[ashwin.terminat]

Bajaj Auto, the world’s third largest motorcycle company today launched the ‘Discover 125 ST” designed to add a whole new dimension to the commuter segment.

Elaborating on the company strategy, Sanjay Saraswat, GM Marketing, said that for too long the average commuter had to be satisfied with boring bikes.

With the styling and performance of a sports bike, yet with the comfort and economy of a commuter bike, the “Discover ST” aims to redefine commuting from “Chalta Hai “to “Daudta Hai”.

Powered by Bajaj’s patented “DTS-i Twin Spark” technology, for the first time in this category, the engine is designed with 4 valves. The Bike delivers a record 13 PS of power, highest in the 125cc category, without compromising on fuel efficiency.

Bajaj Auto’s patented “ExhausTec” Technology enhances drive-ability.

A five speed gear box ensures optimum power delivery, coupled with good fuel efficiency.

Complementing the performance is a very sporty styling.

The bike is defined by a chiseled muscular fuel tank.

An aggressive fairing with sharp edged headlamp underlines the sporty look.

Slender ribbed alloy wheels along with aluminum side sets add to the aesthetics.

Comfort takes a new dimension with another first - a “Monoshock Nitrox Suspension”’

A specially designed “Anti Vibration” frame ensures an enjoyable ride across all terrains.

Source & Full Article : Xbhp.com

[Turbokick]

Sports tourer
Are they kidding ? They could have simply promoted it as sports commuter. Tourer word is a bit mismatch for a 125cc bike.

While I liked the overall development with best in class features and power, I found the style bit too inspired from Suzuki GS and Slingshot !

Also with other variants like Pulsar 135,Boxer 150, Discover 150 and the old Discover 125 available in the market, bajaj is too confused about its strategy by having similar bikes in same price range.

[ashwin.terminat]

If they price it at anything more than the normal 125cc bike, this bike will not go the distance. Daring, I must say. But they may have just experimented with the wrong segment. How many folks willing to buy a 125cc can you possible convince about the advantages of a 4-Valve? A person does not buy a 125cc to see 100kmph reading on his speedo with no evident strain from the engine!

If a person is really expecting "performance" from a 125cc and the 125ST is not priced according to the other 125cc bikes, he is better off just getting a 150cc bike like the SZ-X or something.

Hero's lower segment sales is almost impossible to beat. Rural areas don't care about 4 Valve, FI, top speed, etc. The very sight of plentiful number of Splendors running around largely untroubled for years is enough to convince any person to spend his hard earned money on a Hero.

[Asif 6959]

No offense to anyone, but have the guys at Bajaj R&D lost it. The rear design is simply an eye sore.

After the triple spark plug, now the triple rear fenders. I mean the tyre hugger is one thing, but why may I ask is the other complete fender on the bike.

I guess they have mass produced a lot of these for the KTM and now don't know what to do, so they are fixing it up on all their new launches.

[Mpower]

Good looking bike.

I'm intrigued by the brake disc shield/guard above the front rotor.

Shouldn't it be below the disc to protect from stones.

[ashwin.terminat]

Originally Posted by Asif 6959

No offense to anyone, but have the guys at Bajaj R&D lost it. The rear design is simply an eye sore.

After the triple spark plug, now the triple rear fenders. I mean the tyre hugger is one thing, but why may I ask is the other complete fender on the bike.

I guess they have mass produced a lot of these for the KTM and now don't know what to do, so they are fixing it up on all their new launches.

Good observation! Didn't notice that. Now I wonder the same.

Originally Posted by Mpower

Good looking bike.

I'm intrigued by the brake disc shield/guard above the front rotor.

Shouldn't it be below the disc to protect from stones.

This was included in the previous version of the Discover too IIRC. Oriented the same way too. No idea why though. Possibly as a marketing gimmick saying added protection. If it was such a vital component, it would've been included on the Pulsar range too.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by ashwin.terminat

Now I wonder the same.

I think the reason for the split tire hugger is so that the aft one can be removed by people who don't like the look.

Its probably there in the first place to satisfy some arcane legislation similar to the one for saree guards.

[Bluengel180]

This thread will soon be filled with praises for BAL.but as an avid biker i am concerned about their huge portfolio of discontinued bikes.every year a model is replaced (i'm using the word "replaced" not upgraded) by a newer one in the same segment. and the owners of the latter are left high and dry.

For example : The XCD125. a popular vehicle was discontinued in in its second year(replaced by the new discover,which it replaced in the first place). now owners have problems sourcing parts. the same goes for for the older variants of the pulsar.

And with this new launch. the discover150 has been discontinued, as it no longer shows up on the bajaj website .

[Chillout]

Well, bajaj has been following this policy of discontinuing models in a short span of time. This is one of the major reasons as to why the resale value is very low. Coming back to the bike, it looks promising but a launch date of August means that we can realistically expect by end of year. As it is I am frustrated with the delayed launch of 200 NS and am looking at other options.

[Asif 6959]

Originally Posted by Mpower

I think the reason for the split tire hugger is so that the aft one can be removed by people who don't like the look.

Its probably there in the first place to satisfy some arcane legislation similar to the one for saree guards.

I doubt that. An average Indian bike has more or less a similar mudguard design, minus the additional one.

[Mpower]

Well in that case the additional one is for functional purposes and can be removed for looks.

[aargee]

Just went through the press news once again & some of the points that caught my attention were...

The new Discover Sports Tourer (ST) is all set to change this in a dramatic fashion

When I Googled for "what defines a sports tourer motorbike", I got the following from wiki "A Sport touring motorcycle is a type of motorcycle that blends the performance of a sport bike with the long-distance capabilities of a touring motorcycle, while providing comfort and relative safety to the rider"

while going through this - Selecting A Touring Motorcycle, I found most of the points are applicable except the wind shield, one of the important aspect. However, the same points may be applicable for a street bike as well. Wondering what classifies D125 as sports tourer? Petal disc? Dual rear huggers? Wacky Alloy wheels? Delicate ribbed alloy wheels?

An aggressive fairing

This is the most baffling statement!!! Where's the fairing?

“Petal Disc Brake” enhancing safety

And this one, where I'm wondering how the safety aspects are found in Petals & not with regular ones

Note - No offense to fanboys or anyone, would really appreciate on a healthy discussion with an open mind.

[ashis89]

By launching this model BAL is targeting the youth who want a fancy bike at a lower price range. The fancy features with the fancy names will attract the impulsive guys(no offense intended to anyone).

But what is surprising is BAL has extracted 12.8 BHP from the 125cc engine. I guess it will strain the engine a lot which means shorter engine life. Anyone correct me if I am wrong.

OT: Earlier gen Pulsar had lesser specific power output from the 150/180cc engines and were known to be hassle free for longer kms(about 40-50k kms). On the other hand, current gen Pulsar with higher specific output are known to act up 20-30k kms,even sooner. Am I correct?

PS: I own a '04 P150.

[fz_rider]

Some nice bits like Monoshock Nitrox Suspension and alloys . But designers went overboard . Should have kept it simple .

[.sourov]

I somewhat like the design. But a Disco with Sports tourer tagged to its name seriously what were they thinking.
They have launched the bike with many segment first features but knowing BAL I just cannot comment on how long will these features remain niggle free.