 Air-cooled,
dual valves, cast-iron cylinders, aluminium alloy cylinder heads,
convenient automatic variator-controlled gearboxes and electric
starter motors — there is a lot that is similar with the
Wave and the 4S.
But there are also key differences: while Kinetic prefers the
long-stroke route, Bajaj has chosen to keep the Wave short-stroke.
The Wave’s combustion chamber has twin-plugs that earn
it the acronym DTS-i — for Digital Twin Spark Ignition
— as well as roller bearings for its rocker arms. It uses
Bajaj’s patented ‘Exhaust-Tec’ system that
effectively compensates for any short-stroke caused loss of
low-end punch.
 Both manufacturers have optimized multi-mode ignition for their
scooters, and have spent much time reducing
engine noise. But the Bajaj plays the efficiency game better,
putting out 8bhp at 7000rpm compared to the Kinetic’s
7.2bhp at 7500rpm. In terms of peak torque, the 4S again loses
out with 0.78kgm at 5000rpm to the Wave’s 0.9kgm at 5000rpm.
On the move, both scooters displayed near-equal mid-range Performance,
reaching 60kph in more or less the same timeframes, after which
the Wave pulls out a magic whip and shoots away to a taller
top speed at 84kph, while the 4S runs out of breath at 77kph.
And compared to the 4S’s loud and, at times, coarse 113.5cc
motor, the Wave’s 109.73cc powerplant is smoother and
far more silent. But allow us to nitpick with the Wave: we dislike
that the ‘Ride Control’ switch remains on at all
times instead of allowing the rider to regulate it. |
December 2005