fleming
01-05-2009, 07:09 AM
It all Started about a year back with the Bajaj XCD125 that aimed to change the face of entry level bike segment completely. Besides offering 100cc fuel efficiency, 125cc performance and 150cc features for the price of an executive 100cc bike, it also forced every other manufacturer to rethink strategies for this under-exploited segment, that had always been looked at as a compromise between 100s and 150s. The segment this year saw a lot of action with four launches so far, consideringthe revised Yamaha Gladiator and Bajaj Discover 135 along with the new TVS Flame and Honda CBF Stunner. The fifth comes in the form of Platina 125 from Bajaj.
Following the typical Bajaj approach of branching out variants of its already exist- ing brands, the Platina gets a heart transplant from the XCD, making it the cheapest 125 you can buy in the market today. This also is a bit unexpected as the sporty silhouette of the XCD Sprint from the Auto Expo '0 is still fresh in the back of my mind.
The bike's only distinguishing feature is the black theme that extends from the front forks and alloys to the engine and exhaust, lending the bike upmarket appeal. The slightly upswept, tapered exhaust immediately shows
the XCD connection. The front fairing now houses two pilot lamps on either side, absent on the 100cc bike. The rest of the bike remains the same and the graphics too are similar to its smaller engined sibling's. The Platina 125 also gets an electric starter as standard.
The cycle parts too remain identical, the front telescopic forks and the
SNS shockers endowing it with a supple ride. The ergos are very commuter like, with the flat seat and tall handlebars accounting for an upright seating position that commuters will surely appreciate at the end of long haul days. The Platinp. is pretty nimble in city traffic but is not really a fun tool beyond city limits. The front end doesn't feel planted at high speeds and there's not enough communication through the steering to boost confidence in its cornering abilities. Nevertheless, it stays a humble commuter for the tribe that spends hours rushing between their clients all over the city.
462
What sets it apart is the new engine. The 124.58cc DTS-Si (Digital Twin Spark-Swirl induction) mill has been lifted straight off the XCD and is in the same state of tune producing 9.6PS of power at 7000rpm and 1O.7Nm of torque at 5000rpm. Sporting the swirl induction technology, the engine transforms the performance of the bike while keeping a check on the fuel efficiency. The engine incorporates offset valves that impart a swirl motion to the air-fuel mixture entering the combustion chamber.
This swirl generates turbulence while being compressed, leading to a more homogeneous mixture that results in better combustion. The two spark plugs are placed closer to the valves as opposed to the regular centre position to aid the cause and generate a more uniform flame front. This not only helps extract better performance but also squeeze out more kilometres out of every drop of fuel. As per test figures, the bike takes 6.8 seconds for a 0-60kmph dash while 80kmph comes in at 13.3 seconds, making it faster than 100cc bikes by a fair margin. The top speed I got was 91.6kmph. The engine feels very smooth and revs willingly without any vibrations. There is decent mid range to potter arou nd the city but the top end is not very impressive. The Platina 125 is not an out and out performer but an unstressed commuter that can ferry one briskly without fuss. The gears are well sorted and slot perfectlywith a positive feel; I encountered no false neutrals during my stint on the bike.
Following the typical Bajaj approach of branching out variants of its already exist- ing brands, the Platina gets a heart transplant from the XCD, making it the cheapest 125 you can buy in the market today. This also is a bit unexpected as the sporty silhouette of the XCD Sprint from the Auto Expo '0 is still fresh in the back of my mind.
The bike's only distinguishing feature is the black theme that extends from the front forks and alloys to the engine and exhaust, lending the bike upmarket appeal. The slightly upswept, tapered exhaust immediately shows
the XCD connection. The front fairing now houses two pilot lamps on either side, absent on the 100cc bike. The rest of the bike remains the same and the graphics too are similar to its smaller engined sibling's. The Platina 125 also gets an electric starter as standard.
The cycle parts too remain identical, the front telescopic forks and the
SNS shockers endowing it with a supple ride. The ergos are very commuter like, with the flat seat and tall handlebars accounting for an upright seating position that commuters will surely appreciate at the end of long haul days. The Platinp. is pretty nimble in city traffic but is not really a fun tool beyond city limits. The front end doesn't feel planted at high speeds and there's not enough communication through the steering to boost confidence in its cornering abilities. Nevertheless, it stays a humble commuter for the tribe that spends hours rushing between their clients all over the city.
462
What sets it apart is the new engine. The 124.58cc DTS-Si (Digital Twin Spark-Swirl induction) mill has been lifted straight off the XCD and is in the same state of tune producing 9.6PS of power at 7000rpm and 1O.7Nm of torque at 5000rpm. Sporting the swirl induction technology, the engine transforms the performance of the bike while keeping a check on the fuel efficiency. The engine incorporates offset valves that impart a swirl motion to the air-fuel mixture entering the combustion chamber.
This swirl generates turbulence while being compressed, leading to a more homogeneous mixture that results in better combustion. The two spark plugs are placed closer to the valves as opposed to the regular centre position to aid the cause and generate a more uniform flame front. This not only helps extract better performance but also squeeze out more kilometres out of every drop of fuel. As per test figures, the bike takes 6.8 seconds for a 0-60kmph dash while 80kmph comes in at 13.3 seconds, making it faster than 100cc bikes by a fair margin. The top speed I got was 91.6kmph. The engine feels very smooth and revs willingly without any vibrations. There is decent mid range to potter arou nd the city but the top end is not very impressive. The Platina 125 is not an out and out performer but an unstressed commuter that can ferry one briskly without fuss. The gears are well sorted and slot perfectlywith a positive feel; I encountered no false neutrals during my stint on the bike.