Oct 07, 2016 08:08 PM
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Special attention was given to the exhaust note which is a bit throaty but nothing exceptional. The Bajaj V15 feels comfortable cruising at speeds around 70kmph in fifth gear. Talking about gearbox, the gear shifts aren’t as crisp as it Japanese rivals while the clutch action felt sticky. Performance isn’t the forte of the Bajaj V15 as the motor feels a generation old in company of modern 150cc powerplants and we feel that the Avenger 150’s engine should have been used on the new bike. Being a short ride we couldn’t test the mileage figures, but the company claims that the V15 will return 55kmpl in real world conditions. Low saddle height, centre-set footpegs and wide handle bar echo its commuterish DNA and the riding posture is upright and comfortable. But I found the foam density of the seat too soft as after spending a considerable time on the bike you feel like you have “sunk into” the saddle. Also the fuel tank isn’t easy to grip with your thighs owing to its form. The Bajaj V15 isn’t a motorcycle that you would go corner hunting and that show in its neutral handling dynamics. Manoeuvrability though is something that is vital for any commuter and the Bajaj V15 shines on this aspect as its agility helped me in negotiating the torrid Pune traffic rather effortlessly. Braking is done by a disc unit at the front and drum brake at the rear.Braking performance was satisfactory with good bite from the front disc but they lack feel and progression. Telescopic front forks and gas charged twin shock absorbers at the rear handle suspension duties. The bike is well damped as it rode over broken roads and undulations effortlessly. The plush ride quality is among the highlights of the motorcycle and given our poor road conditions it’s a boon. While the marketing team did a fabulous job in generating the curiosity around the Bajaj V15 it will be interesting to see whether or not the V15 is able to strike a chord with consumers in due course of time. So if you’re in the market for a standout commuter with good ride quality and agility, the Bajaj V15 is an interesting option. But if engineering finesse figures in your criterion, we would suggest you to look for something elseHowever the overdose of chrome on the rear suspension springs, exhaust muffler and the headlamp housing look tacky. While we aren’t impressed by the design of the Bajaj V15, it seemed to have appealed to the masses as many people stopped to click pics of the bike and bombard us with queries regarding it. We though suspect it was the bright red and white paint scheme that played a significant part in grabbing their attention. The instrument console is a basic analogue unit with speedometer and trip meter while the fuel gauge bar changes from green to red when the bike hits reserve.
