Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si

Bajaj Auto today launched a 135 cc version of its CD motorcycle, the Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si.
The Bajaj XDC 135 DTS-Si will cost Rs 45,000 ex-showroom Delhi. Bajaj plans to export the new motorcycle to its oevrseas markets starting April 2009. Till then, the motorcycle will be sold only in India.

Last year, Bajaj launched the Bajaj XCD 125 which has been doing reasonably well.
The Bajaj XCD 135 will be positioned between the already available 125, and the 150cc Bajaj Pulsar which has been quite popular.

The new 5-speed motorcycle has a single cylinder air-cooled engine that produces 10.5 bhp at 7500 rpm, a maximum torque of 11.58 Nm at 5000 rpm; and comes with features such as auto choke, gas filled Nitrox absorbers, digital speedometer and LED tail lamps. Also available are electric-start and front disc-brake. Expected fuel efficiency is 60-70 kmpl.

Bajaj is the undisputed master of the capacity game. It’s either that the company wants to spoil customers for choice or it is so busy developing KTMs that Bajaj boffins only get to bore out their existing engines and pen a few lines in their spare time. It’s been quite sometime we’ve seen an all new product from Bajaj and however tall the claims of it being an all new bike, the Bajaj XCD135 is a restyled, bored out XCD125, but a good-looking one at that.

Bajaj’s second onslaught at the premium commuter market hits the styling nail right on its competitors’ foreheads. The short front fairing is dominated by a big trapezoidal reflector unit, flanked by a small bat-shaped visor. Elaborate tank extensions are meant to add a Pulsar-like bulge to the small XCD 125’s existing tank and are executed in a much better way than on any other Bajaj. The tail section too takes cues from the Pulsar’s sharp rear, my favorite bit being the flush fitted LED strips for tail lamp. The alloy footrest hangar is another design element to add up to the sporty appeal.

The bike also gets an analog tacho and digital speedo combo, lifted straight off the Discover 135 and a 100-section rear tyre to bump up its VFM quotient. The seating is upright and keeps the bike close to its commuter intentions.

The XCD 135 has no surprises to offer on the road. It feels more or less like the XCD125, torquey at the bottom but a little more eager towards the top. The 134.6cc engine produces 10.2PS of power at 7500rpm but what comes more in to play is the class leading 11.58Nm of torque available at a lowly 5000rpm. Backed by Bajaj’s swirl induction tech, the engine promises not only a performance edge over the existing bikes but also a phenomenal hike in fuel efficiency.

Throughout my time spent with the bike, I experienced a strong pull right from walking paces in the top gear. Oh yes! The new bike comes with a slick five speed ‘box that enhances the tractability of the engine. I could manage to see 100 on the speedo a couple of times. But unlike the Discover 135’s smooth, rev happy mill, this engine feels a little gruff with lots of vibration creeping in beyond 5000rpm.

While I had no qualms about the bike being easy to maneuver in jam packed city streets, I found it quite composed round the corners too. The stiff ride was a bit disappointing but got better with a pillion.

On the whole, the Bajaj XCD 135 promises to upset quite a few 125cc applecarts. But does it? Read the March 2009 to find out. The XCD is challenging the Gladiator and the Stunner...

There is no information so far about the top speed of the Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si. Initial production of the Bajaj XCD 135 will be from Aurangabad, Mahrashtra and later from Pantnagar, Uttarakhand

Its not completely a different bike than XCD 125 but consider it as an enhancement. For big changes, wait for future version. But being 135cc, it will get an edge over 125cc bikes in same segment..It will be available in 5 colors and decal option available, which the consumer can choose from.

Looks of the bike:

Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si has to compete with the companies that are introducing super bikes into market and many bikers are waiting for the excellent looking Sprint but they have to wait some more for the sporty bike. Bajaj is mostly dependent on the middle level commuters for its market. Hence it introduced a low cost bike with some enhanced features as compared to 125 cc.

Some styling has been added by the bike manufacturers to make the bike look stronger. The bike has the distinctly styled twin pilot headlamp, sharp indicators and the poor looking tail lamp cluster. 135 cc has been upgraded to look better than 100 cc bikes. Some special graphics have been added to petrol tank and the back rail has been made to look slimmer. Front looks have been improved and a different kind of back light has been attached to the bike.

Engine:

Bajaj XCD 135 DTS-Si is powered with a 4 Stroke, air cooled, DTS-Si, 135cc engine that delivers 10.2 ps of maximum power @ 7500 rpm and 11.58 nm of torque @ 5000 rpm. The bike is more powerful that 125 cc but you shouldn’t expect much from the new launch. The engine revs is 8000 rpm and even in low speed in fifth gear, you can drive without getting the bumps. In fourth gear also you don’t get the bumps in lower speeds.

The bike picks up fast and in fifth gear it can go to speed of 80 kmph in some 10 second but it takes time to go to 100 kmph and in speeds higher than 100 kmph, the bike vibrates. The bike delivers a mileage of around 62 kmpl.

Ride and comfort :

The stability of bike in high and in low speed is better than 125 cc. Handling of 135 DTS-Si is easier because of the long wheelbase of 1275mm. XCD 135 has 5 speed gear box and the ExhausTEC system has been integrated to the machine to lower the noise. The bike comes with auto choke, disc brakes and gas-filled Nitrox shock absorbers that help the bike to be in control.

The 135cc DTS-Si machine is equipped with the digital speedometer and DU bush front suspension adds to the style feature of the bike. The digital speedometer and the analog tachometer are comprehensible but the indicators don’t turn off automatically in bright light.

Some of the features of XCD 135 DTS-Si

• Electric start
• Low-friction front suspension
• Twin pilot headlamps
• Suspension at the rear: 105mm Rear wheel travel, bigger nitrox(gas filled shock absorbers )
• Suspension at the front: 130mm telescopic forks
• Lowered handle bar to improve control
• Front disc brake :200mm disc and 130mm brake at the rear
• LED tail lamps
• Tyres are bigger (100/90*17″ tyres)
• Black matt alloy wheels
• Dimensions are similar to 125cc XCD.
• Chassis is box type diamond
• Ground clearance: 165.00 mm

Advantages and Disadvantage of the bike:
Advantages of the bike

• Broad tyre than 125 cc
• Control is better than 125 cc
• Engine performance increased
• Nitrox shocks
• Improved tail light.
• Design improved
• Low cost bike with enhanced features and good mileage.

Disadvantage of the bike

• All those waiting to get the Sprint should lower their expectations from the new bike.
• There is not much difference in features between 135 cc and 125 cc.
• The style of the bike has not been improved to the expected levels.
• Even the performance of the bike that shows engine 10.2 ps of maximum power @ 7500 rpm ,is not that is expected from the increased CC bike.

Cost:

The buyers have been waiting for the launch of new bike XCD 135 DTS-Si that comes in three models:

• Kick start model = Rs. 43,000 (ex-showroom in New Delhi).
• Electric start with drum brakes model = Rs. 45,000 (ex-showroom in New Delhi)
• Disc brake model =Rs. 47,000 (ex-showroom in New Delhi).