Mahindra Centuro Road Test Review: The Feature - Rich Commuter

The pros: Full digital instrument cluster showing service reminder, clock and distance to empty feature. Comfortable seat, CDI ignition system and enhanced mileage.

The cons: Engine kill switch is missing, seat is not wide,

The crux: Mahindra Centuro is a good bike with good driving dynamics, and one who is willing for more in the segment can opt the Centuro.

Rating

The 100-110cc commuter segment rules the Indian two-wheeler industry as the majority share comes from this segment and Mahindra Two-wheelers, which is a relatively new entrant in the fierce Indian two-wheeler market also knows this pretty well. Therefore, in their second attempt in motorcycles follows two back to back launches in 100-110cc segment.

The company came to existence after Mahindra & Mahindra acquired Kinetic in 2008. The company is selling a range of scooter quite successfully and now they are claiming a share in motorcycles as well. Earlier Mahindra launched a 110cc commuter called Stallio, which hadn't succeed.

This time around Mahindra Two-wheelers is looking more prepared and they first launched Pantero, and now the all new Centuro. For us, the Centuro is the first bike of Mahindra's second inning as the Pantero is more of a revised Stallio. We got a chance to ride the Centuro on its launch, we rode the bike in the Pink City Jaipur, where we tested it in busy walled city and checked its capabilities.

Styling:

The 100-110 cc segment is a value based segment and manufacturers try to concentrate on pricing and performance, thus the styling hasn't been a big aspect for this segment. But, in recent years the segment has changed and bikes like Discover 100T, Passion XPRO and Dream Yuga raised the bar. Mahindra Centuro is also upto the standards, and features better styling. The bike uses the same panels that of the Pantero, but better graphics sets it apart from the Pantero. Starting from the front, which has a bigger and bolder headlight coupled with LED pilot lamps and cowl with bikini fairing make it look sportier.

Apart from twin-molded bars, which is being called 'Golden ribs', the Centuro uses same fuel tank, tailpiece, LED tail lights and the grab handle that of the Pantero. However, the turn indicators are different to match with the bigger headlight. There is also small engine belly fairing near foot rests to add sportier feel to the bike. Fit and finish, paint job and material quality are according to the segment. However, we didn't like the Mojo like ribs and over use of graphics on the panels.

Switch Gear and Ergonomics:

When it comes to the switch gear, Centuro comes with very basic one, apart from this, it comes with pass light switch and choke, but misses the engine kill switch. The most exciting is the full digital instrument cluster with an analog tachometer. The three pod instrument cluster can be parted in three parts, with a centrally placed dial, which has analog tachometer and digital speedometer with economy indicator. The other two parts include two trip meters, service reminder, clock and distance to empty feature, which have been introduced in the segment for the first time.

The usual shift light, high beam and other tell-tale lights are placed above the console. Above all, it comes with unique key fob, which has a foldable key with a LED torch and three unique features guide me home headlights, locate your bike with a buzzing sound, while flashing the indicators and an engine immbolizer, which gets active, when it detects a false key onboard. The Centuro gets upright seating position with rear set foot pegs, which makes it comfortable for long journeys. The seat itself is comfortable as it is well cushioned and not very wide. The fuel tank provides thigh support. All in all the ergonomics suit daily commuting.

Engine and Performance:

The Centuro gets its power from a single-cylinder, over-square, 106cc, 2-valve engine which produces a maximum power output of 8.5bhp at 7500rpm with a peak torque of 8.5Nm at 5500rpm. The engine is similar to the Pantero, however there are some changes, this engine now has new CDI with revised intake and exhaust timing for better driveability. Also Mahindra has fitted a new patented lubrication system which is called 'jet flow', it ensures engine oil circulation at any speed.

We liked the rev happy nature of this engine, it feels smooth most of the time and NVH levels are excellent. The bike has a good low-end performance, which makes it easy to drive in city traffic. The 106cc motor pulls strongly and mid-ranges are strong however, you have to put efforts once it passes 6500rpm to hit the top-speed of 90 km/hr, which comes somewhere around 9000rpm. The all-up 4-speed gearbox is smooth but not at par with Dream Yuga. Gear ratios are well defined and on the taller side and you will like the taller 4th gear, which pulls from 20kmph to 90kmph. Mahindra claims the Centuro has the highest mileage in the segment which is an astonishing 85.4 km/l. We received an impressive 68kmph in city.

Riding and Handling:

The Mahindra Centuro comes equipped with the same double cradle frame chassis as the Pantero. The bike is equipped with telescopic suspension at the front and five-step adjustable rear shocks, which take care of most of the pot holes. The bike also gets 18-inch wheels with grippy MRF tyres, which provides a better grip on all kind of terrains. The Centuro weighs only 110 kgs, which makes it easy to maneuver it city traffic and also returns a better power-to-weight ratio. It feels confident around the corners, but it could be better. Also it uses the old-school tubular swingarm, we would prefer a more rigid box section swingarm. The comes with a set of 130mm drum brakes at both front and rear, looking at other features, a disc brake at front would have been welcomed. However, as Mahindra has launched the bike only in a single variant, we can expect a disc brake variant in future, though the drum brakes do their duty quite well.

Verdict:

Mahindra wants to target the buyers, who demand more features in the 100-110cc segment and the Centuro has the potential to attract that buyer as the bike comes with some very good features. Mahindra Centuro is a good bike with good driving dynamics, and one who is willing for more in the segment can opt the Centuro.

Mahindra Centuro 110 Specifications

Mahindra Centuro 110 price in India- Rs. 45,000 (Ex-showroom,Delhi)

Mahindra Centuro 110 Mileage- 85.4kmpl (ARAI Certified)
 

Mahindra Centuro 110 Engine

Engine: Single Cylinder, 4-stroke, Air cooled, Mci-5 engine

Displacement : 106.7 cc

Bore X Stroke : 52.4 X 49.5 mm

Maximum Power : 8.5 PS @ 7500 rpm

Maximum Torque : 8.5 Nm @ 5500 rpm

Starting System : Electric Start / Kick Start

Transmission: Gear Box , Constant mesh 4 Speed
 

Mahindra Centuro 110 Design:

Frame : Double cradle steel Tubular structure

Mahindra Centuro 110 Suspension:

Suspension front- Telescopic , Coil spring

Suspension rear- Coiled 5-step adjustable

 

Mahindra Centuro 110 Brakes:

Brake FRONT- Drum – 130 mm

REAR : Drum – 130 mm

Mahindra Centuro 110 Tyres:

Tyre Size: FRONT - 2.75” x 18”

REAR - 3.0” x 18”

 

Mahindra Centuro 110 Electrical and other Features:

Battery:

Electric Start - 12V / 6 Ah

Kick Start - 12V / 2.5 Ah

Headlamp - 12 V – 35W/35W – Halogen (Multi-reflector)

Tail lamp- LED Type

Speedometer - Digital / Analog

Dry Weight - 110.5 kg

Kerb Weight (90% fuel filled) - 120Kg

White Twin Pilot Lamps -LED Type

 

Mahindra Centuro 110 Dimensions:

Overall Length : 2031 mm

Overall Width : 735 mm

Overall Height : 1111 mm

Seat Height : 800 mm

Wheel Base : 1265 mm

Minimum Ground Clearance : 165 mm

Fuel Tank Capacity : 12.7 liters