15 Bajaj Discover 100 DTS-Si: Review

Review of the Bajaj Discover 100 DTS-Si..

If one has kept a tab on the motorcycle industry of India for the last 2 years, or if one has noticed the kind of motorcycles that have appeared on our roads during the same period, it would be quite obvious that the Bajaj Discover has been a big success story.

When the Discover 100 was launched in July 2009, not many gave it much of a chance, stating that it’s probably another one of Rajiv Bajaj’s (MD Bajaj Auto) experiments. Some couldn’t digest the 135 cc Discover becoming a 100 cc. And later when a 150 cc avatar of the Discover was launched, naysayers again scoffed at the idea of a 150 cc Discover.

Positives:

+ Light weight
+ Smooth & Snatch free engine
+ Good handling
+ 5 Speed gearox, DC Lighting

Negatives

- Texture of the Plastic on speedometer
- Drum brakes

Only in hindsight can one comment on whether a strategy was right or wrong. After almost 2 years the ubiquitous sight of Discover models on our roads have proved that Mr. Bajaj has got the strategy with the Discover spot on. Not only did the success of the Discover mean the end of the sales slump that Bajaj had witnessed in 2008-2009 (which had started with the global recession), but in a very short span the Discover brand has become a formidable brand along with the world’s largest selling motorcycle brand, the Hero Honda Splendor..!!

The Discover 100 wasn’t/isn’t priced lower than the Splendor. In fact it is priced at par with the Splendor. Even then, the Discover 100 has been consistently selling like hot cakes. That only means one thing, that the Discover is selling on its merit and that it must be a good bike.

So how good and improved is the Discover 100 compared to the earlier 100 cc models (CT100, Caliber, Boxer, Platina) from Bajaj? I take a test ride to find out..

26 What is Antilock Braking System (ABS) in Simple English

Simple explanation of how ABS works on motorcycles. Also India is about to get ABS equipped motorcycles soon and why one should opt for it..

A personal (scary) experience:

It was back in 1999. I was riding my CBZ and was behind a bus. Suddenly the bus took a sharp left turn which took me by surprise as I was concentrating on the bus in front of me and wasn’t really focusing on the road. I was not prepared for the sharp left turn. As a result, I suddenly found myself off the road on a gravel surface. I was sure to crash in a couple of seconds, least I was successful in steering the motorcycle slowly towards the left turn..!!

Since there are only two wheels to balance, ride and brake, a motorcycle is always vulnerable to losing control..

But that was easier said that done. As I hit my rear brakes (didn’t engage the front brake as I was in a turn) to reduce my speed, I could sense the rear wheel losing grip on the grfavel surface. Instinctively I released the pressure on the rear brakes just enough to regain some grip on the loose surface. But then I again had to reduce my speed and make the left turn, so I had to put pressure on the rear brake moments later.

This whole scary episode must have lasted for 2-3 seconds at most but let me tell you it was terrifying. I had modulated my rear brakes by applying and releasing pressure and thereby remained in control of my bike and saved my skin and my pillion friend (oh sorry, I forgot to tell about him in the beginning) as well.

The above experience demonstrates the need for an ABS system for motorcycles as the process of applying and releasing pressure on the brakes is done automatically by the ABS during times of panic braking..!!


What is ABS?

15 New Motorcycle Launches in 2011 for India

A look at the motorcycles that would/could make it into India in 2011..

KTM 200 Duke, Pulsar 250, CBR250R, new KarizmaR, new R15 or the Mojo..??

Which one would you really want?

After 3 years of owning my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, its probably time for me to start thinking of upgrading/changing to a new motorcycle.

But then I am not very sure if 2011 would be the year where I might get myself a brand new ride. A lot depends on what kind of motorcycles makes it into India this year. Anyway here is a (wish) list of the motorcycles that would/could get launched in India in 2011.

Foreword: I have consiously limited the list to motorcycles with price tag upto Rs. 2 lakh (200,000); because that's the max that my current finances allow me to dream upto.

1. KTM 200 Duke

Speculated Specs: Single cylinder, Liquid cooled, Fuel injected, 200 cc, 4 Valve engine, 24 Ps Peak Power, 130 Kg Kerb weight

Speculated Price: 1.2 – 1.5 lakhs

Speculated Launch Date: End of 2011

0 Jan 2011 - Dec 2011: 2 Wheeler Sales

2011 Monthly Sales Numbers of 2 wheeler manufacturers of India..

• Feb 2011, 2 Wheeler Sales India



• Jan 2011, 2 Wheeler Sales India

Disclaimer:

This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.

1 Dec 2010, 2 Wheeler Sales India

Dec 2010 sales numbers of our Indian 2 wheeler manufacturers..

Traditionally the month of Dec has lower sales due to the fact that most Indians prefer their new vehicle to be registered in the new year (as one registered in Dec is considered one year older than one registered one month later in Jan).

Despite this, the positive growth story continues for all manufacturers, with Hero Honda leading the pack with an unbelievable half million (5 lakhs) sales in Dec 2010..!!

Note: The monthly sales figures include:

1. Domestic sales as well as exports and also

2. Sales of all types of 2 wheelers (Motorcycles, Scooters, Mopeds etc.)