Though the Indian automobile market is highly dynamic, there are certain things about it that cannot be changed, especially when it comes to customer behaviour. People in India, especially buyers of motorcycles, rely heavily on particular brands, one of them being Bajaj Auto, which is among the country’s largest manufacturers of two wheelers. Bajaj Auto, like a top brand, has a solid customer base for its Discover series that is going from strength to strength in India.
Bajaj’s biggest competitor in India, undoubtedly, is Hero MotoCorp and the tussle for the top spot in terms of market share keeps going on between the two firms. While Hero has the Passion series going strong, Bajaj is keeping neck to neck with the Discover moniker, which currently has seven models in its portfolio, namely New Discover 125, Discover 125, Discover 125 T, Discover 100, Discover 100 M, Discover 100 T and Discover 125 ST.
Experts feel that Bajaj Auto has been pretty smart in creating multiple models with same engine configurations in order to cater to customers’ requirements for exclusivity. The 125 cc engine models are suited for middle-class working people living in cities, who require a two-wheeler with reasonable looks, excellent mileage and aggressive pricing, thereby ticking off all boxes and matching to their requirement.
On the other hand, the 100 cc models are best-suited for people from lower income groups, probably living in rural and semi-urban areas. The series works in Tier-II and Tier-III cities due to the popularity of its brand name, suitability in terms of riding and pricing.
Bajaj Auto, given its pricing constraint has managed to include some technology features in the Discover 125 models. The Bajaj Discover 125 ST, for instance, is pretty stylish in terms of looks and boasts of some hand features as well. It has a Nitrox Monoshock suspension that is a first for a two-wheeler in the commuter category. The combination of Nitrox and Monoshock ensure both comfort and improved handling of the vehicle, something that gives it an edge over other bikes in its segment. This model is powered by a DTSI twin-spark engine that has a capacity of around 125 cc and churns out an output of approximately 11 BHP.
The Discover series models powered by 100 cc engines (100 T, 100 M and 100) are simply outstanding when it comes to fuel economy. Bajaj Discover 100, for example, offers a claimed mileage of up to 91 kmpl, which is quite astounding and often seals the deal for Indian customers. Though not so appealing in terms of looks, the handling and comfort of this bike is pretty good, considering its price range.
