I bought a bajaj discover electric start version on September 7th. It was the one which sported new design, sns suspension and mag wheels. I bought a red one with silver graphics on it. It looks gorgeous on road .I had expected a front disc brakes but they supplied drum brakes. On enquiring, I was told that previously 110mm diameter disc brakes were used but now the made it a 130mm diameter drum brakes and the braking would be more or less the same. I did quite lot of research before buying this one. The day (7th Sep) I took delivery was a very significant one.
It was ganesh chadurthi
Petrol price increase of Rs 3.33 was effected tat day (now it is Rs49.19, wonder if the prices would touch Rs 100/litre within 5 yrs if it soars at this rate)
Back to the product review,
The most deciding factors which are considered while buying a bike are
Style
Fuel economy
Performance
Style:
-> A 125 cc bike with mag wheels - the only bike with alloys in the 125cc category.
-> calling it a mini pulsar would not be fair enough. It has its own muscular styling with a lean body.
-> Optoprism halogen head lights and also has pilot lamps -The older version of this bike did not have halogen lamps, which has now been included. Though many people complain about the light quality, but I felt the headlight was more than enough, though it’s a 35 watt one, the beam quality is good. Other bikes have the ordinary bulb in headlights whereas the discover has a halogen bulb (halogen gives more output for the same power supplied to it). The beam diverges around the bike and also illuminates the road 10 meters ahead of the bike. So the headlight is no problem for this bike. Personal opinion: the shape of the head light could have been better than the present semi circular shape.
-> The tail lamp is the best on any Indian bike in terms of looks. It’s a free flow (extension) of the bike's body. The tail (grab rail) has been changed to black for all color models. Personally I felt silver grab rail would have looked better on the silver graphics. But that can be changed by the dealer himself and can be replaced with a pulsar's rail.
->THE wheels: the best change has been the wheel. 17 inch alloys has been used rather than the 18'' one. The 18'' would have made the bike look skinny. Now with the 17'' the wheel looks just perfect and the alloys can make even a CT 100 look like a mean machine.
With the style of the bike, there are no complains. Bajaj engineers have done their work very well. It can be easily said to be the best designed bike in the 125cc segment.
Fuel economy:
This is the most important part, an Indian will look for. I have done just 250kms with my bike and since it’s the run-in period, cannot expect it to give very nice figures. Still it gave me around 55 kmpl , out of the 250 kms 120km was done on highway with average speed of 50-55 and the rest on city road normally at 40kmph.
Note: the manual says to drive within 55kmph for first 1500kms
About the fuel saving features:
-> Ride control switch: a blue switch is provided on the right hand side, can be toggled between performance and fuel efficiency. I never felt the difference with the switch on/off. Though the bajaj guys say that the switch, when in on position, hardens the throttle opening after the 50kmph speed. Thus making you aware of the optimal speed for maximum fuel efficiency. Since I never did more than 55, cannot comment much on this feature.
-> Bajaj has made use of many technologies like DTS-I, exhaust-Tec........ which solely server the purpose of fuel saving.
Since the run-in period of the bike would decide the individual fuel efficiency of the bike, I have been within limits and hence cannot give much indications of the fuel efficiency, but a 55kmpl during run-in period indicates a 60-65kmpl later on.
Performance:
125cc bikes are the best for people who want mileage of 100cc bikes and the power of 150 cc bikes with minimum compromises. Since the engine technology is very much same to the pulsar, the only difference is the 25cc extra in the combustion chamber of the pulsar.
-> Electric start: for the lazy guys like me. But is really a handy in signals.
-> Suspension: the longest suspension in its class with sns, hydraulic shocks....... importantly does not let u feel u have been over a bumper. Its suspension works really well. Perfect for the back ache guys. I do 60km/day and feel minimum tiredness but no aches. This bike is perfect for long rides.
->brakes: 130mm diameter drum on both wheels. Good braking power. Though foot brake is sufficient, but I use both the brakes, which is more efficient way of braking...
-> Tyres: nothing much to say. has a good grip on road, even on rainy days, the only problem on rainy days will be the mud which get splashed on the lower parts of the bike(for all bikes).
-> Front panel: this bike has a great switch panel,
Indicators: hi beam indicator, turn signals, neutral indicator.
Meters:
Speedometer and a fuel level indicator
An rpm meter should have been providing.
Left side switch gear:
Dipper switch, turn signal, and horn, pass switch: for flashing the head light
Right side:
3 point head light switch: off -> pilot lamps -> pilot+head light
Electric starter
Ride control switch
The pick up of the bike is great to move ahead of the traffic at signals. Press the start button, press toe to shift into first gear and get moving. The bike moves smoothly. Exhaust note is the typical DTSi throaty rumble, very healthy and pleasing. Gear shifting is quite slick, with no notchy-ness or any other impediment. To save on petrol, one can quickly shift to top (fourth) gear by the time bike attains a road speed of 25 kmpH and then continue in top gear at 25 kmpH or just gradually turn the throttle to increase speed without the need to shift to lower gear.
Finally, the overall package of this bike is excellent. Best value for money.
Heard many people say bike is not suitable for people taller than 5’9’’, don’t know y?
I am 5'11'' and find no problems with the bike or seating position. Saddle height is 77cm which is a slight lower, wind 125 has 80cm saddle, but a few centimeters do not have any major importance.
UPDATE
EDIT: I have completed 2000 kms and also finsished my first service. The bike has given me absolutely no problems.it has been a delight riding it. I drive around 65kms whenever I go to college. I never had back pain during the rides. as for fuel efficiency
travelling at 50-55kmph on a highway gives me 65kmpl
travelling on highway at 70+ speeds(on average 70-80kmph) it gives around 60 kmpl
travelling on city traffic(heavy traffic, avg speed 20kmph with hundreds of braking) gives me 60kmpl.
UPDATE:
have already done more thn 4000kms . now rough using it. normally driving at 70+ speeds on highways and at 60 in city with many breakings. and still the bike gives me efficiency of around 55kmph.
con: more power wuld been better. sumtimes after driving 25kms at a strech, its acceleration tends to decrease. also wen doing above city, the bike gives sum resistance, though tats not even a minor problem, if u increase the throttle, the bike wuld respond. A fifth gear wuld hav made it even better
