<p>Gone are the days, when customers of commuting bikes only questioned and researched the fuel economy of their prospective bikes before riding them home. The biking scene in the country has changed over the past half decade with the launch of performance-oriented bikes by various manufactures. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Having said that, it doesn’t mean that Indian commuters do not worry how much fuel their machines guzzle up anymore. But the bar has sure been raised these days. Now, the promise of a two-wheeler frame and good mileage are just about not enough to sell bikes on the market.<br /><br />Home grown auto major Bajaj understands this very well. The company has chosen its famous commuter bike, Discover, to serve a new segment of customers, who want performance and mileage biking at the same time.<br /><br />The 150-cc segment is the most sought after in the Indian auto market as it serves both need for speed and fuel economy. It would be fair to say that Bajaj engineers have upped the ante with their new series of Discover bikes.<br /><br />Bajaj has launched Discover 150 F and Discover 150 S at shockingly affordable prices in the particular segment, which actually makes these bikes impressive choices for various reasons.<br /><br />The Discover 150F styling sets the bike apart from its own tribe. It boasts of a quarter fairing, inspired by elder sibling Pulsar 220, and the graphics and instrumental panel add more muscle to the variant to take on the rivals of its class. <br /><br />Safe rides<br />The bike also comes with a 240 mm front disc and 130 mm drum brakes, coupled with wide tubeless MRF tyres for safe riding, a first for the Discover variant.<br /><br />Other uber features include a mono-shock with nitrox suspension and power specs like a new 145-cc four-valve DTS-i motor coupled with a five-speed gearboxes. <br />The entry level variant of Discover 150 S has simple styling and features drum brakes, both front and rear and optional front disc brakes (240 mm).<br /><br />The 150 F bike we test drove lets you know that it has been revived to give you a different experience from its siblings.<br /><br />The moment you jab the electric start, the engine jumps to life. The single cylinder 145-cc four-valve air-cooled and carburettor engine is supported by Bajaj’s twin spark technology. It produces maximum power of 14.5 hp @8500 rpm and a healthy maximum torque of 1.3 Kg-m @6500 (12.75 N-m). <br /><br />The bike has all upshifting five-speed gearboxes, which work pretty smooth and don’t ask for frequent gear shifting as it can put a decent performance on low speed.<br /><br />The drum brakes don’t inspire much of the rider’s confidence. As you realize that the rear brakes are not creating enough traction to prevent you from rear-ending another vehicle, the front disc brakes comes to the rescue. <br /><br />The drum-disc brake combination works quite well for the class. As far as riding quality goes, there is no specific qualm to speak of. The bike comes with a long seat, which helps the rider and passenger to not compromise on their comfort. <br />The ridging position is upright, assures easy negotiation of traffic and corners during riding in the city. <br /><br />It hit the top speed above 110 kmph but not without the vibrations creeping in. The engine is particularly tuned for commuting on city roads but doesn’t really limit the bike’s performance on the highway thanks to a revived 4-valve engine.<br /><br />The 4-valve technology of the Bajaj was introduced with its flagship Pulsar 200 NS, to ensure the health of the engine and gives it a firm low-speed performance and better acceleration experience. The looks also put the bike in the upmarket class. Verily impressive.<br /><br />So what makes Discover 150 F a better choice amongst the offerings from other manufactures and how does it stand up against in-house competition from the much-loved Pulsar 150 cc? <br /><br />Here, the Discover 150 F hits the sweet spot. It rides on two different planks serving the requirement of speed and without compromising on fuel efficiency. The maker’s promise of 72 km per litre by way of mileage is quite tempting, but you can expect the bike to give you anywhere between 55-60 kmpl. <br /><br />Besides, the pricing of the bike is so competitive and rather cheap for a 150 cc bike. Discover 150 F (Half Fairing) will be available at a price of Rs 60,073. Discover 150 S (Standard Fairing) comes with a price tag of Rs 52,947 for the drum and Rs 54,749 for the disc variant (ex-showroom Karnataka). <br /></p>
