Bajaj Auto is on a roll. How many times have you heard that in the motoring press? Well get used to hearing that even more often. The fact of the matter is that Bajaj Auto is no longer the sleeping behemoth that it once was, being among the most active manufacturers in the two-wheeler segment. If you are a regular reader of this magazine you will have noticed that since May we have been carrying out road tests or first rides of Bajaj bikes with clockwork regularity. Which is saying a lot considering not long ago owing a Bajaj meant a Chetak scooter was your trusted steed.

In September Kawasaki announced that Bajaj Auto's Waluj plant would be the global hub for all Kawasaki bikes under 250cc. Great news for you and me. Surely by next month we will also see the official launch of the long awaited Eliminator (first ride in the September issue). The launch of these top end bikes (and the promise of even more) hogs the limelight and does wonders for the Bajaj image and market value. But ultimately what puts moolah in the bank accounts of Bajaj staff, workers and dealers are not these top end bikes but the bread and butter models that sell by the truckload. In October we tested one of these models, the Bajaj Boxer AT which is not just the least expensive motorcycle but also the second bestselling motorcycle in the Indian market. This time around we train sights on the reincarnation of the original breadwinner (along with the Chetak scooters) for Bajaj, the M80 Major 4-stroke.

In the step-thru' category the best-seller is not the Hero Honda Street nor is it the Kinetic K4-100. Since the mid-1980s, the Bajaj M80 has been the bestselling step-thru' even though more technologically advanced and refined rivals were launched in the intervening years. The M80 saw light of day as the M50 back in 1980. Over the twin decades since she has seen a hike in capacity to 80cc and after weathering initial bugbears, claimed market recognition as a strong, rugged product capable of withstanding sustained abuse. This ruggedness was coupled to very good fuel economy that made her the darling of rural folk while at the same time appealing to the urban masses. In fact the brand loyalty that the M80 commands is something Hero Honda or Kinetic can only dream of. Bajaj further added to the mystique by deliberately not going to town with promotions for this model, making it the best kept success stories in Indian motorcycling.

With ever-tightening emission norms, the end of the road for two-strokers does not seem very far off. To comply with emission regulations a cat-con was fitted in the 2-stroke M80. A few cosmetic changes were simultaneously effected and voila, thus was born the M80 Major. However in keeping with Bajaj's avowed intention of phasing out all two-stroke motors, the need for a 4-stroke motor for the M80 was felt and acknowledged. And so here she is, the M80 Major 4S. Along with the motor, a number of significant alterations have been effected to bring her up to standards set by the competition. Let's see now how she sizes up.