THIS Is India’s Most Affordable Bike WIth Electric Start

Bajaj Auto has updated the Platina 100 ES drum brake variant for 2021. The newly-launched version retails at Rs 53,920, Rs 5,939 less expensive than its predecessor (ex-showroom Delhi). It features a pair of spring-in-spring rear shock absorbers instead of the twin Spring-on-Spring Nitrox units before. That said, the rear suspension travel is the same, at 110mm. Bajaj also says that the bike features new rear-view mirrors.

The rest of the mechanicals are unchanged. The 102cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine with an electronic carburettor churns out 7.90PS at 7500rpm and 8.34Nm at 5500rpm. It works alongside a 4-speed transmission, which allows the bike to reach a claimed top speed of 90kmph.

The bike features the same telescopic front fork with the same generous 135mm travel as before. The front 130mm drum and the rear 110 unit with CBS too have remained unchanged.

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The only alternatives to the Platina 100 ES the 100cc segment are the Hero Splendor Plus and Hero HF Deluxe. However, the electric start variants of both these bikes are a massive Rs 10,165 and Rs 5,980 more expensive, respectively.

This makes the updated Bajaj Platina 100 ES drum the most affordable motorcycle with electric start in India. Interestingly, spending just Rs 218 more will give you the bigger-engined Bajaj CT110 ES drum. Looks like this strategy could result in cannibalisation, especially if customers value the extra performance of a 110cc bike over fuel-efficiency of a 100cc one.