<p>Gone are the days, when customers of commuting bikes only questioned and researched the fuel economy of their prospective bikes before riding them home. The biking scene in the country has changed over the past half decade with the launch of performance-oriented bikes by various manufactures. <br /><br /></p>.<p>Having said that, it doesn’t mean that Indian commuters do not worry how much fuel their machines guzzle up anymore. But the bar has sure been raised these days. Now, the promise of a two-wheeler frame and good mileage are just about not enough to sell bikes on the market.<br /><br />Home grown auto major Bajaj understands this very well. The company has chosen its famous commuter bike, Discover, to serve a new segment of customers, who want performance and mileage biking at the same time.<br /><br />The 150-cc segment is the most sought after in the Indian auto market as it serves both need for speed and fuel economy. It would be fair to say that Bajaj engineers have upped the ante with their new series of Discover bikes.<br /><br />Bajaj has launched Discover 150 F and Discover 150 S at shockingly affordable prices in the particular segment, which actually makes these bikes impressive choices for various reasons.<br /><br />The Discover 150F styling sets the bike apart from its own tribe. It boasts of a quarter fairing, inspired by elder sibling Pulsar 220, and the graphics and instrumental panel add more muscle to the variant to take on the rivals of its class. <br /><br />Safe rides<br />The bike also comes with a 240 mm front disc and 130 mm drum brakes, coupled with wide tubeless MRF tyres for safe riding, a first for the Discover variant.<br /><br />Other uber features include a mono-shock with nitrox suspension and power specs like a new 145-cc four-valve DTS-i motor coupled with a five-speed gearboxes. <br />The entry level variant of Discover 150 S has simple styling and features drum brakes, both front and rear and optional front disc brakes (240 mm).<br /><br />The 150 F bike we test drove lets you know that it has been revived to give you a different experience from its siblings.<br /><br />The moment you jab the electric start, the engine jumps to life. The single cylinder 145-cc four-valve air-cooled and carburettor engine is supported by Bajaj’s twin spark technology. It produces maximum power of 14.5 hp @8500 rpm and a healthy maximum torque of 1.3 Kg-m @6500 (12.75 N-m). <br /><br />The bike has all upshifting five-speed gearboxes, which work pretty smooth and don’t ask for frequent gear shifting as it can put a decent performance on low speed.<br /><br />The drum brakes don’t inspire much of the rider’s confidence. As you realize that the rear brakes are not creating enough traction to prevent you from rear-ending another vehicle, the front disc brakes comes to the rescue. <br /><br />The drum-disc brake combination works quite well for the class. As far as riding quality goes, there is no specific qualm to speak of. The bike comes with a long seat, which helps the rider and passenger to not compromise on their comfort. <br />The ridging position is upright, assures easy negotiation of traffic and corners during riding in the city. <br /><br />It hit the top speed above 110 kmph but not without the vibrations creeping in. The engine is particularly tuned for commuting on city roads but doesn’t really limit the bike’s performance on the highway thanks to a revived 4-valve engine.<br /><br />The 4-valve technology of the Bajaj was introduced with its flagship Pulsar 200 NS, to ensure the health of the engine and gives it a firm low-speed performance and better acceleration experience. The looks also put the bike in the upmarket class. Verily impressive.<br /><br />So what makes Discover 150 F a better choice amongst the offerings from other manufactures and how does it stand up against in-house competition from the much-loved Pulsar 150 cc? <br /><br />Here, the Discover 150 F hits the sweet spot. It rides on two different planks serving the requirement of speed and without compromising on fuel efficiency. The maker’s promise of 72 km per litre by way of mileage is quite tempting, but you can expect the bike to give you anywhere between 55-60 kmpl. <br /><br />Besides, the pricing of the bike is so competitive and rather cheap for a 150 cc bike. Discover 150 F (Half Fairing) will be available at a price of Rs 60,073. Discover 150 S (Standard Fairing) comes with a price tag of Rs 52,947 for the drum and Rs 54,749 for the disc variant (ex-showroom Karnataka). <br /></p>
