Bajaj Platina 100 ES Test Ride Review

• Feb 3, 2015
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After elimination of the Boxer & CT series from the entry level segment Bajaj has stuck to the Platina series as their entry level offering. However there is one Platina 100 is already on the product portfolio of Bajaj, the company has launched one more bike from the same marquee and named it the "Bajaj Platina 100 ES". Though the name of the bike is as same as it virtually appears only the suffix "ES" makes the bike stand out, and that denotes the "Electric Start".

Now there are two different bikes by same name and appearance but from core they are indeed two different personalities. Bajaj had made big claims about the new Platina 100 ES, lets check it out what are those claims and whether the all new 100cc Platina ES lives up to those claims.

Styling:

The new Platina 100 ES looks virtually identical to the existing Platina 100 but the styling of the new Platina is more fresh as it comes in three vibrant colors with new graphics. You can consider the new Platina as an updation and the updates are striking and looks like a successful effort to make an entry level commuter more like an executive class bike.

The front headlight cowl is all new body colored with rear grab rail which is also get the body color treatment this time. The new Platina 100 ES has received a side profile makeover along with the redesigned rear portion. The paint job of the Platina 100ES is claimed to be scratch resistant and of superior quality and yes it is very true as you look at the bike it becomes quite evident that Bajaj has done an honest job at this forefront. The engine has got grey color treatment which gels with the black color engine block and the all black alloy wheels.

Unique feature like all fiber full chain cover is introduced in the new Platina, the use of fiber instead of steel in the chain cover not only helps to reduce the weight of the bike (even though marginally) but also aids in reducing the rattling noise which can occur in case of the chain makes contact with the cover or the covers get loosen. Ergonomics:

The seat of the new Platina 100 ES is claimed to be the longest in its category and I must admit it is not only longest but also one of the comfortable seats in its class. It is made up of plush material which offers maximum comfort for both long journeys as well as in the city commute.

The stubby handlebar is accompanied with the never before soft handgrips, I wonder why Bajaj is not giving this small but very crucial feature in all of their bikes. I personally never like the hard plasticky handgrips of all Bajaj bikes including KTM Dukes. The new Platina also has forward set footpegs, which with plush long seat and soft handgrips actually make your ride very comfortable in both the Worlds. Engine & Transmission:

The new Platina 100ES has got 102cc 4-stroke, Air cooled, Dtsi engine, the engine is capable of producing modest 8.2 Ps of Power and 8.6 Nm of Torque. Opposite to the existing Platina 100 which has single sparkplug regular engine the new Platina 100 ES has Bajaj's patent Dtsi engine, though Bajaj has continued with the reliable cast Iron engine block from the old Platina in the new Platina.

The engine lacks the punch in the first gear and it is understandable as Bajaj claims ARAI mileage of 96.9Kmpl the bike is more oriented towards the mileage. But what is the beauty of this engine is its Torque which is spreaded evenly throughout the rev range and specially the engine shows its composed nature at slow speeds. I don't know it was the Dtsi engine or the beauty of the entire drive train that makes this 102cc engine absolutely knock free when I rode the bike deliberately at speed as low as 18-20 Kmph in top gear. It was amazing to see the ease with which the small engine took the pressure without any hiccups or snatching.

The Dtsi engine is mated to the 4-speed transmission gears and to my surprise the gear box is smooth, if not as smooth as of Honda's, it is certainly way better than the previous gear boxes from Bajaj. There was no false neutral seen, the transmission was communicative and responsive. The thought that came to my mind when I experienced the gear box of the new Platina was; it is surely much better gear box than that Bajaj plonked in their so called bike from 150cc executive class- the Discover 150F/S. Riding Dynamics:

The moment you put the first gear in the slot, you get to know the difference and specially if you have owned a Bajaj bike previously you can easily make out the difference and can perhaps understand better what I am talking about. The ride was plush and comfortable due to the soft seat, coupled with the spongy handgrips and not too stiff suspensions. There is signature "SNS" spring in spring suspension doing duty at the rear, whereas there are Telescopic suspensions up front. The suspensions were doing well what they are suppose to do but I don't know that it was actually the SNS system was responsible for that or the whole setup was such that it makes the ride easy and comfortable.

There is no option for the disc brakes in the new Platina 100 ES and the 110mm drum brakes are doing duty both at front and rear. Although the rear brakes were doing there job perfectly but the front drum brakes lack the bite and I missed the disc brake badly to complete the package.

One thing I did not understand, why Bajaj has chosen the "Metro Continental" tyres on this almost complete package. The tyres have definitely played the spoil sport in the new Platina, though Bajaj have replaced the old "2.75 X 18" tyre with the meatier 3 inches tyre at the rear, they could have easily put the MRF tyres instead. Verdict:

Overall its a surprise package from Bajaj with tremendous amount of improvement both in quality and the detailing. It has now been proved that Bajaj is seriously working hard to take its position back from their competitors. At a price tag of Rs 44507 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) the new Platina 100 ES is a bike to be considered seriously. Motorcycle Courtesy: Sanghi Bajaj, Bhopal, M.P.