CT 100 MORE POWERFUL, STAR WINS REFINEMENT BATTLE
Both vertically offset air-cooled engines share similar profiles with cast iron cylinder cases and finned aluminium-alloy heads, though the Bajaj engine sadly lugs around ugly external oil arteries. The Boxer CT draws on the advantages of friction damping needle-roller bearings for its rocker-arms, while the Star has chosen to leave these out. Both four-stroke engines use short-stroke cylinder dimensions, with two valves, single overhead camshafts, conventional carburettors, single-spark plugs and digital and variable ignition systems. Both manufacturers have worked hard, fine-tuning the contours of their bikes’combustion chambers and ports to perfection. The CT 100's 99.27cc outputs 8.2bhp, higher than the Star's 7.5bhp squeezed from 99.7cc, both figures made at 7500rpm. The CT 100 also manages more torque at 0.82kgm at 5500rpm to the Star's 0.76kgm at a slower 5000rpm. Bajaj has been intelligent in making optimal use of this slightly extra overall grunt by using taller gear ratios to aid the bike's mileage.
TVS has chosen to concentrate on making its engine resilient and durable enough to endure the harshest of Indian conditions. To achieve this, engineers have lavished attention on the transmission, wet-clutch unit and valve-train. The Star's engine has all its shafts designed for minimum deflection levels and the company has laid emphasis on increasing the durability of the drive-chain.
Clutch units on both bikes feel just fine with a soft and comfortable feel available through their respective levers. Tall gear ratios on the CT 100 are the trick bits that help it achieve splendid mileage with a noticeable chasm incorporated between the second and third gears. In spite of the fact that the CT 100 has a beefier power-and-torque output, the Star with its shorter, well spaced out ratios results in faster acceleration times to 60kph. At top speed, the two steeds ran neck-to-neck, with the CT 100 managing 84kph to the Star's 85kph. Shifting through the four-speed, heel-and-toe, all-down and all-up gearboxes of the CT 100 and Star respectively, are smooth and trouble-free affairs.
Though the CT 100 engine sounds a tad gruff, there is no cause for alarm. In sharp contrast, the smooth-as-silk TVS engine imparts a refined feel.
On the Bajaj handlebar, a blue, ride-control switch when activated offers resistance to the throttle being milked beyond a fixed point. This ensures that the rider , who intends to obtain the the best economy, does not act a spoilsport by using too much throttle. Riding without crossing this point ensures good mileage but the resistance of ride control, even when switched on, can be overcome when you wish to accelerate.