I was to decide on buying a new bike and my requirement (in the present economic scenario ;) ) was mileage and decent power and my range was for bike price was 40-50 thousand. So naturally the only ones that fit my criteria was Bajaj’s XCD and Plantina 125 CC (new). I had decided to buy the new Platina model until I took a look at XCD. The looks of XCD was much better and on enquiring was told that the features are the same as Plantina except the meter being digital. So was immensely happy to see XCD (as I wasnt totally impressed with Platina looks) which was only 3000 more than Platina. But again got to my table and got my senses together to give it a last thought and was faced with the below questions -
i. Why was Bajaj releasing a new model by name Platina 125 if the features were the same as XCD???
ii. Why do I not see many XCDs in Bajaj showrooms anywhere and I see more of Platina 125 being promoted?
So got back to the showrooms wtih these questions and was shocked to hear the below answers
i. XCD seems to have serious problems with its silencer. Besides this the height of XCD is considerably lower and when going on doubles, the bike suffers and creates a lot of noise. These things I hear have been corrected and relaunched as Platina 125 as Platina 100 was a more successful model and Bajaj didnot want the name of XCD being used in the market again.
ii. Also hear that XCD production is being stopped. Though I donot have conclusive reports on this.