which one fits your needs the best.

Some options you can consider are the TVS Apache RTR 310, KTM 390 Duke, Triumph Speed 400 and Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. The Triumph and Royal Enfield aren't as overly sporty as the other two and will have a more effortless riding experience owing to their torque delivery, which is earlier in the rev band. 

The KTM 390 Duke is a proven product when it comes to sheer speed, but in its latest avatar has become quite compact, which may not be the best thing if you are a larger person. 

Last but not least, the TVS Apache RTR 310 has great handling and reasonable performance. We would recommend getting the variant with the quickshifter on the TVS as that offers the best value for your money. 

Take a test ride of everything you're considering before you decide. 

Both the bikes you have mentioned will fit the bill for your use case. However, both the Triumph Scrambler 400 X and the TVS Apache RTX 300 have tall seat heights (830mm or more), and for a new rider of your stature, they could feel like a little too much, especially at slow speeds and during off-roading. We would strongly recommend a test ride of both before you decide to go ahead with your purchase. 

If these two prove to be too tall for you, something more street-biased (and crucially, lower) like the Triumph Speed 400 or Apache RTR 310 from these respective brands would be a good fit. 

Both options you have shortlisted are lovely city ones, but have very different characters. The Triumph Speed 400 - while it has a neo-retro aesthetic - is quite a quick machine, but its performance doesn't come at the expense of real-world usability. 

The Honda CB350RS - while it may look the most modern of the three CB350 models - has a relaxed, laidback riding experience. 

We recommend taking a test ride of both bikes back to back and seeing which one you like more before you decide. 

The Triumph Speed 400 is ideal for city riding needs, thanks to its smooth, tractable engine. It is lightweight, easily manageable in traffic, and also the most affordable option from this lot of motorcycles. The KTM 390 Duke offers more aggressive performance, sharper handling and has more features, but the ride quality is on the stiffer side to keep in tune with its sporty nature. 

The Kawasaki Ninja 300, the only twin-cylinder motorcycle on your list, has been around for a long time and hasn't received any modern updates. The cost of servicing and spare parts of Kawasaki is also on the higher side. We still suggest you take a test ride of all three bikes to see which one suits you best.

The Triumph Speed 400 is built entirely by Bajaj, which means its spare parts are easy to find and light on the pocket. 

We’d also suggest checking out the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450. It offers similar performance and running costs, and you might find it a great fit for your riding style too.