2009 Bajaj XCD 135 review, test ride

The new 135 is a stylish, sporty option buyers looking at the XCD brand could consider

Published on Apr 24, 2009 07:00:00 AM

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DTS-Si or Digital Twin Spark- Swirl induction is Bajaj’s patented engine technology to generate improved fuel economy. In keeping with the XCD 135 DTS-Si’s sporty ambitions, the original XCD’s four-stroke, 124.58cc engine has increased cubic capacity to 134.6cc. While the 54mm bore dimensions are retained, stroke has increased length to 58.8mm.

This single-cylinder engine runs air cooled with healthy swirl playing a crucial role in its character. Swirl is a manner of pumping air-fuel charge into combustion with good horizontal turbulence. One of the tools the XCD 135 DTS-Si uses to achieve this is offset ports. Twin spark plugs also sit offset at the front and rear of the engine while Bajaj informs us the DTS-Si motor is clever enough to individually control the interval as well as strength at which each plug fires. Bearing-equipped rocker arms cut down on friction within the twin-valve-equipped engine.

The self-starter-equipped XCD also uses an automatic choke that worked flawlessly throughout our test. And an exhausTEC resonance chamber sits piggyback on its silencer to boost low end power.

The new XCD develops maximum power of 10.2bhp at 7500rpm as compared to 9.5bhp built up at 7000rpm on the XCD 125. The XCD 135 engine makes a maximum torque of 1.18kgm at 5000rpm and is adequately smooth and vibe-free at all times during operation. There’s a good spread of power across the rev band, and throttle response is nice too.

The XCD 135 comes with an all-down pattern, smooth-shifting and five-speed gearbox. Clutch feel though can improve; there was a little lag apparent between releasing the lever and actual clutch actuation on our test bike.

On the performance front, the 135 is quicker than the 125, doing 0-60kph in 6.99 seconds (versus 7.09sec for the 125) and reaching a top speed of 97kph during our acceleration tests.