Hi all, I and my brother used to share our bikes. Our previous bikes are Yezdi classic & roadster, RE Bullet 350(1981 model), yamaha RX 100 & RD 350, bajab platina, hero honda splender, discover 100, Yamaha FZ and SZ-R. I commute 100+100km long rides on weekends on highways and 30+ km daily in city. My earlier 100 cc bikes were not able to bear the strain and used to heat up during long rides so wanted to upgrade to 150 cc with good mileage(Fuel price rising on monthly basis). I bought this bike(self/alloy/disc) on 07 Oct 2011. I have rode it about 550 Km(300 Kms in the stretches of 100 km each and rest in city conditions with alot of halt and picks). Will be going for first service on 15 Oct 2011.
LOOKS AND ERGONOMICS The bike lacks overuse of fancy plastic thats plus point. But nothing differenciates it from Discover 100 cc than rear tyre width -ve point. Regular commuter bike look but comfortable for long rides also. Seat, I feel, is a bit hard. During one of my three sorties of 100 kms I felt saddle sore, but no backache or straned shoulders.
MILEAGE Mileage I have not checked, will be checking it after first service. My top speed till now is only 50 km/h view run in period.
==GEAR BOX ==I was concerned about tuck and thud sound while shifting gear but tht was nothing more than loose clutch setting, was corrected by me just by tightening the clutch cable. Problem solved. Gear shifting is smooth and easy.
STABILITY AND BRAKING Bike is stable, however as I said I have not rode it at more than 50 kmph but still there was’nt any problem. But don’t compare with yamaha SZ or FZ. Brakes are sufficient to halt the bike within short distance. But again don’t compare with yamaha SZ or FZ. It stops in a respectable manner no skidding sidewise. Rear brake may be a concern, if applied(mildly also) alone even at slow speed porn to hold the wheel and may cause some beam skidding.However, Bike turns smoothly on curves.
==PERFORMANCE ==Pickup is good. Bike fares good in 1st gear 0-10 kmph, 2nd gear 10-20 kmph, 3rd gear 20-30 kmph, 4 gear 30-40 kmph, 5 gear above 40-50kmph.(Thats keeping in mind not to cross 3500 rpm barrier for run in period). Bike have enough torque to cruise on 25 kmph in 5th gear easily, and picks up farelly well to higher speeds. Engine do not heat up both during long rides on highways and short stints with a lot of halt and picks in city conditions.
MAINTAINENCE It is a low maintainence bike, only 3 free and 4 paid services suggested by bajaj for first 30, 000 km(warranty period)
I will update my post after I complete its run in period and check what all it can provide in terms of performance and mileage.