Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Test Ride Review

First launched in the year of 2006, the Bajaj Platina series was one of the quintessential motorcycles that shaped the vastly popular commuter segment in our country. The Platina 110 H Gear is the latest contribution by the esteemed Indian brand.

Apart from bragging the title of being the premium Platina, the Platina 110 is new and improved with a slew of modern features such as ‘H Gear’ or rather plainly put – a five-speed gearbox, an anti-skid braking system or an integrated braking system that applies both the front and rear brake to provide for a better-balanced result, and a ‘ComforTec’ seat which is basically a long and wide, quilted seat. What do these updates mean on the road? How does this motorcycle fare amongst the competition? Is it a value-for-money investment? Find out all about the above and much more in this detailed research analysis on the convenient commuter, the Platina 110 H Gear.

Pros: Comfortable Seating, Five-Speed Gearbox, Impressive Fuel-Efficiency, Sufficient Braking

Cons: Dated Styling And Design, Small Section Tyres, Vibrations At Higher Speeds

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Design

The Platina 110 is marketed as a simplistic and reliable commuter. The design cues go hand-in-hand with the reputation of this motorcycle. At the front, we have a six-spoke alloy wheel fitted with a golden-flushed disc-brake calliper and a black fender adorned with stickering details. The headlight unit consists of a brightly lit DRL and the primary halogen bulb. The headlight dome in itself is elegantly wrapped with stickering accents. The fuel tank is smartly sculpted in a circular fashion and the embossed ‘Platina’ logo in golden highlights is truly appealing. The handlebar and the front telescopic suspension are chromed, providing a unique contrast to the aesthetic appeal.

As we move along to the rear, the striped seat and the side panels below it look quite cool against the backdrop of the blacked-out engine area. The side-mounted exhaust equipped with a chromed-out crash/heat guard is also a pretty element. The twin shock absorbers at the rear are also given the golden treatment similar to the front brake calliper. The rear indicators and the pillion grabrails complete the essence of this minimalistic motorcycle. The Platina 110 and the younger sibling – the Platina 100 share majority of the design-defining components between them, making both look highly indistinguishable.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Features

For a relatively affordable commuter motorcycle, the Platina 110 hosts an impressive list of functional features. The instrument cluster is semi-digital, meaning the speedometer is analogue whereas the odometer, trip meter, tell-tale lights, clock, gear-position indicator, and the fuel gauge is completely digital.

On the mechanical side of things, the Platina 110 is equipped with a 115.5cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, fuel-injected engine featuring a convenient kick-start option. The rear-view mirrors provide a good line of sight and look quite good in the black paint job.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Engine Performance

The Platina 110 hosts a 115.5cc, air-cooled, single-cylinder, DTS-i, fuel-injected engine mated to a five-speed gearbox producing 8.44 bhp at 7000 RPM and 9.81 Nm of torque at 5000 RPM. This motorcycle has a peppy and responsive low and mid-range that’s sufficient for commuting duties. On the highway, with the inclusion of the ‘H Gear’ or the fifth gear, cruising at the speed of around 60-80 km/h is fairly easy. The top speed on this motorcycle is recorded at 100-110 km/h, but, is heavily riddled with vibrations at that range.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Mileage (or Fuel Efficiency)

The Platina 110 is a highly fuel-efficient motorcycle. In the city, one can expect anywhere between 55-59 km/l. On the highway, you can expect around 59-63 km/l. The fuel tank of 11-litres offers a total riding range of up to 650-700 km.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Handling (or Dynamics)

The Platina 110 is quick to respond and agile at handling. Aiding the same are telescopic forks at the front and nitrox rear suspension that provide for smooth, grounded, and seamless ride quality. The tube cradle frame does a great job distributing the kerb weight of 122 kg across the body of this motorcycle.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Comfort (or Ergonomics)

The Platina 110 is a highly comfortable motorcycle, for both, the pillion and the rider. The foot-pegs for both the occupants are front set, resulting in a relaxed seating position. The handlebar is propped up at an angle that further amplifies comfort. The seat height is 804 mm, a height that is practical for riders of all builds. The seat itself is a single piece, meaning it’s not split and also very soft. The low kerb weight of 122 kg also contributes to a comfortable riding experience.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Safety (or Brakes)

