Fanning a 'fresh breeze' in the 110-cc class

More than a decade has passed since a time, when Indians were made to pick a bike and they often chose from a list of ‘reliable’ 100 cc utility commuters, swearing by their easy ride, mileage and low maintenance factor.

As the years rolled by, the Indian motorbike segment introduced everyday riders and biking enthusiasts alike to a range of babies, including cruisers and superbikes. This shift not only reflected the evolution of the biking culture in the country, but also highlighted the sudden bursts in the rise of standard of living and aspirations of the people.

But in the second decade of the 21st century, there appears to be beginning a popular resurgence of the trend from the decade gone by. Companies have begun reintroducing Indians to the quintessential 100 cc commuter bikes promising economy, fuel efficiency and value-for-money (VFM), with several new vehicles being rolled out in quick succession.

Going by the trend, Japanese biking behemoth Suzuki recently rolled out the 112.8 cc Hayate for the Indian market, offering new competition to a category which is already brimming with many other players. The company offered a lot of promise with this product, especially in terms of savings.

When we beheld the Hayate at the Aryan Suzuki showroom in Domlur, Bangalore, it was a pleasant sight. A smart-looking mid-sized green machine, the Hayate looked promising at the very start itself.

First look

The body speaks of a high build quality, with all things required for a good bike firmly in place. The metallic lush green shade with sprays of black here and there was a welcome sight, and the sharp body graphics, added more glitz to the bike’s overall stance.

The curvy 8-litre fuel tank, with the company insignia imprinted on it, apart from the angular seat, made a good first impression. The instrument panel was neat and uncluttered, with a large white speedometer, fuel gauge and all the required indicators in place. It looked to the point, yet serious.  

On the front, the Hayate looks and feels a lot more than what a mid-sized commuter has to offer. The edgy headlamp and a small dome with brand ‘Suzuki’ inscribed on it look and feel high-end. The tail section with the wedged tail lamp, it appears, is a mini replica of that on some of Suzuki’s big boys one is so familiar with.

We decided to take the Hayate out for a spin, a long one, with the objective of actually checking out if it actually delivered on its promises. Could it actually give the mileage of 65 kmpl it promised? Could it promise a smooth ride? Could it give VFM, so ‘essential’ in this category of bikes?

Taking seat on the Hayate, we again became aware of its superior quality. The ergonomics are perfectly suited, and the seat position goes well with short people too.

It was time to take off. The responsive electric start was hassle-free and before we knew it, first-gear, and we were on the road. The bike has enough power to comfortably carry two people around.

The best way to express it is by saying that the Hayate knows how to keep up with busy traffic at moderate speeds. As we moved ahead, the refinement of the engine grabbed our attention, which eventually became a constant. Indeed! The Hayate engine is refined and feels like butter. The sound of its engine, as one shifts gears and rides between speeds, creates a rhythmic tune and feels like notes from a musical instrument.

A superior 112.8 cc air-cooled, 4-stroke, single-cylinder, SOHC engine has enough kick, offering a smooth ride and allowing reasonable power. As we approached a steep incline on the road, we noticed that the bike effortlessly begins the climb.

The most impressive observation we made was that the bike gives little drag, even as it accelerates.

As we moved on changing gears, we noticed the responsiveness of the gear-shift. There is no jerk or jolt whatsoever and the ride is maintained as smooth as ever, with the manual 4-speed gearbox, along with a wet multi-plate type clutch, doing their job with finesse.

We hit peak traffic requiring riding at slower and steady speeds. It is here that the Hayate displays a tiny hiccough. While it can punt ahead in busy traffic, at parking speeds, the bike seems a little unstable. To make matters worse, the bad roads and many speed breakers we found in front of us, were more than a match for the bike.

As we hit pockets of heavy traffic along the way, the slowing bike acted cranky, needing careful manoeuvring and negotiating between other vehicles, many of whom were faster than the one we were on.

It must be stated here that the Hayate is essentially not a fast bike, owing to its commuter segment positioning. It takes one to shift all four gears for the bike to touch a negligible 60 kmph, and that’s quite a lot of time spent if one needs to suddenly accelerate and ride fast on finding an open road. And once it does reach speeds in the excess of 60 kmph, the Hayate gets a little shaky.

Being a bike in the 110 cc category, it sports no disc brakes. But the shakiness and crankiness is handled well by the existing mechanical, leading-trailing drum type brake, assisted by the reasonably broad tyres, and the 5-step adjustable rear shock suspension, which do a pretty good job of keeping both bike and rider in control.

We rode further, continuously assessing the bike’s minutest details, its ride and handling. The most important feature of the Hayate is that despite its shortcomings, it is a no nonsense, fun bike to ride and one could never go wrong with it. The engine, with its not-so-good points, still keeps running effortlessly and comfortably carries commuters to their destination. 

When we ended our long ride, we were convinced that like all things ever made, the Hayate is no perfect bike. It has its unavoidable negatives and imperfections, but there are also those many match-winning positives and best-in-class nuances that make it stand out.

The Hayate’s looks, riding comfort and the ride itself are good examples of its reliability. The best part is that for a good 112 cc two-wheeler, the Hayate does deliver a mileage of 60-65 kmpl, which is a great deal of savings considering today’s petrol prices.

Available in five colours, it is amazingly priced at Rs 46,455 for kick start and Rs 48,706 for electric start (both on-road Bangalore – subject to change), which is its best feature ever.

The term ‘Hayate’ translates as ‘fresh breeze’ in Japanese and by making this bike, Suzuki has not only brought some breeze into the 110 cc category, but has also brought in some fresh air to the two-wheeler segment itself.