Bajaj Platina 110 H-Gear: Road Test Review

Does the addition of a 5th gear make the Platina a better all-round 110cc bike?

Here’s an interesting fact. According to Bajaj, the new Platina 110 H-Gear does not have a 5th gear. Instead, the manufacturer calls it the ‘Highway Gear’. Bajaj’s says that the 5th gear in a commuter motorcycle like the Platina is meant more for highway use and by calling it a ‘Highway Gear’, it wants to change the Indian rider's mindset of shifting to the highest gear at low city speeds. So does the additional cog make the Platina 110 H-Gear an all-rounder capable of taking on narrow city streets as well as the highway? Let’s find out.

Pros:

• Digital console with gear position indicator
• Long and comfortable seat
• Gets a larger disc brake

Cons:

• False neutrals between 4th and 5th gear
• Headlamp could have offered better illumination
• No side stand indicator

Standout features:

The additional gear makes for a stress-free ride out on the highway. 

Design:

The Platina 110 H-Gear retains the standard Platina’s design but gets new graphics as well as a gold coloured 3D logo. Like the top-spec Platina 100, the new variant gets Y-spoke alloy wheels. It also gets a new semi-digital instrument console that is well-finished and looks upmarket. Black is the only paint option you get, but the new Platina does get three different decal colour options -- Blue, Burgundy or Wine Red. The rest of the bike gets a blacked-out treatment with the exception of the rear shock absorbers which get a gold finish for the springs. Overall, these changes make the Platina look premium. If we were to nitpick, we would have preferred a flush fitting fuel filler cap. 

Ergonomics:

Like most commuter motorcycles, the Platina 110 H-Gear has an upright riding stance. It gets tall handlebars that are easy to reach. 

The new seat gets a ribbed pattern with extra cushioning, improving both rider and pillion comfort. The pillion has very little to complain about on long journeys. The rider seat height is on the taller side, but the narrow front portion helps the rider place both feet on the ground with ease. The Platina also gets pillion foot pads instead of footpegs.

Technology and Features:

The Platina 110 H-Gear gets a new semi-digital instrument console with a gear position indicator. It also gets a shift indicator that informs the rider shift up or down the cogs at the appropriate time to save fuel. The gear position indicator is a isn’t load-based. Instead, it uses engine speed and wheel speed to calculate the appropriate time to shift up or down. Other than that, the instrument console houses an odometer, a trip meter and shows the time as well as the fuel level. It gets a bright LED DRL but the rest of the lighting system is still fairly conventional. The Platina 110 H-Gear gets a 240mm front disc (up from 220mm on the Platina 110) and combined braking system. This setup has a mechanical linkage that starts from the front brake lever and connects it to the rear brake. 

Despite bearing the Platina 110 moniker, this bike actually has a 115cc motor. This air-cooled, single cylinder unit delivers 8.6PS and a best-in-class 9.81Nm of torque. It gets a 5-speed gearbox with a linkage from the gear shaft to the gear lever for a more positive shift feel. The shifter position remains the same as the regular Platina 110 though. 

Despite having better power figures, the Platina 110 H-Gear is a tad slower to 60kmph owing to its extra kerb weight. The shorter gearing of the initial set of cogs gives the Platina better low-speed drive than the Radeon, which in turn results in better tractability and roll-on times. In the city, you can ride the Platina in 4th gear. You can ride the bike in 5th at speeds as low as 35kmph if you want to, but 4th gear is where you really want to be in the city. The relaxed motor means that this Platina offers a better fuel efficiency figure than its competitors.

The motor is one of the most refined 110cc units we have tested so far. Out on the highway, thanks to the tall 5th gear, you can ride all day at speeds of 70kmph with the motor feeling unstressed. There is no strain or vibrations like other 100-110cc motors. Just a mild buzz at the footpegs and handlebars. At speeds of 60-65kmph, the Platina 110 H-Gear offers an impressive fuel economy of 76.82kmpl. These fuel efficiency figures make the Platina 110 H-Gear the most fuel efficient bike we have tested so far. 

Overall the motor is a refined unit but could do with some low-end grunt. But it impresses at highway speeds with its unstressed cruising nature. 

Ride and Handling:

Despite being one of the heaviest 110cc bike around, the Platina feels nimble on its feet. It is easy to ride around within city limits while its extremely small turning radius is quite handy. The skinny tyres work well on dry roads but do not inspire confidence in wet road conditions. 

On the suspension front, the Platina gets conventional forks and twin gas-charged rear shock absorbers. These are tuned keeping two-up riding in mind. Riding solo, you do feel a little jolt when going over sharp road imperfections. The ride feels sorted with a pillion on board.