The 100cc segment generates the bulk of motorcycle sales. And no one seems to be able to offer more choice or bang for the buck than Bajaj.

Bajaj Auto Limited (BAL) would do well to switch from motorcycle-making to a magician’s vocation, given the frantic pace at which they are pulling out new bikes (rabbits) from their repertoire (hats).
This manufacturer eclipsed all other two-wheeler makers at the Auto Expo held in Delhi this January, when they showed a whole raft of exciting motorcycles and scooters. A salivating audience listened raptly as master magician, Rajiv Bajaj, calmly promised that these bikes would all actually be launched by the end of 2006. He also added that apart from these, a couple of models not displayed would arrive as a bonus.
The Platina is among these reserved aces to hit the market. The latest Bajaj bike looks like a relation of the erstwhile 125cc Wind, a bike born of the Kawasaki-Bajaj alliance. However it comes into a segment lower, within which it sports a handsome profile and large dimensions — a desirable attribute indeed. Big is better, yes — in its favour is the fact that an entry-level buyer can save money and ride his full size Platina out of a showroom without feeling he’s bought a mere, puny commuter.
The new Platina comes with subtle styling changes that have been neatly executed and perfectly matched to an all-new set of graphics. Bajaj weren’t the first to bring alloys to India, but are surely the ones who have made them available to the masses. The Platina becomes one of few entry-level bikes in India that will offer smart six-spoke alloys as an option.
This new Bajaj enjoys a similar and proven four-stroke and air-cooled engine, a replica of the unit on their bread-and-butter CT 100. Performance from this twin-valve and ‘exhausTEC’ exhaust
resonance chamber-equipped engine can be expected to be identical to the CT 100, for power and torque output stays common on both bikes.
Peak power at 7500rpm is 8.2bhp, while 0.82kgm of torque is on tap at 4500rpm. Weighing in at 112kg, the Platina also has a near-identical power to weight ratio as the CT 100. The Platina deploys Bajaj’s ride control switch for users needing tactile guidance in maintaining economy-friendly speeds. It’s got a four-speed gearbox that will shift in Bajaj’s trademark all-down pattern.
While we are still to ride the new Platina, the press photos tell us it sadly lacks a box-section swingarm. However, there’s been no scrimping with suspension components or the frame — telescopic forks do duty in front and spring-in-spring or SNS dual hydraulic dampers at the rear handle the chassis package along with 17-inch rims all round. We have to reserve comments on ride and handling till Bajaj allows us a ride. Expect real world fuel economy to be in the frugal 65kpl region.
Hang on a bit and we’ll give you the complete picture on this bike. But for now, like the bigger Discovers and even larger Pulsars, the Platina looks certain to write yet another Bajaj success story.

SPECS Price: Rs 34,000-36,000 (ex-showroom, Pune) On sale: Now L/W/H: 1994/751/1086mm Wheelbase: 1277mm Ground clearance: 165mm Fuel tank capacity: 13.5 litres Kerb weight: 112kg Engine layout: Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke, 99.27c Power: 8.2bhp at 7500rpm Torque: 0.82kgm at 4500rpm Specific output: 82.6bhp per litre Power to weight: 73.2bhp per tonne Gearbox: 4-speed, 4-down Front suspension: Telescopic forks Rear suspension: Hydraulic SNS shocks, tubular swingarm Front brake: 110/130mm drum Rear brake: 110/130mm drum Wheels: Wire spoke/ 6-spoke alloys Rim size: 1.6 x 17/ 1.85 x 17 inches Tyre size: 2.75 x 17/ 3.00 x 17 inches

WHAT TO EXPECT Well-proportioned, value-for-money commuter with a trusty Bajaj tag.