Bajaj Chetak 3503: On a hot Tuesday morning in Mumbai, Bajaj Auto launched what could be its most radical two-wheeler in many decades—the Chetak 3503.
Industry veterans, technology aficionados, old time riders; you name it and people from all walks of life queued up at the historic Taj Mahal Palace to get a glimpse of how Bajaj crafted the scooter that was once pride and joy for everyone during its hayday.
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Bajaj Chetak 3503 From Icon of Culture to Modern Marvel
Bajaj Chetak 3503 Hardly any make of vehicle has sunk itself in the India’s cultural psyche as effectively as the Chetak did! Named after the war horse of Maharana Pratap of Mewar, the scooter became an allegory of middle-class ambition for status in the 70s and 80s.
Families formerly spent years on booking lists to obtain one, and weddings were occasionally scheduled around delivery dates.
For 10 years, my father ferried me to school on his cream-coloured Bajaj Chetak,” says Vikram Mehta, a 43-year-old banker at the launch.
“When Bajaj said they were going to bring the name back, I knew the day would come when I’d be first in line, no matter what it looked like.”
Somehow, for Vikram and thousands like him, the new Chetak 3503 walks the tightrope of tradition and technology.
The familiar rounded headlamp and sinuous sidelines are there, but with the addition of LED lights, digital displays and bodywork constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum alloys.
Metrics that Matter for Performance
For all its retro aesthetics, it’s got thoroughly modern underpinnings. The liquid-cooled 125cc engine is good for 9.8bhp and 10.8Nm of torque—numbers that should see the scooter fare decently in India’s highly competitive scooter market.
Three riding modes are available (Eco, City, Sport) that riders can choose to match driving conditions and riders preference.
“We benchmarked against everything in our segment, whether it was the domestic or international players,” says Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director.
And we didn’t just want to compare to them, but to set new benchmarks for sophistication and usability.
Chetak Tri-Modes are rated to deliver a notable 55-standard/68-economy km/l in various riding conditions — impressive consideration for the needs of Indian commuters as hovering fuel price becomes their regular concern.
With that 6L tank being the case, theoretically it should have a range of 350km+ in optimal conditions.
Tech Integration Done Right
It is when it comes to the technology where the Chetak 3503 really shines. The 7-inch TFT display is the centrepiece which is claimed to be visible in direct sunlight which is a requirement for any motorcycle in the tropical climate that is India.
It is from this screen that a remarkable range of connected features are accessed.
With the dedicated Bajaj Connect App, your smartphone connects with the device over Bluetooth and facilitates the turn-by-turn navigation, call management, music playback and even weather information right from the bike! What’s more, the system will be able to read riding trends to provide personalised tips to ensure you are maximising your efficiency and modern chain and maintenance recommendations.
For security there are keyless go with proximity sensors, phone controlled remote immobilization, and geofencing to warn owners if their scooter moves outside normal parameters — a real world antidote to worrying about theft while using your scooter around town.
Most importantly, the whole platform is upgradeable through software updates over the air, which means Bajaj can add new features without you having to visit a dealer—a feature that was previously only available in expensive cars and is above all a first in the segment.
Practical Considerations
Daily utility has not been sacrificed at the altar of technology. The 24-liter underseat storage can easily carry a full-face helmet with more space available.
There’s also a front compartment with a USB fast-charging port that can work even when the engine isn’t running, a nice touch for smartphone users in a constant state of battery anxiety in the always-on age.
The ergonomics have been very well thought of with a seat height of 780mm which will cater for different height of riders.
The floorboard places feet wherever comfortable, and the sculpted seat accommodates both rider and passenger for long two-up rides to the city.
Weight and passenger load are handled by a hydraulic suspension with 5 step preload adjustmentm and stability is in the hands of 12 inch wheels with have tubeless tyres that do not reduce the bikes ability in traffic.
Safety Features That Reassure
For safety purposes, there is the addition of standard impact absorbing CBS (Combined Braking System) for all the Piaggio scooters bearing ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) in top models.
The full-LED lighting system offers great visibility day and night and the hazard lights can be activated in case of emergency.
The frame includes designated crumple zones to absorb collision forces, and although it’s something no one likes to talk about, it’s becoming a more and more necessary safety feature now that traffic is getting worse and worse in cities across the world.
Premium versions of the scooters are also equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system that notifies riders if they have a low tire before it becomes dangerous.
Market Placement and Availability Bajaj
The Chetak 3503 is priced between ₹85,000 – ₹1,05,000 (ex-showroom) for the choice of variant, and hits a sweet spot somewhere in between, as a premium, yet accessible offering.
Prima’s price point has been carefully considered – positioned above mass-market scooters but below fully-imported international options, making it a competitive offer for urban professionals or tech-connected commuters.
Availability will be through Bajaj’s large dealer network, which will start in key metros before branching out to tier-two cities by the end of the year.
The firm will also offer a full ownership package, “Chetak Care”, comprising extended warranty options, maintenance plans and road-side assistance— the last one is likely to see major customer uptakes given the challenges of running a scooter with sophisticated electronics over the longer term.
Bajaj Chetak 3503 The Road Ahead
Bajaj Chetak 3503 Industry analysts see the Chetak 3503 as more than the launch of another product.
“This is Bajaj’s statement in the premium urban mobility space,” says transportation expert Sanjay Krishnan. “
They’re capitalizing on their legacy but showing how technically they can build and deliver in the form of connectivity and user experience design.”
It seems like the timing is just right, too, with urban customers calling for transport with, arguably, a bit more of a focus on convenience, tech and the environment.
Not to be confused with some of its fully electric competitors, this simply super-efficient engine — and light-as-all-get-out construction — means the 3503’s tail-pipe emissions are well below mandated levels.
For millennials who grew up with tales of the original Chetak’s dependable nature and cultural relevance, this new model represents a nice blend of continuity and progress; a welcome trait in a segment that’s moving ahead almost as rapidly as the vehicles on this list.
We won’t know whether this modern day avatar will capture the iconoclastic appeal of OG cult Janoskis until the first pairs touch down next month.
But going by the specs, purposeful design and aggressive pricing, Bajaj has certainly armed it to the teeth.
