With its rough and tough nature, few design changes, the bike adds value to your riding experience
With its rough and tough nature, few design changes, the bike adds value to your riding experience
The Bajaj CT 125X is the manufacturer’s new competitor in the 125cc commuter space and the new, big brother to the existing CT 110X motorcycle. The Pune-based manufacturer has been away from the 125cc segment for a while now, and now, the bike has its work cut out to compete with established rivals including Honda Shine and Hero Glamor. Let’s see how it is.
True to its utilitarian nature, Bajaj has done well to give the CT 125X a rugged and tough look. Elements like the fork gaiter, beef metal belly pan, engine guard and luggage rack not only look good but are functional too, and this is something that will be appreciated by its target audience. The smaller headlight grille, black alloy, engine casing and body panels also help make it stand out from other passengers.
The build quality is also acceptable for this price. The material feels a bit built for the cost, but feels solid, which helps bring out that sense of rigor that Bajaj is going for. The switchgear also looks basic but is good to operate and Bajaj has given it a pass switch as well.
With a few nice touches for the price, the CT 125X is rather basic when it comes to features. The bigger CT sibling makes do with a simple halogen headlamp and analog instrumentation, but gets an LED DRL, a convenient USB charging port and tubeless tires (unlike the CT 110) which buyers will love.
The 124cc engine found in the CT is new to India, but Bajaj has been using it in export models for some time now. The unit makes 10.9hp and 11Nm of output, which is 2.3hp and about 1.2Nm more than the CT 110X. Like other Bajaj commuters, it uses an e-carburetor, which is unique to Bajaj products in the Indian commuter segment. The company says it has worked on creating a flat torque curve, so much so that 90% of peak torque is available all the way from 3,500rpm to 8,000rpm. And it’s something you really feel once you leave.
The CT 125X feels tractable and creates motion in a linear way, with no real flat spots in the powerband. You can also potter as low as 40kph in fifth gear and the whistle will get louder without complaint. Bajaj claims that the CT 125X will deliver between 55 and 60kpl in the real world. However, refinement is one area where this motor falls short of the 125cc segment benchmark. It’s quite smooth at normal speeds but feels gruesome at high revs, which also brings some movement to the handlebars and foot pegs.
The gearbox is a 5-speed unit with an all-down shift pattern, which if you are now coming from the traditional one-down four-up format, will take some time to get used to.
The 125X, like the 110X, uses a double cradle frame, but instead of being constructed from round tubes, Bajaj has opted for a square cross-section that it claims enhances rigidity. Suspension duties are handled by telescopic forks and twin shock absorbers, with the latter being adjustable for preload. With my lightweight frame, the set-up felt a bit firm at low speeds, but it’s worth bearing in mind that this bike is also designed to carry a pillar and/or other heavy load, and there’s no need for it. Shouldn’t be a problem for most buyers.
In terms of wheel size, Bajaj has opted for 17-inch, as opposed to the 18-inch you see on most of its rivals. The bike rides well, with no flying or unsteady feeling, so it’s not really a problem. The company has opted to use tubeless, road-biased tires as opposed to semi-knobby, tubed tires on the smaller whistle, as the 125 is expected to have some highway capability.
As far as ergonomics is concerned, you are seated upright and comfortable on the whistle. Although the 810mm seat height is a bit high compared to its competitors, most people should still be able to bring both legs down with reasonable ease. Overall, the CT125X is an easy affair to ride thanks to its lightweight controls and slim dimensions. The only let down is the seat cushioning, which feels very firm.
Where CT really scores in pricing. With a starting price of ₹71,000 (ex-showroom, Delhi), the CT 125X is on par with the lower-end Hero Splendor. Meanwhile, the higher-spec disc variant of the CT 125X is priced at ₹74,554 and the likes of Honda Shine and Hero Glamor start at around ₹78,000 and go up to around ₹82,000, giving Bajaj a significant price advantage over its rivals.
Sure, it seems built for a cost and doesn’t have some of the features you find in the Honda Shine, like silent start and a kill switch, but the CT 125X’s appeal lies in its rugged and tough nature. While this may not appeal to many buyers in Tier-1 cities, buyers in rural areas who just want the dependable, tough and utilitarian workhorse of a motorcycle will see value in the CT 125X. Above all, buying a Bajaj will save you around ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 over its competitors, and this is bound to seal the deal for many.