Though the styling does not distinguish the M80 from her predecessors, fire her up and the exhaust note instantly identifies the engine configuration (the throaty rumble emitted being typical of 4-stroke motorcycles.)

Power is provided by an underslung 74.4cc 4-stroke 'economy-series' mill sporting bore and stroke dimensions of 44mm x 48.9mm. She breathes through a single side-draught Mikuni VM16 carburettor. The unit pumps out 5.3bhp at 7500rpm and 5.4Nm of twist at 6500rpm which is actually an improvement over the two-stroke motor! A single overhead cam operates a single inlet and exhaust valve. Nothing fancy or ground breaking here.

The engine isn't very refined compared to the other Bajaj units we have come across especially the one in the Boxer. Rev her hard and the accompanying rise in decibels makes you back off almost immediately. But this could have been because of the test machine being a brand new piece and we still had to run her in carefully. She also felt a bit rough at the upper echelons of the rev range. Vibrations, though not problematic are distinctly felt through the handlebar and do make life miserable by blurring the rear view through the mirror.

Gearshifting is by a heel and toe arrangement replacing the old twist grip assembly. A welcome addition is a fourth cog in the gearbox. (Did I hear fifth?) The heel and toe shifter gives the M80 a big bike feel while eliminating all attendant cable snapping hassles and the precise adjustments necessary for effecting clean shifts. Gear shifts aren't silky smooth but who is complaining as long as that twist grip assembly has been junked.