Its a fact that we Indians are tired of 7 HP commuters! They felt more like a bicycle with bigger tires. (or may be like a tiny electric scooter?)This may be one reason why many had to stretch to 150cc segment. However performance never had an upper hand over efficiency in this mass commuter segment.
Finally, it is changing. Something acceptably powerful has shown up. Indian 125s typically generate something between 9 and 11 PS. Discover 125
ST’s got two more. It is very much ride-able now. May be India’s first modern four stroke 125 that can do a true ton? ST stands for Sports Touring.
This one is neither sport nor tourer, for those who knows bikes! Nevertheless, it communicates something to the targeted commuting customer. This helps to announce that this bike is special.
ST may be more of an insert so that they can sell the old Discover in parallel. Yes this is not a replacement for the old Discover 125 yet.
Lets checkout how the new generation commuter looks like.
Design and Styling
The new discover is in no way radical or special in the case of design. It’s a bit different and minimal. No fancy bikini fairing, no embossed logo on tank. It’s a good sign that Bajaj has decided to keep this brand just for commuters. There are more hints, we will discuss that later.
Unlike Hero and Honda (Igniter and Stunner) Bajaj still reserves the serious tasks for the pulsars. If you want a 125 cc bike that has some fairing and detailed styling, and you are not bothered about performance, new Discover 125 is not your bike.
Tank gets a new design, very different from last generation discover. Tail lamp is also very different in design compared to anything existing in industry. New Alloy Wheels are refreshing.
Equipment and Engineering
125 ST is a nice package all together. Full DC set-up is a welcome thing. Commuters are not expected to be revved up all the time. With DC this will have consistent illumination irrespective of engine speed.(You need not red-line it to see the pot-holes on a village road).
Instrumentation is rather simple with minimal details. No tacho!(so drawing a clear line between the commuter discover and the pulsar line-up). All analog console has a Speedo, odo and trip meter. Fuel gauge is large. All clocks are clear and readable.This is definitely not the most modern unit out there.
Switchgear is not as well built as the pulsar’s. Not bad for the class but definitely can be improves. Low/ High beam button had a considerable gap with the housing that can allow water seepage in heavy rain.
Features includes a pass switch (something Honda forgot on their premium 150cc bike) and all regular switches. Boxy switches are not ergonomically good. Spending some more time on this for designing will definitely help. When you call a bike Sports Tourer you need to provide switches that will not hurt on a longer ride. Purpose of the bike should be in mind before you start designing/engineering it.I am not saying that its all bad for a 125cc commuter. Its definitely decent. But far from something made for a tourer.
Mirrors are large and have some design details. Very functional RVMs , thumps-up for that. Rear grab rail is simple and usable unlike the two piece ones.
Suspension setup is very mature for this class. A first in class mono-shock with piggy back at rear, a red unit that looks bold too. A rigid and strong box section swing-arm completes a nice chassis.
The Discover 125 ST has exposed O-ring chain. Though its modern and allows wait saving, it requires more attention from the user. One needs to clean and lube it occasionally.(That is part and parcel of biking my friend, do it at home)
Hero is still reluctant to try such a set-up even on their flagship machine. Sometimes it makes sense for a commuter since it requires less attention (expected from a novice 100 cc bike user).Indian consumer is lucky if the sales men are not starting to project the chain box as a plusfeature on some 100 cc bikes. This will push the market 20 years back.
200mm petal disc at front functions reasonably well.A 240mm rotor could have been better considering the performance this bike packs. Remember that rear is still a 130mm drum. Don’t be hard on it or you will easily lock it up.
Build quality has definitely gone up for Bajaj. Under seat welding quality will tell the story.
After all this hard work, Bajaj’s assembly line is very tired. So they want the customer to pull the nut rubber cover down as soon as he buys one!!
Engine, Performance and Ride
This motor is definitely different in its class. With class leading power of 13 PS, It can reach a true 100 kmph unlike most 125 cc bikes in the country. Probably first four valve unit in segment.
There are people arguing that more number of spark plugs are a myth but it definitely helps to achieve optimal combustion and this results inbig numbers in efficiency department, 60 – 65 kmpl is fantastic for a bike of this caliber. This combustion helps in easy adherence to emission normstoo. We recommend being as less polluting as possible. (Think before you modify your exhaust port and anything beyond that on any bike, be eco friendly, please don’t throw off your cat-con )
5 -Speed transmission felt well sorted and precise.There were no false neutrals. However they are not as silky as some of the best boxes out there.
Corrugated fins are a very new thing in our market. It helps in faster cooling. So better sustained performance.
Engine is visibly more powerful than other bikes in the class. It pulls decently even with pillion. In fact this light bike can give a fight tosome 150 cc bikes (just like we have seen with P135). Vibration levels are very much in acceptable range. After an initial bump(a tiny one) in the toque curve, most commuters fades off. This is not that sort of motor. This one has a decent response even when you try to milk the max at reasonably high RPMs for a commuter.
All 125s in the country including the stylish Ignitor and Stunner are no match for this motor in terms of on-tarmac performance.
With a rigid frame and a thick box section swing-arm , 125 ST is acceptably rigid. Handles very well. Narrow hard compound rubber however is alet down. Not much to worry in day today commuting usage. But for the corners, you better get a set of nicer tires.
Neutral steering and lightness(124.5kg) makes 125 ST an agile tools for the city.
So should I buy?
Nice question that is. It depends on your requirements. If You are looking for a semi faired stylish looking bike, and you don’t like pure naked styling, well you may have to settle for something else.
What Discover 125 ST has on offer is a very potent motor with class leading power and a nice chassis with modern suspension bits like monoshock.
A modern looking simple naked commuter which is powerful and fuel efficient at same time. Need a commuter that does not feels liken electric scooter, pick this up. You can even use it for short (I mean short) weekend touring as well.
(http://throttlers.net/ride/2013/02/02/discover-125-st-at-last-a-commuter-that-can-pull/)
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