For an entry-level bike, the CT100 isn’t particularly cheap, but yet, that’s what the bike feels like. On paying Rs.40 000, what you get is a set of wheels on a tubular chasis frame, with what is supposed to be an 8.2bhp engine. Now that doesnt sound too bad, and I didnt think it was bad either - until I rode it.
For a bike that weighs only 100kgs, an 8.2bhp engine should give you quite a bit of power. But it does not: the engine has surprisingly poor performance, and acceleration is a non-existent feature in this bike. On the other hand, the implication of the low weight is that stability on the road is very poor. As I found out the hard way, minor fish tails magnify into major 180spins.
The tiny engine also has the annoying habit of heating up rather quickly during long distance drives - the engine is air cooled, and Bajaj Auto dont appear to have done enough airflow tests. The gear shift is certainly the most annoying thing about the bike - it is horrible. The clutch and gear coordination is very poor, and the gears get stuck frequently, especially at lower speeds. But a forceful kick, or vigorous shaking often solves that problem.
The light weight also means compromise on body frame, since at that price you dont exactly get carbon-fiber composites. At 55kmph, the vibration already starts tickling your feet [and I don’t have to say which other vehicle is famous for that]. Long distance riding is rather uncomfortable. During the some 300 odd kms that I rode on the bike, I found the rear double arm suspension to be too springy - each bump sends the rider up and down like a pogo seat!
The turning radius is a bit too large (unless you can execute tail spins) and the bike does have an annoying tendency of ’tripping over itself’ when you try a U turn (the front wheel stands perpendicular to the vehicle, causing it to flip downwards). Finally, the star claim of the bike: unbelievable mileage. Though not bad, it is nothing compared to what the company claims the vehicle gives: I found it to give approximately 78kmpl on the highway, and only 60kmpl in the city - a far cry from the hyped 90+. Other bikes such as the Centra seem to stick closer to their claims.
As far as Bajaj bikes are concerned, the CT 100 is very poor - neither does it have the panache of other bikes such as the Pulsar (which, incidentally, also gives 58kmpl in the city - at least, the 12bhp version does), nor does it make up for it in fuel economy and comfort. As an improved successor to the Bajaj Byk, the CT 100 is much, much better. But then, that’s not saying much, after all.