New Discover k7 112cc-Updated Review after 1 month usage
After one month of usage, I’ve these remarks to add:
Performance:Max Speed: 86kmph.
Mileage: city:75kmpl with Ride Control Switch ON,
I went for long drive on this to Bangalore from Chennai and back (360kms each) and during the same got a relatively poor Highway mileage of 60kmpl with Ride Control Switch OFF, most probably because I drove at maximum possible speed for most of the journey. I strongly believe the pricol odometers are manipulated to show more kms than actual run.On my trip to bangalore, I kept comparing odometer readings with the distance boards (Bangalore ’X’ kms) put by National Highway Authority of India. My odometer was registering more kms than the distance I covered according to signboards.Officially The distance between Bangalore and Chennai is 334 kms. But my vehicle registered 362 kms between the 2 cities-even after deducting 10-15 kms for inside city ride, that’s 5% more than actuals. I think the odometers are actually adjusted to show more kms so that users will think they’re getting more mileage.
Overall performance was good.
Other remarks:
If alloy wheels were what tempted you, LML CRT 100 has alloy wheels too, at entry level category.
Bajaj has dropped CT100 prices considerably, while the price drop in Discover 112 is negligible, increasing the cost difference between the two.
Compared to discover, TVS Victor has a metal frame for indicator and is less succeptible to damages.
The fuel gauge in my Discover stopped working on day3. I got it fixed in fist service, but still there’s hardly any relevance to the quantity shown by the gauge to actual fuel in tank as the guauge fluctuates between 2 extremes at its own fancy.
The cold start problem I had in earlier days has been rectified.
A sense of unsteadiness I feel while taking turns at moderate/high speed has been forcing me to take larger turn radius.
End of Updated Review---Original Review Begins
When I decided to buy a bike, I was tempted by the premier segment bikes like Pulsar, Unicorn and Apache, however, low cost of ownership and low operating cost (read mileage) was my primary concern and forced me to resist my temptation against 150cc bikes.
Once I decided on executive segment (110cc), my options were Victor GX, LML Freedom, Yamaha Libero, and Bajaj Discover 112 cc.
I didn’t consider LML and Yamaha models for their lesser popularity, poor dealer network and for the fact that their bike had nothing special to make it worth considering against Victor or Discover.
Before I proceed I’ll point out the difference between Discover DTSi 125cc and Discover k7 112cc.
If you thought the difference is only in engine capacity, you’re wrong.
The other differences between the 125cc and 112 cc Discover are:
The 112 cc version has no DTSi engine. Its engine seems to be a slightly improved variant of CT100 Engine
No electric start option in 112 cc version.
125 cc Version has double cradle tubular frame while the 112 cc version is mounted on single tubular frame.
Unless you observe very keenly, it’s very difficult to identify if the bike is 125cc or 112 cc. One and only one way of distinguish is to look for term “DTSi “on the 125cc version, or “ExhasuTEC” on 112 cc version, below the engine.
Coming back, Discover 112 cc is the best bet in 110 cc categories for following reasons.
Alloy wheels
Handlebar balancers
Trip meter
Better mileage (promised, yet to be verified)
Twin City Lights
SnS Suspension
Ride Control Switch (a rough equivalent of Power and Economy mode in TVS Victor)
Sporty Silencer
Great Looks.
Day Flasher
Alloy wheels, Handlebar balancers, Trip meters, and twin lights are not offered by any other bike manufacturer in 110cc category.
It’s priced competitively at par with other vehicles in 110cc category. With all the features on offer, it should be a steal at Rs. 43585 (On Road Chennai).
What is ride control switch?
It is a simple mechanical switch that adds extra resistance to the throttle. If it’s Turned ON, the extra resistance on accelerator makes it uneasy to speed up and forces to travel at low speed. The purpose is to ensure proper speed range for proper gear. And company claims this will increase economy, I hope it will.
However, TVS Victor GX has following advantages over Discover.
Victor GX tyres are bigger, wider and offer slightly better grip and control.
Victor has been in market for quite sometime. Its reliability and performance are proven, and will fetch better resale value.
Victor has all gear start ability.
While background of speedometer console is more attractive, so is dual color mirror.
Bajaj is yet to implement concepts of dual colour/body colour mirrors, white background console in its bikes. Also bajaj should have considered self start option for Discover 112 variant also.
Getting a good resale value for this bike will not be a problem if it matches the performance and reliability of Calliber and Victor.
In the first few days of my ownership, I’m facing cold start problem. It takes minimum 6-8 kicks for the first start of the day and the tendency of the engine to go off is very high during first few kms.
As I said in the beginning, I’ll update this review after one month to give better inputs on the performance, mileage (101 kmpl under standard test conditions and 75 kmpl on road as promised by showroom people, actual value yet to be acertained) and other aspects.