Bajaj V12
Bajaj launch one more model made from the metal of the INS Vikrant
I’M ABOUT AS patriotic as the next guy, standing up for the national anthem before every film, cheering for the boys in blue when they win the World Cup, and lamenting about how corrupt our politicians are. So when first heard that Bajaj were making bikes out of metal sourced from the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier in the V15, I was suitably impressed. You have to admit that as far as marketing campaigns go, this is right up there with Bajaj’s better ones like the original “Feel Like God” campaign for the very first Avenger, and the “Fastest Indian” campaign for the Pulsar 220F.
However, I had decided that I couldn’t in all fairness let patriotism hamper my objectivity when reviewing the V12, so when I approached the bike, key in hand, I pointedly looked everywhere but at the shiny badge on the filler cap that said “made with the invincible metal of INS VIKRANT”, obviously I didn’t do a very good job of it if I can reprint what it said verbatim. Be that as it may, I decided to ignore the source of the metal and look at the bike as a whole. It definitely catches the eye, especially in this red with white pinstripes paint job. You will also notice that the V12 has a lot of visual underpinnings from its 150-cc brother, because the chassis, tank, headlamp unit, tail-lamp unit and various other bits and bobs are sourced directly from there.
However, look closely, and you will
notice a few subtle differences. The wheels, while similar, are not quite the same, the rear tyres are thinner (still beefy for the 125-cc segment) 100/9016s, and little bits of aluminium have been replaced with blacked-out metal instead — around the keyhole, for example. The fuel-tank is still the same 13-litre one with those striking striped graphics, the rear seat cowl is still present and correct, and the overall retro styling has been left unblemished, which is good because it is oh-so-charming and works well to give the V12 (and V15) some serious, not to mention unique, kerb presence. So while a few elements have been tweaked to save cost, visually, the V12 is as good-looking as its elder brother, and looks absolutely nothing like any other 125-cc class bike out there. The only fly in the ointment is that black grab-rail which sticks out like a sore thumb on an otherwise delightfully styled motorcycle.
It is also a little bit more torque-y than its competitors with the 124.45-cc singlecylinder power mill producing an impressive 10.7 PS at 7,500 rpm and 11 Nm at 5,500 revs. Since we’re talking specs, it’s only fair to mention that the V12 is also heavier than a lot of its competitors with a 133-kg kerb weight figure. Swing a leg over and you will notice that the riding position is quite upright, as it should be for a commuter, and quite comfortable too. The seat is a little low on cushioning, but makes up for it with that additional sliver of support from the cowl. Another difference you notice from the V15 is that the dials are all analogue, rather than the analogue-meets-digital setup on the V15. I personally like that, because a retrolooking bike should have retro dials too. The switchgear quality is the same as on the V15, and the big mirrors still provide a lot of visual feedback as they did on the bike’s elder sibling.
The engine fires up at the push of the starter, and sounds a little naughty for a 125-cc bike too. Refinement levels are acceptable and nothing more, and the bike does feel a little bit quick from the mid-range of the torque band upwards. The 125-cc engine I mentioned isn’t sourced from the Discover 125 which has a squared configuration (54 x 54.4); rather the V12’s engine is a de-bored version of the 149.5-cc engine seen on the V15. It is mated to a five-speed gearbox setup in aN -1-2-3-4-5 configuration. The gearbox, too, is competent, but could do with a little additional slickness. The suspension setup on the V12 is decent in its bump absorb-ability, and the V12, while no
track shredder, handles pretty well for a commuter. The additional weight doesn’t deter you from leaning her a little bit into a corner, or swerving in and out of traffic. The only issue I had with the bike, performance-wise, was with the brakes. They were underwhelming when compared to the rest of the bike, lacking in both progression and bite, and the lack of a disc brake up front, even as an option, was a little disappointing. The people at Bajaj did hint, however, that with enough demand, a disc variant could make it to the pipeline.
The two most crucial aspects of any commuter motorcycle are fuel efficiency and price. On the former, while Bajaj haven’t quoted an official figure, one of their representatives said that an approximate figure of 55-odd km/l would be accurate as a real-world representation of the bike’s economy. However, you will have to wait for our road test before we can tell you for sure. At Rs 68,600 on-road, Pune, the V12 is in the same price ballpark as that of competitors’ disc-brake equipped 125-cc models; although the bike’s standout aesthetics and distinctively-sourced metal do justify that premium to a great extent.