The Bajaj V15 is made from the metal of India's first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
For perhaps the first time ever, a commuter motorcycle made the front pages of more than just automotive portals and publications. That's because the Bajaj V15 is more than just that. It's a brilliant case study in marketing, a salute to patriotism and a segment-breaker. Now, not all these points are necessarily important to the person who'll consider this as his next motorcycle but it definitely doesn't hurt the V15's chances. Especially when you consider that most in the commuter segment largely play by the same safe rules.
Overall dimensions itself are a radical departure from the commuter segment. A smaller rear wheel than the front? Unheard of. A single seat? You'd have to be mad.
The V15 on the other hand, doesn't. Not in the least. The overall dimensions itself are a radical departure from the segment. A smaller rear wheel than the front? Unheard of, except in the case of a cruiser. A single seat? You'd have to be mad, unless you were building a café racer. Yet, the V uses these elements successfully. No surprise then, that it looks a bit like a cruiser motorcycle backed into a café racer. It's a look that works though, with the muscular 13-litre tank being the centre of mass on the bike.
Neutral light especially useful since neutral is right at the bottom of the one-direction gearbox.
The tank is also the centre of the buzz around the V15. Because it's made with the metal from an aircraft carrier, the INS Vikrant. Sure, a motorcycle made from a ship is pretty cool but what makes it momentous is that the Vikrant was India's first aircraft carrier and was an integral part in launching the offensive in the 1971 Indo-Pak war. A highly decorated service vessel, the ship was decommissioned in 1997 and further served as a naval museum until the Indian Navy could no longer keep it afloat. It was dismantled and the scrap metal was put up for sale, which is where the brilliance of Bajaj's advertising agency and their marketing department come in. The idea to use the metal from the INS Vikrant in a motorcycle was floated and it neatly coincided with Bajaj's plans for a 150cc commuter that would break the mould.
Made with the metal of INS Vikrant, this insignia greets you every time you get on. It does make you feel good about what you're riding.
Things fall to hand easily from the rider's seat, except the clutch lever that was set to engage much further out than I'm comfortable with. Seating is typically commuter, with the large tank adding to the sense of solidness that this bike has a healthy dose of.
Switchgear is basic and falls to hand easily, though a pass switch for low beam/high beam would’ve come in handy.
This is especially characterized by the new 149.5cc engine. New, despite Bajaj having three choices in the Discover, Pulsar and Avenger powerplants. This 2-valve engine was built to make torque available low in the rev range. And it does, making its marginally higher peak figure 1,000rpm earlier than its siblings. This means it takes off from standstill quite eagerly, while sounding more full-bodied than the other commuters out there. Unique to Bajaj is the all-up configuration of the 5-speed gearbox and you'll have to use it often to make progress since gearing is short but when you reach a speed breaker, you can get away with downshifting to second or even third gear. The V15 will not urge you to shift into first by lugging or forcing you to ride the clutch. This was the best part of my experience with the motorcycle and I found myself in traffic in what I thought was first gear, only to realise I was actually in second.
V badges replace Bajaj, with the Bajaj logo only present on the engine cover and dash.
Also surprising is how the Bajaj takes corners. As a commuter, the ride had better be good and it is. But thanks to the gas charged shocks and mainly the wide rear rubber, the V15 remains very sure in corners, even at speed. More relevantly, it also feels composed over bad roads. Braking is progressive and sufficient to slow you down without drama, with confidence helped by the firmness offered from the 33mm front forks that are wider than the competition.
Verdict
It may only be available in Pearl White or Ebony Black but the V15 stands for choice to the consumer. It's uniqueness isn't the only thing going for it either. Fit and finish, especially of paint, is great. Ride quality is composed, tending towards firm. The engine makes good torque though the gearbox could have been smoother. For the price of most 125cc motorcycles, you get a 150cc that ticks the right boxes for the Indian commuter and also has the legacy of a 40,000 ton war hero behind it.
Seat cowl can be removed in minutes with the allen key integrated into the key fob of the motorcycle. This and the red grab rail make up the mandatory accessories pack, that also includes crash and saree guards.
