If you think we at The Quint only talk about big, fancy bikes, then you’ll be glad to know that today, we’re featuring two of the latest and the most popular bikes in the country right now – the Bajaj Discover and the Hero Passion Pro.
Both these bikes are part of the largest selling bike segment in the country – 110 cc. Bajaj and Hero have upgraded their entry-level bikes for 2018. Here’s a spec by spec comparison of what you get for the price.
Design
(Photo: The Quint)
Entry-level bikes have never been known for their looks, style or design, and nothing changes with these two bikes either. Both Bajaj and Hero understand the psyche of the buyer in this segment and what they’re really looking for – practicality over finesse, and rightly so.
Also Read: Hero Motocorp Upgrades 110 and 125cc Commuter Bikes for 2018
The new variant of Passion Pro gets some cosmetic changes, like the addition of graphics and change in the shape of headlights, but it sticks to offering an analog speedometer, which the company says is justified due to the price point.
The Discover 110 variant from Bajaj, however, gets more than just minor cosmetic changes. They’ve added LED daytime running headlamps, while tail lamps get textured.
The speedometer is half analog and half digital (as seen above). The company also claims to have restyled the decals, with textured seating for the comfort of riders.
We’ve got to say, Bajaj is clearly better than Hero in this segment, and the addition of new features also helps cement that.
Power
Hero has been accommodating the Honda-made engine for its commuter bikes till date, but with the Passion Pro, the engine in tow has been made in-house – the engine still has to pass the daily riding test, which shows the true value of the bike’s engine.
Bajaj continues to use its tried-and-tested DTSi engine, which offers sufficient amount of power and torque for daily commuting.
Both Bajaj and Hero have paired the engine with a 4-speed gearbox
Though Hero is offering more power compared to Bajaj, their use of a 109 cc engine (compared to 115 cc unit from Bajaj) ensures that the difference in output isn’t significant.
We can’t comment on how both the manufacturers have improved on their latest models (since we’re yet to ride both the bikes), but it’s an interesting battle between these two commuter bikes that promise longevity but definitely compromise on the safety features.
Speaking of which...
More Features
So, what else are both these brands offering (or not) with these models? Hero is offering (optional) a variant with disc brakes.
The bike weighs 116 kilograms, and unlike Bajaj, Hero is content using basic AHO headlamps. Having said that, you do get a 12.5-litre fuel tank with the Passion Pro, while Bajaj manages to fit a smaller 8-litre tank on its Discover 110, which isn’t ideal for those taking the long road.
There is no option of disc brakes in the Bajaj Discover 110. With a small-sized fuel tank, Bajaj clearly hasn’t thought through its practicality for bikers in this segment.
Which One to Pick?
Going by what’s on offer, it’s hard to go not choose the Bajaj Discover 110. It’s got all the bells and whistles that a daily commuter would require. Hero, with the Passion Pro, is entering a new era, especially with its first in-house engine being used on this two-wheeler.
While Bajaj has clearly gone for the finesse (fully trusting its reliable engine), Hero has decided to mix things up by offering some cosmetic improvements, while also ensuring that the Passion Pro is a workhorse.
Bajaj Discover 110 is priced from Rs 50,496 (ex-showroom), and we still don’t know the pricing of the Passion Pro from Hero, which is likely to be announced in the coming weeks.
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