My greetings to one and all, feels good to be back after almost a year. Now this one is not a specific product review, but my intension is to provide all with the maximum information on a single platform. Well I hope I will do justice to it and also hope to help new buyers in their decision-making.
I have focused on the most happening bike segment. …. Yes, you guessed it right! The 125cc.There are many manufacturers and models available in the market, but because of the space limitation. I have chosen the most popular ones. I have not considered Hero Honda Glamour Fi here because of the price difference, which is almost 10k more than any other bike in this category. In Pune Glamour Fi (Disc Brake + Self Start) costs you almost 59.5 K. on road.
Most of the data I have gathered here from their respective product brochures. Your thoughts, suggestions and comments are most welcome.
Model: Bajaj Discover 125 DTSi
Engine: 4 Stroke, Natural Air Cooled
Displacement (CC): 124.52
Max Net Power: 11.51 bhp @8000 rpm
Max Net Torque: 10.8 nm @ 6500 rpm
Transmission: 4 Speed, Constant Mesh, (All Down)
Starting System: Kick Start / Self Start
Mileage in Kmpl (Company Claims): 65 - 68
Fuel Tank Capacity: 10 Ltrs. (2.3 ltrs for Reserve)
Front Brake: Drum Type 130mm Dia.
Wheel Base: 1305 mm
Height (mm): 1065
Head Lamp: 12V 35 / 35 W Optoprism - Halogen Lamp
On Road Price (Rs.): **47, 815/-
Model: Honda Shine
Engine: 4 Stroke, OHC Single Cylinder, Air Cooled
Displacement (CC): 124.6
Max Net Power: 10.3 bhp @ 7500 rpm
Max Net Torque: 10.9 nm @ 5500 rpm
Transmission: 4 Speed Constant Mesh (All Up)
Starting System: Kick Start
Mileage in Kmpl (Company Claims): 62 - 65
Fuel Tank Capacity: 11 Ltrs.
Front Brake: 240 mm Disc, 130 mm Drum
Wheel Base: 1265 mm
Height (mm): 1070
Head Lamp: 12V 35 / 35 W
On Road Price (Rs.): **49, 454/-
Model: Suzuki Zeus
Engine: 4 Stroke, Air-Cooled, OHC
Displacement (CC): 124 cm3
Max Net Power: 8.74 bhp @ 7000 rpm
Max Net Torque: 10.2 nm @ 3400 rpm
Transmission: 5 Speed, Constant Mesh (1 Down, 4 Up)
Starting System: Kick Start
Mileage in Kmpl (Company Claims): 62 - 68
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12 Ltrs. (2.1 ltrs for Reserve)
Front Brake: Drum Type 130mm Dia.
Wheel Base: 1240 mm
Height (mm): 1085
Head Lamp: 12V 35 / 35 W
On Road Price (Rs.): **49, 798/-
Model: Yamaha Gladiator
Engine: 4 Stroke SOHC Single Cylinder Air Cooled,
Displacement (CC): 123.7
Max Net Power: 10.8 bhp @ 7, 500 rpm
Max Net Torque: 10.4 nm @ 6, 500 rpm
Transmission: 5 Speed, Constant Mesh (1 Down, 4 Up)
Starting System: Kick Start / Self Start
Mileage in Kmpl (Company Claims): 62 - 67
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13 Ltrs.
Front Brake: Drum Type / Disc Type
Wheel Base: 1300 mm
Height (mm): 1100
Head Lamp: 12v 35/35 W Halogen Lamp
On Road Price (Rs.): **50, 501/-
* Prices may vary city to city.
My thoughts about these bikes,
*Bajaj Discover DTSi 125cc
*Pros: Very nice and sleek looking bike with good pick-up (Initial torque), decent mileage (If rode properly) and alloy (mag) Wheels.
Cons: Noisy gear box (Users say). Even I have the same opinion about the gearbox, Bajaj needs to work on it very seriously. If the brand new bikes are facing gearbox problem, how can you rely on it in long run?? No disc brakes.
My Overall Rating: 7.5 out of 10
Honda Shine*
Pros: Very comfortable seating position, you get front disc brake, you get (Indian) Honda reliability for the engine. No puncture worries since you get Tuff-up tube, which reduces 70% chances of getting puncture as company claims.
Cons: Fifth gear will be missed dearly, Initial pick-up is awesome, but as soon you reach at 4th gear, it starts crying, Don’t even think of speeding at 110 Km/h or more, You face little vibrations at 4th gear. Looks? No way, not at all a stylish bike.
My Overall Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Suzuki Zeus:*
Pros: The Smoothest engine in it’s Class, You can expect a pleasant ride. You get 5 Speed Gear Box, Very comfortable Position at least for me (5’, 7"). The best handling experience out of these four. Absolutely no vibrations.
Cons: Even if it is Suzuki, Zeus and Heat are the new comers, no one can say about their after sales service network at this point of time. No electric start, No alloy wheels.
My Overall Rating: 8.0 out of 10
Yamaha Gladiator*
Pros: I found the most comfortable and relax seating position. You get 5-Speed gearbox, you get disc brakes, and the self-start option. This bike got the best looks among all. Specifically I love the tailpiece and very smooth engine. You can feel its quality while riding, overall fit and finish is very good. Yamaha worked hard to retrieve their image in the market. If you see as whole package Gladiator is a good option.
Cons: Do not keep “Yamaha” image in mind, I mean to say it lacks in initial pick up, Considering Yamaha’s history in India, The only bike that we can say was really very successful as ‘RX100’. Also the spares are little-bit costly if we compare it with Bajaj. To be frank I do not have any idea about Yamaha’s after sales service.
My Overall Rating: 9.0 out of 10
Thanks all and hope this will help.
Regards,
Mandar