Revving up: The new Bajaj Discover DTS-Si is incredibly fuel efficient

It’s clear that Bajaj is moving along their tight schedule after rolling out the stylish XCD 135 DTS-Si, revamping the Pulsar line-up and also enhancing their existing models by improving their quality and refinement. The manufacturer introduced a new Discover DTS-Si, intending to create a lasting impression in the 100cc segment. But does it possess the potential for discovering a new commuter market share for Bajaj?

The Discover DTS-Si does not sport a fresh face and shares its silhouette with the original Discover 125 DTS-i. But an all-black treatment to the new bike comes hand-in-hand with smart five-spoke alloy wheels, front forks, engine, chain cover and neat-looking sheared silencer, managing to mask its age.

A new battery-powered headlight is flanked by twin pilot lamps in the familiar headlamp cluster and provides waver-free illumination at night. There are neat twin-pod instruments that offer riders a useful tripmeter, speedometer, fuel gauge, beacons for the turn indicators, neutral warning and battery.

The grips and levers are comfortable to use and the switchgear is easy to work with. This includes a blue ride-control switch that helps riders maximise mileage by providing tactile guidance to prevent excessive opening of the throttle. The handle-mounted mirrors give a good view of the world behind.

The new Discover sports a rubberised gearshift and rear brake pedals that feel comfortable and offer better grip in the wet. It follows the Discover family tradition by displaying its frame around the swingarm pivot region. A blackened alloy grab handle at the rear sits atop a stylish LED tail-lamp. The bike displays good paint lustre, the rear mudguard provides extra protection and the overall quality of the bike is acceptable.

What’s part of the standard kit on the Discover DTS-Si is a maintenance-free battery as well as a self-start system. Its single-cylinder displaces 94.38cc and sports long-stroke dimensions of bore and stroke. This is the first Bajaj bike to adopt an improved ‘DTS-Si 2.0’ engine.

While DTS-Si or Digital Twin Spark with swirl induction is a Bajaj-patented fuel-economy-boosting twin-plug technology, version 2.0 claims further benefits while retaining twin spark plugs to aid quicker and more complete combustion cycles. The twin-valve engine also uses a graphite-based piston coating that reduces friction, thereby increasing engine efficiency. An exhausTEC resonance chamber on the silencer bumps up low-end grunt.

Like most 100cc bikes, the Discover 100’s engine is tuned towards fuel economy. The bike pumps out a modest 7.7bhp at 7500rpm, while producing a maximum torque of 0.8kgm. It comes with a five-speed gearbox — a rarity in this segment — that shifts in an all-down pattern. While enthusiasts will welcome this addition for its fun factor, some commuters may find that the extra cog translates into extra work when riding in the city.

There’s good spread of torque throughout the rev range and enough low-end muscle in the powerband to allow the Discover to pull off urban overtaking moves. The rubber-mounted engine feels smooth and refined, with vibrations kept firmly at bay. The Discover can complete a 0-60kph dash in 9.78 seconds, and its maximum speed is 90kph.

This Bajaj deploys a single downtube frame that splits at the engine and reunites at the swingarm. The swingarm itself is made of rectangular section metal. The new 100 uses twin telescopic forks up front and a pair of adjustable and gas-filled shock absorbers at the rear.

A high handlebar seats riders in an upright posture, comfortable even for tall riders. The seat is adequate for long distance riding and ride quality is good, really spine-pampering with the bike efficiently soaking up all sorts of road undulations.

At 1305mm, the Discover has among the longest wheelbases in this segment. It does not mind being flicked through traffic and its front and rear drum brakes combination provides anchorage. While brake feel at the lever is always reassuring, feedback from the tyres under heavy braking can be unnerving.

Bajaj has tried to ensure that the Discover DTS-Si stays as frugal as can be. The bike returns 62kpl in real-world city riding conditions, and an even more creditable 67.1kpl when out on a highway run.

Styling tweaks have given the original Discover a new lease of life, and this new variant looks more modern than its predecessors. Bajaj’s refined engine is well suited to city riding and delivers excellent mileage.

The new Discover also impresses with its good ride and light handling. Accompanied by novel features like a battery-powered headlight, a five-speed gearbox and an LED tail-lamp at an affordable price, this new bike does make a sound case for itself.

SPec check

Bajaj Discover DTS-Si

Price: Rs 40,894 (ex-showroom, Pune)
Engine: Single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-stroke/ inclined from vertical
Maximum power: 7.7bhp at 7500rpm
Maximum torque: 0.8kgm at 5000rpm
Gearbox: 5-speed, 5-down
Suspension (F/R): Telescopic forks/ gas shocks, rectangular swingarm
Brakes (F/R): 130mm drum/ 110mm drum