Bajaj Discover 110

Why would I buy the Bajaj Discover 110?

The Bajaj Discover 110 is an attractive-looking executive commuter with good ride quality.

Why would I avoid the Bajaj Discover 110?

The riding position is not very comfortable as the tank does not provide enough thigh support, even for riders with an average build. 

This is not the first time that Bajaj has rolled out a Discover 110. The last Discover 110 was pulled off the line-up due to lack of demand in 2009. However, the manufacturer looks to change the game with this version. 

In a way, this bike marks the Pune-based manufacturer’s re-entry into the 110cc executive commuter bike space. While Bajaj has the Platina in the entry-level commuter segment and the Discover 125 a notch above, the Discover 110 sits in between. Aimed to lure in the Hero Splendor and Passion buyer, the bike sports smart-looking LED DRLs, ‘Y’ shaped 5-spoke alloys and a torque-y new engine. 

The Discover 110’s twin-shock suspension at the rear is a blessing on unpaved or oddly cemented roads. The 140mm of suspension travel is the longest in the segment and improves the ride quality of the bike to a commendable extent. Vibrations are inevitable in this segment at higher rpms. However, on the Discover 110, these vibrations resonate around 1500-2000rpm, mostly on the foot pegs than the rest of the bike. The bike handled well with quick turns and U-turns without having to put my foot down.

The bike’s new 115cc motor is the smaller-bored version of its elder sibling’s 125cc engine. It is the torquiest engine in its segment along with power figures just behind the segment leader. The 8.6bhp and 9.81Nm produced by the 115cc single-cylinder DTS-i engine is ample enough to pull through the hustle-bustle of city traffic. Bajaj has also done well with the long-stroke architecture with the gearing being considerably smooth all through the four-speed gearbox. 

Speaking of which the Discover 110 was unfazed even when it was run at 3000rpm on the fourth gear. On the other hand, the engine kept up till the 75-80kmph mark although it feels stressed if you throttle harder. Braking duties are taken care of by 130mm and 110mm drum for the front and rear respectively; which is the standard size for the segment. While the initial bite on these brakes is good, they tend to fade after a couple of hard-braking instances. 

Overall, the Discover 110 isn’t the most engaging bike in the segment but it does well in situations it was built for.

The bike grabbed attention with its LED DRLs. The first-in-class features sure gives the Discover 110 a distinctive appeal. The company claims that the LED units serve more than just a cosmetic purpose. The use of these lights indirectly affects fuel economy gains by up to 5 per cent. While my skinny backside welcomed the seat, Charles’s much more substantial rear did not prefer it. The bike also gets a revised pillion seat although we could not test it due to lack of time.

The fuel tank design makes it difficult for the rider to find purchase, no matter the height of the rider. Tall riders will find it especially difficult because their knees make contact exactly at the ridge on the side of the tank. The orange backlit, semi-digital instrument cluster is well laid out. We feel it could have done with a different font on the tachometer and the addition of a clock for a more premium touch.

Bajaj hopes to lure consumers who prefer a disc brake to the Discover 125 for a premium of Rs 3000. The manufacturer says that offering a disc brake as an option on the Discover 110 is only a matter of demand as they already have the capability to do so. 

The bike carries the styling of the original Discover albeit with a completely refreshed appeal. It aims to give the consumer all that he could get from a premium commuter, in a less expensive package. Hence, Bajaj has equipped the bike with stylish graphics and blacked-out alloy wheels to give the bike a modern feel. 

With an 8-litre fuel tank capacity, the bike returns an ARAI claimed fuel efficiency of 76.3kmpl. This figure falls just a tad below the mileage of its entry-level commuter sibling, the Platina, which returns 80kmpl. So, if you want a stylish and efficient commuter, the Discover 110 is the way to go.

With a price tag of Rs 50,496 (ex-showroom, Mumbai), the Discover 110 is priced lesser than its rivals. While the Indian market offers an exhaustive list of motorcycles and scooters at the price, it directly rivals against the Hero Splendor iSmart 110 (Rs 53,108), Honda Dream Neo (starting at Rs 51,205) and the TVS Victor (starting at Rs 52,282).

Photgraphy by Kaustubh Gandhi