Bajaj Platina bike review: new and improved with 125cc motor

It started about a year ago with the Bajaj XCD125 that aimed to change the face of the entry-level bike segment completely. As well as offering 100cc fuel efficiency, 125cc performance, and 150cc features for the price of a 100cc executive bike, it also forced all other manufacturers to rethink strategies for this under-exploited segment that is always I had considered a compromise between 100 and 150.

The segment this year saw a lot of action with four launches so far, considering the revised Yamaha Gladiator and Bajaj Discover 135 alongside the new TVS Flame and Honda CBF Stunner. The fifth comes in the form of the Bajaj Platina 125.

Following the typical Bajaj approach of diversifying variants of its existing brands, the Platina gets a trans plant at the heart of the XCD, making it the cheapest 125 you can buy on the market today. This is also a bit unexpected as the sporty silhouette of the XCD Sprint from Auto Expo ’08 is still fresh in my mind.

The only distinguishing feature of the bike is the black theme that runs from the front forks and alloys to the engine and exhaust, giving the bike a luxurious appeal. The slightly upward tapered exhaust immediately shows the XCD connection. The front fairing now houses two pilot lights on each side, absent on the 100cc bike.

The rest of the bike remains the same and the graphics are also similar to its smaller engine sibling. The Platina 125 also has an electric starter as standard. The parts of the cycle also remain identical, the front telescopic forks and SI shocks give it a flexible ride. Ergos are a lot commuter-like, with the flat seat and tall handlebars representing an upright seating position that passengers are sure to appreciate at the end of long-haul days.

The Platina is pretty nimble in city traffic, but it’s not really a fun tool beyond the city limits. The front end does not feel positioned at high speeds and there is not enough communication through the steering to increase confidence in your cornering abilities. However, he remains a humble traveler for the tribe who spends hours running among his clients throughout the city.

What sets it apart is the new engine. The 124.58cc DTS-Si (Digital Twin Spark-Swirl Induction) mill has been lifted directly from the XCD and is in the same state of tune producing 9.6hp of power at 7000rpm and 10.7Nm of torque at 5000 rpm. With swirl induction technology, the engine transforms the performance of the bike while controlling fuel efficiency.

The engine incorporates balancing valves that impart a swirling motion to the fuel-air mixture entering the combustion chamber. This vortex generates turbulence as it is compressed, resulting in a more homogeneous mixture that results in better combustion. The two spark plugs are positioned closer to the valves rather than the regular center position to aid the cause and generate a more uniform flame front.

Not only does this help you get better performance, it also squeezes more miles out of every drop of fuel. According to the test figures, the bike takes 6.8 seconds in a 0-60 kmph run, while 8 goes to 13.3 seconds, making it faster than 100cc bikes by a fair margin. The top speed I got was 91.6 km / h. The engine feels very smooth and voluntarily accelerates without vibrations. There is a decent mid-range for potter in town, but the top end is not very impressive.

The Platina 125 is not an outlet and our interpreter, but a stress-free traveler who can energetically transport one without problems. The gears are well rated and fit perfectly with a positive feel; I did not find false neutrals during my time on the bike. However, fuel efficiency is in the best of 100.

The Platina delivered a staggering 77.9 kmpl on a standard street circuit, at speeds in the region of 4, while the highway figure dropped to 72 kmpl, demonstrating its city-centric state of tuning. The Platina 125 is priced at Rs. 44,695, OTR, Pune, making it a very tempting proposition among the current crop of Executive 100, Hero Honda Splendor NXG, Passion, and the like. Standard alloy wheels and electric start improve your VFM ratio to the maximum. It costs around three thousand less than the XCD 125 and is Bajaj Auto’s weapon to kill the competition that the XCD missed on its course.

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