Bajaj Discover 150F
Bajaj Auto expanded the Discover portfolio by launching the new Discover 150S and Discover 150F.Discover 150S and Discover 150F is the cheapest 150cc offering on sale in our country. Bajaj has been able to price the 150cc offering aggressively as it’s based on the now discontinued Bajaj Discover 125ST. Visually the Bajaj Discover 150S is similar to its 125cc sibling, the subtle differences being the restyled graphics, 3D Discover logo on the fuel tank, grab rail finished in black, enclosed chain guard and aluminium side step in black finish. Instrument cluster on the Discover 150S is similar to the 125ST which is an analogue speedometer, odometer, trip meter and fuel gauge while the tachometer has been given a miss to keep cost low. The Discover 150F sports a semi fairing that gels nicely with the silhouette of the bike and has part-digital-part-analogue instrument cluster with digital display for fuel gauge, trip meter, odometer and service indicator.
The Bajaj Discover 150S and Discover 150F is powered by a 144.8cc, air-cooled, twin-spark 4-valve motor churning out 14.5PS at 8,500rpm and peak torque of 12.7Nm at 6,500rpm. The powerplant is mated to a five-speed gearbox in the all-up shift pattern. The mill also features corrugated fins that Bajaj claims helps in improving dissipation by up to 28 per cent. Apart from being the cheapest offering in the 150cc segment, the new Bajaj Discover 150S will also become the first bike in its segment to feature 4-valave technology. Bajaj claims that both the Discover offerings will have a top whack of 110km/h and claims a fuel efficiency figure of 72kmpl.
Seven. That’s the total number of variants currently listed for the Discover on Bajaj’s website. It spans different engine sizes and includes ‘new’ and ‘old’ Discover models being sold alongside at a showroom near you. Yes, it is a bit confusing and thankfully, Bajaj has realised it and is now putting the house in order by introducing two new models at the top of the Discover pyramid.
Don’t get confused, because very soon, there will be only four Discover models on sale including these new ones.
There is little doubt that the Discover is a well-known brand in the 125cc segment, but Bajaj says it saw a need to bridge the current gap between the commuter Discover and the performance Pulsar brand. And the solution was to develop an all-new, 145cc-displacing, 4-valve unit which is now powering the Discover 150F and Discover 150S.
Mechanically, both are identical. Chassis, engine, transmission, suspension are all the same. The difference is that the 150F has a half fairing like the one on the Pulsar 220, which houses a digital-analog instrument cluster. The 150S sports a regular bikini fairing that houses simpler analogue instrumentation.
Design-wise, there is the very familiar Discover tank with similar-looking decals. Wheels are the typical alloy design we see on other bikes with the same name. It is easy on the eye, and if not for the fairing, many would not be able to distinguish between the Discover 150 and its other siblings. In fact, it is not a new thing, this half fairing. We've seen this on the Honda Stunner and Hero Ignitor when it comes to sub-150cc bikes and to be a step ahead, Bajaj is offering similar design cues but in a more powerful bike.
It's pretty easy to ride, the 150. The riding position, to put it simply, is comfortable. Handling is predictable and the reasonably light weight and ample power only make things better. While engine refinement is better than early Discover models, there are still some vibrations that creep in as speed builds up. It's not exactly intrusive, but could have been better. Also, switchgear and general fit-and-finish of body panels isn’t exactly top-notch.
The Discover 150 is an able commuter bike in overall terms. It is comfortable to ride, and should be easy on the pocket. Bajaj claims it will return a real-world figure of 55-60 kilometres on a litre of petrol. The 150F will cost around Rs 65,000 on-road, which makes it one of the cheapest 150cc bikes in India. For someone looking at a regular commuter bike with reasonable power and not wanting to be intimidated by its size and price, the Discover 150 fits in well.
The numbers
1cyl, 144.8cc, 14.3bhp, 12.75Nm, 5M, 55-60kpl (claimed), Wheelbase: 1305mm, Ground Clearance: 165mm, Seat height: 795mm, 130 (S)-132kg (F), Fuel tank: 10 litres, Rs 52,000 (drum)-55,000 (disc) (150S)/ Rs 59,000 (150F) (ex-showroom, Delhi)
Engine
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Type | Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke |
| Power | 14.3bhp at 8500rpm |
| Torque | 1.3kgm at 6500rpm |
| Power to weight | 108.3 bhp per tonne |
Transmission
| Type | Manual |
| Gearbox | 5-speed, 5-up |
Dimensions
| Length | 2038mm |
| Width | 714mm |
| Height | 1117mm |
| Wheel base | 1305mm |
Chassis & Body
| Wheels | 10-spoke 17-inch alloy |
| Tyres | 80/100x17 / 100/90x17 |
Suspension
| Front | Telescopic forks |
| Rear | Monoshock, rectangle section swingarm |
Brakes
| Front | 240mm disc |
| Rear | 130mm drum |
| Anti-lock | No |
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