Introduction
The success of Bajaj in India is a story in itself. Their success can be
attributed to timely releases of good performing bikes in the Indian market.
The demand is aplenty in the Indian market for that perfect bike, which in turn
is keeping manufacturers busy by innovating and trying their best to produce
and market their products in the best possible way. Manufacturers can’t rest on
their laurels and be known as a one-time bike and be happy with the sales. They
need to keep up with the trend in the market and be up-to-date on customer
demands. There’re a lot of superbikes coming to India, and the superbike fever
is pretty much catching up in the urban segment. Talking about the rural
segment, the situational demand is even higher for a tough utility bike that
meets their demands.
There are factors like hike in interest and fuel rates affecting production
and putting bike makers in a jinx whether to hold their launches or wait until
the situation eases. The same holds good in the car industry too. In India, Bajaj
Auto is known for their scooters and had quite a good time selling their
scooters extensively and dominating the scooter market for a long time.
Furthermore, Bajaj being the second largest bike makers in India is proof
enough for it to be a top contender to challenge companies like Hero
Honda (Hero MotoCorp), Honda, Yamaha among others. Bajaj did stop
manufacturing scooters and shifted their focus to bikes.
Bajaj honked loud enough to be heard by less than a billion that time when
they came up with the Discover series that have evolved into different forms
through successful upgrades and cosmetic patchworks. When a bike makes a name
in India, manufacturers don’t want to give up the idea of constantly being
around that particular bike and introducing them in various names. The Pulsar
brand was received very well and being exported to Southeast Asian markets too.
As previously noted, it’s all in the brand name that keeps an industry alive
as in the case of Bajaj. Bajaj Auto’s ‘Hamara Bajaj’ liner proved a big hit and
is still helping them sell their bikes.
Bajaj Boxer BM 150 in India
Bajaj has finally launched its utility bike, the new Bajaj Boxer BM
150 in India. The launch was done evading the media glare as quiet as
possible. The idea behind the launch of Bajaj Boxer BM 150 in India is to
primarily target the rural segment. The bike has the features designed in the
older Yezdi bikes and Rajdoots and makes it a perfect bike to be bought rurally
when looking at its robustness and long body.
Engine, Design and Features
The Bajaj Boxer BM 150 in India is powered by a DTS-i,
144.8 cc engine. It generates a power of 12.8 bhp and a torque of 12.7 Nm. It
features the conventional single spark plug. The engine is painted all black
with the rest of it being painted silver. The bike looks very simple in appearance.
The windshield is pretty big. There are round headlamps fitted, which look a
bit conventional. Oval-shaped side blinkers are seen. Tank looks very basic.
Seats are levelled. There are normal features like grab rails along with load
holders. When viewing from the rear, it gives a feel of the old Boxer with
taillight designs that resemble the older version.
The Bajaj Boxer BM 150 in India features the spoke wheels
and comes with both self and kick start options. Drum brakes are fitted to both
the front and rear respectively. The instrumentation panel consists of a
calibrated speedometer until 140 km per hour, an odometer, a fuel gauge, side
and upper blinkers and a neutral gear indicator. The front tyre’s 3.00-17 while
the rear tyre’s 100/90-17. Both the tyres are of tube type. The bike features
standard tubular telescopic front suspension and the rear Bajaj’s (SNS)
spring-in-spring suspension. The name Bajaj is hardly noticeable when looking
at the bike. In fact, the brand is known via a Bajaj symbol on the engine.
Graphics like ‘Boxer’ and ‘BM150’ are seen on the tank and side panels
respectively.
Conclusion
A lot is to be seen how this new Bajaj Boxer BM 150 in
India would do. Bajaj had earlier thought of fitting a 100 cc engine to the
BM150, but later went ahead with the 144.8 cc engine. Bajaj has come up with
the name Boxer again in hopes of re-establishing the lost name. With a
significantly heavier look and customized to carry heavier loads, there is no
doubt Bajaj’s aiming to dominate the rural sales. On the other hand, Honda’s
busy planning to introduce 100 cc bikes in India rurally. Thus, there is a lot
of interest in a manufacturer’s point of view targeting their new bikes rurally
to stay healthy in the market.
Important Points
- The bike is powered by a 150cc engine sans DTSi ie with a conventional single spark plug. Engine head is black colored with the remaining engine silver in color – resembles the Discovers mill.
- According to Bajaj, Boxer is targeted towards the rural crowd who want a no-frills good torque laden transport two wheeler
- Very conventional looking bike
- Round headlamp with a big (and a little disproportionate) windshield, round-oval orange side blinkers, basic tank, leveled seat, metallic grab rail cum light load holders
- Rear looks similar to older generation Boxer with a similar tail light
- Covered chain, commuter seating posture, spoke wheels.
- One good thing about Boxer is that self starter comes as standard. Also provided is the all important kick starting provision.
- Drum brakes both at the front and rear to keep costs under control. Though discs might have been an added advantage in most cases but considering the usage and riding habits of the targeted crowd, this seems to be a sensible move.
- Instrument panel consists of a speedometer calibrated till 140 kmph (reddened from 120 kmph) – highly optimistic..I don’t think it would have any crazy acceleration or top speed, odometer and a fuel gauge along with the neutral gear, upper and side blinkers indicators. Notice the absence of any tripmeter.
- Weighs low
- Electricals are all conventional with the light dependent on engine race. Also it was a little dim and difficult to read speedo-odo readings.
- Switchgear is all basic- light On/off switch (no parking light), electric starter, horn, side blinkers indictor button, upper/lower button and Pass switch.
- Tires are pretty fat from the conventional. Rear is 100/90 – 17 and front is a meaty 3.00 – 17 where the general convention is 2.75. Both tires are tube type and belong to some unknown brand called ‘MahaGrip’ (It might be a sub brand to some known company, however I am hearing it for the first time).
- Front suspension are the regular tubular telescopic whereas the rear are the Bajaj’s trademark Spring in Spring (SNS) suspension.
- Bajaj has kept its name away from the motorcycle. The only place which makes you sure that this is a Bajaj production is the small Bajaj moniker at the engine. At the tank ‘BOXER’ and side panels ‘BM150’ decals galore.
- Engine note had a ‘power’ cry to it.
Pricing
43,392 Ex showroom
1196 Insurance
3217 RTO
350 Smart Card
48,155 On Road Pune
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