Bajaj Platina 110: They are the workhorses of Indian mobility: the bare-bones commuter motorcycle, a cheap and fuel-efficient machine often overshadowed on posters and billboards by sleeker, more stylish motorbikes.
Acknowledging this eternal relevance, Bajaj Auto has resurrected its long-standing Platina 110 with a complete overhaul and the launch of a model that is not only good looking but also an example of what local bikers would call dhakad mileage – which translates to exceptional fuel efficiency that’ll make your every rupee count.
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Bajaj Platina 110 From Workhouse to Fashion Statement
Bajaj Platina 110 And the metamorphosis starts at first sight. All the purely functional design is gone there from the earlier versions of the Platina to be replaced by what Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director, calls “contemporary styling that doesn’t stray from the Platina’s practical DNA.”
At the launch event in Chakan yesterday, the Indian motorcycle received approving murmurs from dealers and media who were present at the event.
The biggest changes can be found at the front, however, where a fresh headlamp housing integrates LED daytime running lights that help provide a more recognisable light signature – something that’s becoming increasingly important to brand identity yet is still relatively rare at this end of the market.
“The commuter of today does not want to be hiding their motorcycle,” says Sumeet Narang, president of Bajaj’s domestic motorcycle business.
“They’re proud of it and they want something that looks good parked outside of their place of work or their home. The all new Platina is an effort to this change in consumer thought.
The fuel tank gets some sharper lines and new graphics and the panels become edgier to give the motorcycle more character.
Chrome highlights are applied sparingly, such as the exhaust heat shield and rear-view mirrors, so as not to appear overdone.
With the launch of the 2025 Platina we see five available paint schemes, including this eye-dont-blink Electric Blue finish with contrasting blocks of black, which provided ‘homeowners’ the opportunity to express their own taste but keep the base model’s identity.
Engineering the Extraordinary
But although the cosmetic changes will grab headlines, what’s really impressive about the Platina is its new-look engine and transmission.
Bajaj has quoted a jaw-dropping figure of 96.5 kmpl as the fuel efficiency number in the test cycle - that whud mean anything anywhere between 85-90 kmpl in real world depending upon conditons and riding styles.
This impressive efficiency is the result of the synergistic effect of various incremental improvements and not a single breakthrough technology. The 115cc,fuel-injected,single-cylinder motor now gets:
DTS-i with twin spark plugs for improved combustion efficiency
Low friction piston and rings, compact piston design that incorporates a short wrist pin, overall light weight and minimized oscillating mass, low energy loss
Modified combustion chambers for better flame spread
ECU specifically re-calibrated for optimum efficiency
Reduced reciprocating mass, ach, OKMovement was lighter and other parts moving.
“We took every part of the engine from intake to exhaust,” says CTO Abraham Joseph. “Even elements that seem well-optimized were analyzed again.
For instance, we learned that slightly tweaking the intake filter design provided better flow dynamics and filtration without sacrificing either; yet all these little things add up to the general effectiveness.”
Outputs are still modest – 8.6 horsepower and 9.9 Nm of torque – but a better spread offers good low to mid-range acceleration that suits the usage patterns of most Indians.
The earlier torque curve has been made flatter to give a similar pull up to 30-60 kmp where most commuters spend their working hours.
The transmission also gets some focus, with new gear ratios that suit the stop and go of urban riding.
First and second gears are notchy and a bit short, further enhancing launch – something you need more of when fully loaded with rider, passenger and cargo – and fifth is taller, putting the engine in its sweet spot for all-day touring and maximum mpg at a steady state.
Bajaj Platina 110 Comfort Beyond Its Class
Especially for daily users, Bajaj has now seriously improved the ride quality of the Platina – because the fact is that for countless Indians, their motorcycle is not a form of recreation, it is a means of transportation that they’ll spend hours on in the day on poor road surfaces.
The front suspension travel is 135mm, while the rear twin shock absorbers now come with nitrogen gas charging which used to be available only on premium segments previously.
These enhancements aid the suspension to better manage the diverse battering Indian roads dish out, from sharp-edged potholes to stretched out broken tarmac.
The seat gets an all-new design that Bajaj refers to as “ComfortTec” architecture – multi-density foam layers with firmer layers below for support and softer layers on top for cushioning.
The seat height of 790mm is as comfortable for a wide range of riders, the 40mm increase in length, allows for variable riding positions.
“For us, the comfort factor is not a luxury feature – it is correlated directly to their physical well-being and efficiency of working,” says Narang.
“If you ride 40-50km a day, you can create a huge difference in how tired you feel after a brutal vs comfortable ride. We’ve definitely made this a priority.
Using Technology Meaningfully
With a mind of not straddling the technology for technology’s sake, Bajaj has managed to equip the bike with features nothing less than practical, that only add to the ownership experience without tugging at the price point.
Now with the gauges, which also has a GEAR POSITION INDICATOR, there might be more of an ability for the rider to maximize their mileage with the added visibility to rider trim levels.
And the only remaining lighting change is a full-factory switch to LED units (other than the turn signals), which serve to increase visibility while reducing the demand on the electrical system for power; every little bit helps on a bike losing the displacement/weight ratio fight after all.
High-Visibility Eco Indicator To help instill range-maximizing habits, Zero has introduced the option of a “EcoSense” indicator that provides a visual light display during riding, indicating to the rider when the motorcycle is being ridden in the most energy-efficient manner.
USB charging is a given – USB charging has been installed into all versions – since smartphone connectivity is now a matter of course for the sake of other riders.
A charging port on the handlebar makes it more accessible, but this has a weather-sealed cover to guard it from any monsoon rains.
Bajaj Platina 110 Market Positioning and Availability
Bajaj Platina 110 With prices ranging from ₹65,500 and dropping to ₹72,800 (ex-showroom) depending on the variant, the new Platina sets itself up as being a premium offering within the highly competitive commuter segment, but also remains within reach of its intended audience.
Once you consider how incredibly efficient and low-maintenance they are, the value proposition is clear,” says industry analyst Vinkesh Gulati.
“For an average customer who drives about 1,200-1,500 kilometers a month, this will go a long way in breaking even the price difference (vis-à-vis basic alternatives) in 18-24 months,” Kar added.
Bajaj will start deliveries from its wide dealer network in a month’s time with an initial focus on commuter motorcycle dominated two- wheeler markets like tier 2 and tier 3 towns and cities where on an average, the commuting trajectory is longer and efficiency becomes even more precious proposition.
The timing looks right, as fuel costs are unstable and operating costs are becoming more of an issue in purchasing decisions.
And while electric-based alternatives grab the headlines, the infrastructure utility and initial purchase price delta will probably keep efficient internal combustion engines, like the one in the Platina, the practical choice for mass-market commuters for many years.
As Narang puts it “The Platina has always been the art of smart mobility – it is all about making a sensible choice for the smart commuter who views his motorcycle as a necessity, and not just another lifestyle indulgence.
” This new generation honors that history of practicality, while doing it with a much more fashion-forward eye; even the most pragmatic consumer should appreciate good design, and features that enrich their day-to-day.
