New Bajaj Discover 150F in the pipeline

Although Bajaj Auto showcased their performance oriented Pulsar 400SS and Pulsar 400CS at the recent Auto Expo, it never shifted its focus from its bread-and-butter commuter range. The company has been upgrading its Discover bikes in regular succession. With the introduction of Discover 125M to their wide (and sometimes baffling) commuter range, the company seems content with their entry-level line-up. At least for now. And with the introduction of the new Discover series, based on a new platform, older Discover models have been gradually phased out. So now, you won’t find the Discover 135 or 150 at Bajaj showrooms, since both have been discontinued. 

Now that Bajaj has the bottom of the pyramid in place, it is working on another new Discover; but this time aimed at the top of the spectrum. People close to the project have revealed that Bajaj has developed an all-new 150cc motorcycle which will incorporate all the bells and whistles and is primed to be the flagship offering in the Discover range. The bike could be called Bajaj Discover 150F, where the F suffix symbolises front fairing, as on the Pulsar 220F and would also sport a similar quarter front fairing. Incidentally, bikes with fairings are better accepted in India and a Discover flaunting one seems like a step in the right direction.

According to sources, the bike will share the platform with Discover 125ST and will also borrow several parts and frame from the ST. The new Bajaj Discover 150F will get a mono-shock rear suspension, flat and wide comfortable seat, petal front disc brake, Discover style alloy wheels and would also feature kick-start along with electric-start. Since the Discover series are essentially commuter bikes, the new Discover 150F will not get clip-on handlebars but instead a conventional one, which would offer a more upright commuter-friendly riding stance. 

Powering the new Bajaj Discover 150F, will be a newly developed 150cc DTS-i, twin-spark, single cylinder, air-cooled engine with 4-valve tech. Since the front fairing would weigh an extra 3-4kg, Bajaj is making sure that there is enough power on tap to compensate the extra weight. Expect the new unit to produce about 14PS of peak power and 12Nm which will be mated to a 5-speed gearbox. And this seems adequate for city commuting.

To keep a clear distinction between the commuter Discover and sporty Pulsar range, the new Bajaj Discover 150F’s price will undercut that of the Pulsar 150 which currently retails at Rs 65,500 ex-showroom Pune. Keeping this into consideration, we reckon the new Bajaj Discover 150F to be priced around Rs 58,500 ex-showroom Pune. The bike is already in its final stage of testing and is expected to be launched in the next few of months.