The Bajaj Discover was a line of commuter motorcycles built by Bajaj Auto. It was launched in 2004 and became a strong seller in India, but too many versions under one name confused buyers and sales fell. Production ended in March 2020 and the model was replaced by the Bajaj Pulsar 125.
Bajaj Discover at a glance
| Maker | Bajaj Auto, India |
|---|---|
| Class | Commuter motorcycle |
| Launched | 2004, 125 cc |
| Added | 112 cc in December 2005, 135 cc in 2007 |
| Further engines | 100 cc in 2009, 150 cc later |
| 125ST | new body design in 2012 |
| 150S and 150F | 2014 |
| Discontinued | March 2020 |
| Replaced by | Bajaj Pulsar 125 |
| Claimed mileage (125) | 101 km/l at launch |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Discover.
History of the Bajaj Discover
Launch in 2004
The first Discover had a 125 cc engine and was claimed to return 101 km per litre. It was the second Bajaj model, after the Pulsar, to use six-spoke alloy wheels, and it introduced the patented Exhaus-TEC resonator, which boosted torque at low engine speeds. It also used Bajaj’s DTS-i digital twin spark ignition, already known from the Pulsar 150 and 180.
At launch buyers could choose between four versions, from a basic round-headlamp bike with spoke wheels, drum brakes and kick start to an alloy-wheeled model with a disc brake, self-start, fairing and tachometer. In mid-2005 Bajaj cut the range to a single variant with new graphics, a black grab rail, spring-in-spring suspension and a host of engine refinements.
Growing range
A 112 cc version appeared in December 2005. A 135 cc model followed in 2007 with a front disc brake, self-start, nitrox suspension, black alloy wheels and an analogue tachometer. A 100 cc Discover with a DTS-Si engine was added in 2009; its success led to a 150 cc version and the end of the 135. The 125 was relaunched in 2011.
In 2012 the 125ST brought an entirely new body and graphics. Three models based on it, the 100 T, 100M and 125 T, arrived in 2013 with a four-valve twin-spark engine. The 100M was sold on a mileage claim of 84 km/l. In 2014 came two 150 cc models, the naked 150S and the faired 150F, both using the four-valve DTS-i engine from the 125ST. In 2019 Bajaj returned to the traditional Discover shape with a new 125 cc version.
Why it ended
The Discover range was discontinued in March 2020. Bajaj had launched too many models under one name and kept retiring older ones quietly, which unsettled owners and confused buyers. New versions were positioned differently under the same Discover label, sales fell, and the line gave way to the Pulsar 125.
Design and features
- Exhaus-TEC: a resonator that improved low-speed torque, first used on the Discover.
- DTS-i and DTS-Si engines: Bajaj’s twin-spark ignition in several displacements.
- Six-spoke alloys: the second Bajaj line to offer them after the Pulsar.
- Wide choice: four versions at launch, from basic to disc-braked and faired.
- ST styling: the 2012 125ST introduced the family’s most distinctive body.
Bajaj Discover versions
- Discover 125 (2004): the original model, 101 km/l claimed.
- Discover 112 (2005): smaller engine added in December 2005.
- Discover 135 (2007): front disc, nitrox suspension, analogue tachometer.
- Discover 100 (2009): DTS-Si engine, later joined by a 150.
- Discover 125ST (2012): new body and graphics.
- Discover 100T, 100M, 125T (2013): four-valve twin-spark engines.
- Discover 150S and 150F (2014): naked and faired 150 cc models.
- Discover 125 (2019): final return to the traditional design.
The Discover sat below the Bajaj Pulsar in the range and shared its DTS-i technology; the Platina was the other main Bajaj commuter. More models are in the Bajaj collection.
Sources
- Bajaj Discover, English Wikipedia: history, variants, discontinuation
