I am discovering the Discover . Review on Bajaj Discover 100

Hello fellow readers,

I bought Bajaj Discover recently ( 1st Jan 2005) and I must say I am not disappointed by it's performance till now.

Since I have an average height (5' 6'') and normal build, so I narrowed down my choices to either TVS Victor 125 or Discover DTSi , after going though so many things and comparing the features, I finally opted Discover and I must say.... I made a right choice. (Not because I own the bike now!) I did test ride both of them , but I felt Victor as very light vehicle compared to Discover and also it does not have the suspension that Discover has. And more importantly Discover has 11.5 BHP where as victor is of 9.8 BHP to be precise. More over you get Dunlop tyres with Discover. Well, I shall let you know more details about Discover rather than comparing both the vehicles. I tell you .... THEY ARE INCOMPARABLE...!! You just cannot compare the VICTOR 125 with DISCOVER DTSi...!! It would be like comparing a good batsmen with the master ....Sachin TENDULKAR!

After being with the MY DISCOVER for about 5 days or 200 KMs, I DISCOVERED that whatever bajaj has claimed on this bike is almost true.... Thought I could not check the stuffs like 0-60 KMPH in 6.5 secs and all... Anyhow I would definitely try it once the 1st or 2nd service is over and keep you folks updated. This bike is heavy and you could feel that when you are riding. And I am very much tempted to test it's HIGHEST SPEED on road.. of course not now and not on Bangalore's local roads as well!! Because if you just touch the accelerator, the bike OOZES past 40 KMPH!! (while on a test ride, I did touch 85 KMPH with out any vibrations) So I am pretty much eager to check my bikes max speed.

Let us look at it's features:

BRAKES and SHOCK ABSORBERS:It's BRAKING (DRUM BRAKES)and the SHOCKS are just amazing! It has a suspension of 130 MM at the front (As far as I know, this is highest by any standards among the 2 wheelers in India) and 105 MM at the back..!! Braking as far as I am concerned, it's awesome. Recently in a traffic, when I was around 55 KMPH speed, I applied the breaks due to the Traffic signal and trust me, the bike did not move more than couple of feet.

Mileage: Coming to the important detail you are looking for...the MILEAGE... When I purchased the bike, I was told that there was 1 ltr fuel in it, so I chose to add 2 ltrs more and check the mileage( 2.3 ltrs reserve) and the bike ran 45.6 KMS for that much amount of fuel( 07~0.8 ltrs).Then checked with 2 ltrs of fuel and the bike ran 125.6 KMs. So I am bit confused to tell you all whatz the exact mileage, (even if we take the average of them, it would be around 60). however as far as I am concerned .... I am least bothered about the mileage as long as it is above 50KMs..... because I opted this bike for its power (Ignored the VICTOR for this VERY REASON) and comfort. And the power is just AMAZING!! if you cant believe it... ride it once to believe it.

And one more good thing about it is.... you need not change the gear from 4th to 3rd or so while riding below 30 KMPH!! This is something special... You could move the vehicle on 3rd Gear at 20 KMPH or lesser.... and mind you, with out any knocking sound or that usual stop and move jerks that happens in most of the bikes(Example is SPLENDOR)!! This is due to the exhausTEC(Torque Expansion Chamber) Technology which is about to be patented by Bajaj. This technology improves the engine torque drastically at low revolutions and that is the reason why you need not change the gears at low speeds on this bike.

ROAD GRIP: Road grip is good. You could bend it like BECKHAM !!:-)

Lights: And I did ride this vehicle during night for about 50 Km and I did not feel you need any more powerful headlamp than this!! It has got halogen bulb. And the most important feature is, the dipper or the passing signal , whatever you call it, that works even with the lights are ON(Not in High beam though). With most of the vehicles that Passing signal does not work when you put the lights ON!

As they say.... NOTHING IS PERFECT in this world.... the only bad feature I have experienced in this bike TILL NOW is, the meters. Both the odometer as well as the fuel meter has poor visibility(Not to the extent that you cannot see it, but they could have done it better! ... when you see all other AWESOME options in this bike, you bound to feel that, they could have done better with the meters) during day light..... It's somewhat difficult to see the numbers on the dial. Of course they look awesome during night!

All in all, pals, this bike is VFM -- Value For Money! If you do not believe.... Just go for a test ride... I am sure, you all agree with me..... :-)

Its surely is a MASTER PIECE!!

Update(Feb 11th,05): After 1st Service:--

Yup, the bike seems to be super smooth after the 1st Service...! I had only 2 issues, starting trouble (Due to cold condition at bangalore during morning hours) and there was a small CHIRRRRRR sound at the back while riding. Both have been attended well by the bajaj guys.

And it seems the bike is going to give me a mileage of above 65 KMPL. Coz after first service, I put 3 liters of pertrol and since then the bike has RUN more than 195 KMs with some petrol available beefore it could come to reserve. So all in all, good mileage for a WHOPPING 11.6 BHP bike (Highest power producing bike among 125 CC, even 150 cc engine of Unicorn and Pulsar have 13 BHP only!)

Another update(April 12th,05): After 2nd Service:--

Hello folks,

Yesterday I got the bike serviced (2nd free service at 2162 KMs) and it would take a week to let you all know whether there have been any improvement in the mileage front however let me tell you the bike seems to be getting better and better after every service. It's becoming smooth as well. It's been a jolly ride for me ever since I have got this bike. Will Keep you updated.

Max speed on the bike: Some days back had been to Tumkur, (National Quadragular Highway) and I clocked a speed just below 105 KMPH (Not sure what exctly was the speed as it was an analog meter) but all in all, let me tell you... a speed of 105 or let us say 100 KM (Due to small mistakes in Analog meters) on the bike and I did not notice any kind of VIBRATION at all.... The bike was going as smooth as it does at 50 KMPH!!! except a little more or rather some what more Noise from the engine... obviously @ 100 KMPH you do not expect an engine to be silent... do you ? Since the bike is heavy so at higher speeds it does not tend to shake it's TAIL as done by some of the Hero Hondas especially Splendor!!! It just moves ahead leaving behind every one!!! If you do not believe then go ahead and get any Discover and check it out.

Updated on 01/07/05

Mileage after 6 months of usage: I have been consistently getting a mileage of around 64 KMs on the heavy traffic roads of Bangalore.

On highways(During weekends and longgg rides) the mileage 69-71 KMPL with a consistent speed of 65 to 80 KMPH.

Your ratings and comments are welcome....

-- Amith