Bajaj Platina 100 – An easy commuter from Bajaj
Bajaj’s Platina is over a decade old now and this is a bike that has helped the home-grown two-wheeler manufacturer draw volumes in reasonable numbers, thanks to its fuel-efficient engine and low maintenance costs in this particularly entry-level bike category. Bajaj launched the Platina 100 aiming at this kind of market. The bike features electric-start and comes with a higher mileage figure. The Indian brand has finally started paying attention to the commuter bike segment. Is this bike easy to live with, and more importantly, is it a good family bike?
Simple and sleek
The Bajaj Platina 100 appears quite lengthy and sleek, but nothing changes the fact it’s a simple design by Bajaj Bikes. However, it does look smart with all the attractive stickering. The front cowl looks different and solid; gone is the black visor. You get a dated, fully-analogue instrument cluster that displays a speedometer, odometer and a fuel gauge via twin chrome-rimed meters. The handle grips feels nice to hold and the black levers seem to be of good quality. And the mirrors provide a good view of what is behind. The tank is mildly sculpted and sports a filler-cap hinge, making it convenient to use. The saddle is rather flat but the seat cover has decent grip on it. The Bajaj Platina 100 also gets a body-coloured grab-handle. The engine of the Bajaj Platina 100 gets a smoked-out look and that includes the exhaust pipe, the chassis and the wheels. The chrome exhaust is the only non-black element.
Economy power
Bajaj Bikes have equipped the Platina 100 with a 102cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The bike features a thumb-starter that won’t need engaging the clutch while being cranked. The motor sounds quiet at idle. Bajaj Bikes have given the motorcycle dual spark plugs, plus it uses two valves for intake and exhaust work. The motor develops 8.2bhp and 8.34Nm of torque. The engine is smooth and feels relaxed for as long as you don’t cross 60kph. However, it can reach a top speed of 80kph. We feel this bike is best used within the city, because this is where the engine feels smooth. There’s even a carburettor choke system under the fuel tank. The bike features a four-speed transmission that can be shifted in an all-down pattern. It takes some getting used to, but the clutch is light. The engine provides good flexibility and it can pull all the way to 80kph in the 4th gear, making it easy to ride in the city. This Platina 100 also comes with a no-maintenance battery.
City-friendly
The Platina 100 weighs just 108kgs, making it a light motorcycle to handle. The front steering is light and this helps it change directions without any delay, and this proves to be useful when dealing with bumps and pot holes. The turning radius is pretty good and the CEAT tyres provide confidence when riding. Being small, it is easy to ride and cruises well on highways with the rider and pillion feeling comfortable, thanks to the upright seating position. The bike gets telescopic forks up-front, helping the bike soak in the rough stuff. The ride is stable thanks to the shock-in-shock suspension. Ride quality is on the mellow side and the bike feels stable. Up-front and at the rear, the bike gets drum brakes that work efficiently. The bike is well built and it’s a great bike for first-time riders as well.
The final decision
The two-wheeler space has been constantly evolving over the years and most enthusiasts would consider the 100cc segment to be the least fun. However, if maintenance and fuel economy matter, then this is one segment you can depend on. And this being Bajaj, no product ever stays the same as the brand ensures regular updates of all its products throughout the range. The Platina 100 is quite a promising contender in its class. Top 10 automobile companies in USA
