Bajaj V15 Power Up

Inspired by the rich history of the country’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, the Pune-based two-wheel manufacturer has crafted a robust and tough body dynamics for Bajaj V15 Power Up. The offering comes as a 150cc commuter motorcycle built from the pride metal of INS Vikrant and fills the space between Bajaj Discover 150 and Bajaj Pulsar 150. Bajaj V15 sports a sturdy body dynamics that displays the look of a bold café racer and provides the riding comfort of a modern cruiser. The front portion of the bike follows a conventional no-nonsense design theme, while the side look is a conduct of smooth flowing lines displaying toughness. The distinguished neo-retro styling of the bike flows effortlessly to the rear portion, which is complemented by a classy tail lamp unit.

The commuter draws power from a 150cc, single cylinder, air cooled, DTS-i engine that produces a maximum power output of 13PS at 8000rpm and 13Nm of torque at 6000rpm. Along with the decent power figures, Bajaj V15 is claimed to offer a mileage figure of 57kmpl. A 5-speed trasmission with a one-down-four-up shift pattern transfers power to the rear wheel. The V15 features sure-footed rear tyre unit and an appreciable riding experience inferable from its suspension assembly consisting of telescopic fork suspension at the front and Nitrox twin shock absorbers at the rear end. Bajaj V 150 cc allows you to choose between 4 equally impressive colour options that include – Ocean Blue, Ebony Black, Pearl White, and Heroic Red. Bajaj has priced the V15 Power Up at Rs 66,739 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) to compete against the likes of Honda CB Unicorn 150 and Hero Achiever 150. 

The Bajaj V15 pays homage to the famed aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, and uses metal from India’s first aircraft carrier. The bike exudes a neo-retro feel, with smooth lines on the front and sides and a curvy tail section. Bajaj has equipped the motorcycle with an analogue instrument cluster that houses a speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer and other tell-tale lights. For added pillion comfort, the 2018 model gets a cushioned backrest too.

The Bajaj V15 draws power from a 149.5cc single-cylinder engine which pushes out 12PS at 7500rpm and 12.7Nm at 5500rpm. Mated to a 5-speed transmission, Bajaj says this motor helps the V15 return 55kmpl in real-world conditions.

Powering the robust commuter is the 150 cc air-cooled, single cylinder unit that comes integrated with Bajaj’s DTS-i technology. This motor is engineered meticulously to generate a maximum power of 13PS at 8000rpm and 13Nm of torque at 6000rpm. The refinement that goes into the development of this engine allows it to yield a fuel efficiency of 57 kmpl (claimed). Meshed to the engine is the seamless 5-speed transmission unit that enables smooth gear transition and allows the rider to attain a top-speed of 109 kmph. The engine is calibrated well to offer you a distinguished growl while throttling. 

The Bajaj V15 rolls on wide 120-section rear rubber and a 90-section front tyre. They offer pretty decent grip for normal usage, but does not exactly inspire confidence for spirited cornering. The 33mm front telescopic forks and Nitrox twin shock absorbers at the rear offer good ride quality over bad roads.

The braking setup consists of a 240mm front disc and a 130mm rear drum. They offer good bite but could do more with progression and feel. Unfortunately, they do not feature CBS nor ABS, even as an option.

The 2018 Bajaj V15 now comes with Auto Headlamp On (AHO) unit that ensures better visibility during daytime, thus reducing the risk of accidents marginally. Bajaj has not offered ABS or CBS for this motorcycle yet. Expect the brand to introduce single-channel ABS soon to comply with upcoming safety norms.