The Platina 110 is a sure-footed stopper on the road. The braking on this motorcycle is assisted by a 240 mm disc at the front and a 110 mm rear drum brake. The braking ability of this motorcycle is further improved by the addition of ‘CBS’ or the combined braking system that ensures both the brakes are evenly applied for a stable and balanced braking performance. The highly comfortable seating posture and the kerb weight of 122 kg also aid braking on this motorcycle.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Service

Bajaj being a well-established motorcycle brand has stood the test of time and proved resilient in all its endeavours. They offer a wide range of authorised service centres and showrooms across the country where people can buy their motorcycles and get them promptly serviced, at an affordable cost. The average service interval for the Platina 110 is anywhere between 6000 to 8000 km, this particular two-wheeler should cost you somewhere between Rs. 500/- to Rs. 1500/- for its service.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Price

Following is the price of the Platina 110 (on-road, Mumbai) –

  • Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear – Rs. 79,135/-

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Resale Value

Bajaj is a brand that promises motorcycles that are easy to maintain, sturdy, and have a respectable build quality. The Platina 110 should have a fairly adequate resale value depending on the mileage on the odometer, accidents (if any), and overall maintenance.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Colours

The Bajaj Platina 110 is available in the following colours.

  • Black
  • Red

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Specs

  • Engine: 115.5cc, Air-Cooled, Single-Cylinder, DTS-i
  • Power: 8.44 bhp at 7000 RPM
  • Torque: 9.81 Nm at 5000 RPM
  • Transmission: 5-Speed
  • Fuel Type: Petrol
  • Fuel Consumption: 55-63 km/l
  • Frame: Single Down-Tube Cradle Frame
  • Tyres: 80/100/17 (Front), 80/100/17 (Rear)
  • Suspension: Telescopic Forks (Front), Nitrox Rear Suspension (Rear)
  • Brakes: 240 mm Disc (Front), 110 mm Drum (Rear)

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Dimensions

  • Length x Width x Height: 2006 mm x 713 mm x 1100 mm
  • Ground Clearance: 200 mm
  • Seat Height: 804 mm
  • Wheelbase: 1255 mm
  • Fuel Tank Capacity: 11-litres
  • Kerb weight: 122 kg

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear Rating

We give the Platina 110 a 4/5 rating.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear vs TVS Star City Plus

The TVS Star City Plus is an ideal commuter motorcycle with its comfortable seating, fuel-efficient engine, and low-cost investment. On paper, both motorcycles produce similar power figures. While the fuel efficiency on the TVS motorcycle is considerably more, it’s under-equipped with a four-speed gearbox along with front and rear drum brakes. This motorcycle also misses out on single-channel ABS. The TVS Star City inches ahead in the aesthetic aspect with five different options to choose from and a LED headlight. The pricing between the two commuters is greatly similar, but, we feel the Platina 110 takes home the win in this comparison.

Bajaj Platina 110 H Gear vs Honda CD 110 Dream

The Honda CD 110 Dream is Honda’s entry-level commuter market motorcycle part of the ‘Dream’ series. Although this motorcycle lacks a few features, the engine performance and the fuel-efficiency figures are impressive. The front and rear 130 mm drum brakes are quite underwhelming, but, the kerb weight is just 112 kg. The four-speed gearbox is surprisingly practical as this motorcycle returns a company claimed mileage of 74 km/l. The Honda CD 110, astonishingly, has eight colour options to choose from. The Bajaj Platina 110 undercuts the Honda motorcycle by close to Rs. 4000/-. In a highly cost-conscious market of consumers, this can be a make-or-break factor for the Honda CD 110 Dream in this comparison.

Final Verdict

In the sea of affordable commuter motorcycles in India, it’s easy for you, the consumer, to get lost in the long list of options. The Bajaj Platina 110, however, has done well for itself in establishing a unique reputation in the market. The front disc brake and the five-speed gearbox are both class-leading factors that have helped the Bajaj motorcycle stand out from the crowd. The cheap maintenance cost coupled with the impressive fuel efficiency further aids the value of the Platina 110. The icing on the cake is the price of this motorcycle itself, pricing that undercuts various other motorcycles in this segment that have lesser to offer. We hope this article has helped provide some clarity and hopefully aided you before your big purchase. Thank you for reading and ride safely. Cheers!