The Hindu Business Line : Exploring the new Discover

THE wants of the 125cc segment biker is as yet slightly nebulous . He is difficult to please, because he expects fancy styling and detailing, and considerably higher power and comfort than the 100-ccers, even as he looks for fuel efficiency that matches, or even exceeds, bikes in the smaller-engine category.

The same observation can be made of those looking at the 100cc+ category too. After all, why would someone who is essentially fuel-efficiency conscious want to buy a 110cc or 115cc class bike which looks and feels like an entry-level vehicle and, worse, offers lower fuel efficiency.

But there could well be a gold mine if a manufacturer develops a bike that can offer both the positives — the power of an exe-commuter bike and the fuel efficiency of an entry-level one.

Bajaj just might have managed to do that with the new Discover. This identical looking, smaller engined, non-DTS-i sibling of the original could rake in the moolah for Bajaj.

Bajaj Auto's Discover DTS-i has managed to quickly climb the 125cc, premium exe-commuter segment's pecking order. It is clearly the most visible on the roads and one of the best designed bikes in its class.

But in terms of volumes, Bajaj still depends on the CT100, its entry-level bike, and the Pulsar, the largest selling premium (150cc+) bike in the country. So, the new Discover could neatly fit into Bajaj's scheme of cornering a larger share of the low-end bike market, where Hero Honda continues to be the king.

Though the new Discover is indistinguishable from its larger counterpart, there are a number of changes. The more obvious ones are the smaller engine and the absence of an electric/self-start option. The less obvious ones are the thinner telescopic front forks, the single down-tube chassis (compared to the 125cc Discover DTS-i's double-cradle tubular type chassis).

These and other features such as the carrying forward of 17-inch alloy wheels to the new bike too have managed to lighten the load, quite literally, on the new 112cc Discover, making its kerb weight a mere 117 kg, a full 8 kg lighter than the kick-start version of the original Discover DTS-i.

The rectangular swing arms have, however, been carried forward as have all the other dimensions of the original Discover. So, buyers can expect the same large 1,305mm wheelbase, which clubbed with the lighter, yet stiffer chassis should be able to offer the same stability and cornering abilities as the larger-engined predecessor.

To retain the same image of premiumness, but at the same time offer buyers who are graduating from the entry-level segment the feel and ride position of a bike in that category, Bajaj has raised the handle bar position (compared to the original Discover DTS-i's flatter profile). So, the new Discover offers a more upright riding posture. Instruments, laid out in a twin-pod format within the bikini fairing, include a speedo with tripmeter and a fuel gauge.

The new Discover rear suspension set-up is the same spring-in-spring (SNS) type. Bar-end weights have also been carried forward, to efficiently perform the job of taking away vibrations from the rider's handgrips. Rubber engine mounts considerably cushion the vibration transfer from the mill to the chassis.

The new 111.63cc engine — the CT100 block reworked to offer a slightly larger dimension — is capable of putting out a maximum power of 8.5 PS at 7,500 rpm. This smaller engine's peak power matches those of Hero Honda's Splendor and Passion Plus. The leaner dimension of the engine in the new Discover leaves the engine area less cluttered and though it does not carry forward the digital twin-spark ignition technology from the original Discover, it does continue to feature Bajaj's patented ExhausTEC resonator technology for increased low-end torque, which finally pays off also in terms of better mileage.

This 112cc-engine's peak power is also a full 3PS less than the Discover DTS-i, which has a bigger engine; but the peak torque of 9.37 Nm kicks in at a lower 4,500 pm. The engine will feel underpowered for somebody who is used to the more brawny 125cc mill. But for the average entry-level bike buyer this should feel strong enough. The 112cc engine also accelerates quickly, but power starts tapering off at around 60 kmph.

Transmission continues to be through the same four-speed gearbox. Bajaj also seems to have done considerable work on the gearbox. False neutrals are almost non-existent and gear changes are smoother.

The new Discover's 112cc engine combined with the ExhausTEC technology will be able to offer entry-level style fuel efficiency of 60 kmpl to 70 kmpl depending on road conditions and driving style.

It is clear that the new Discover with its smaller engine is targeted primarily at the entry-level bike buyer, who is also slightly image and style conscious. Priced at about Rs 43,500 (on-road), the new Discover is value for money considering the kind of big bike features that it offers.

If it can consistently deliver on its fuel efficiency promise, the new Discover will prove to be tough competition even for entry-level bikes and could well turn out to be the model that brings in the big volumes for Bajaj Auto.

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