I am not deep into technicalities of a bike. I am still learning about them, . If I make mistake, kindly ignore and don’t bother to chide me ;)
EXPERIENCE:
Bajaj revamped XCD 125 cc by launching a premier upgrade to 135 segments where it’s been challenged by its own herd member, Discover 135! My elder brother required a bike suitable for his commuting segment. He was in a toss between Discover and XCD last year out of which, after few permutations & combinations, I chose XCD 135 over Discover 135. And the reason was all styling, only styling. Though when Bajaj launched this bike with famous two-sisters-fighting ad, I wasn’t impressed at all, moreover when I saw it from a distance in Bajaj showroom, it clicked me as yet another hyped marvel from Bajaj. But the day I actually went to drive it and taste it, I concluded with XCD in our parking premises.
The styling clicked me at first, sharp tail lights, oval indicators, broader rear tyre and side fairing was something that hovered over my mind while choosing the looks in between two! Now it came to test drive!
As I had already ridden 135 Discover and was impressed by the peaks it scales calmly, I was a bit worried about XCD’s capability about the same. I sat on it, started it with electric starter and it came to life in one push. Initial throttle was great thanks to XhaustTEC, but not like Discover, the thing is that the higher BHP in Discover makes any technical analyst think that in comparison to XCD 135 its ought to be powerful but Discover never lets you feel that you are riding 14 BHP and XCD never lets you feel that 3 BHP difference. Cornering was a charm to handle, for me XCD scored here because in Discover the weight distribution is a bit odd. Discover’s rear part was at it quibbling best when rode with high RPMs.
Flickability through traffic is its one of the traits, which sets it apart from all its counterparts! Though you can’t take vibrations into account as you know very well that above 60-70 km/h, any bike would vibrate like tractor, especially if it’s coming from 135cc segment! You want to cut vibrations, settle for a high-end Pulsar 180 or 220 or ZMA! Fuel mileage is essentially what a commuter wants and it never deprived us anything less than 60, that too if ripped all day long!
Though there are some common hiccups, if noticed closely. The rear body chassis tends to produce a sound which you can only hear while driving it, that too when driving less than 30-40, thereby you are sure that you can’t detect it, but have to live with it. Its electric starter like any other bike gets raunchy in the morning and refrains you from riding it and you have to exercise and kick start the bike. The trick is that turn it on for 10-15 seconds before actually letting the bike to come in life and then push the starter, it has always worked for me.
Its horn is pretty feeble. It’s ok in streets, but on wide road, even you can’t hear it properly. And the most of all, Bajaj SS sucks big time, it would be better if they start a mechanic training workshops rather than opening up SS with untrained mechanics, manoeuvring and ridiculing the bike the way they want, until unless you aren’t watching them.
One tip of advice, no matter whichever brand’s SS you may opt for, never leave your bike alone, if you love it, I mean it really. Also don’t refrain from tipping SS employees if it’s in health and brings good omen for your bike!