For nearly two decades, the Bajaj Platina has represented the quintessential Indian commuter motorcycle—trustworthy, fuel-efficient, and comfortable, if somewhat unexciting. Now, in a surprising expansion of the nameplate, Bajaj Auto has introduced the first-ever Platina 150, elevating the trusted commuter formula with additional power, enhanced features, and a broader capability range that positions it as something genuinely new in the competitive Indian motorcycle market.
The unveiling at Bajaj’s Chakan facility last week revealed a motorcycle that respects its utilitarian roots while confidently stepping into new territory. “The Platina 150 represents our understanding that commuter motorcycle customers’ needs are evolving,” explained Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto. “Today’s rider wants daily practicality but increasingly desires weekend versatility—the ability to comfortably venture beyond city limits without investing in a second motorcycle.”
This dual-purpose positioning creates an intriguing new option in a market segment where practical considerations typically outweigh excitement. Has Bajaj successfully balanced these seemingly contradictory priorities? After spending a day with the new Platina 150 on roads ranging from congested urban streets to winding country highways, I’m convinced they’ve created something genuinely distinct in the commuter landscape.
Design: Familiar Yet Substantial
The Platina 150 maintains recognizable family design elements while establishing a more substantial presence. The basic silhouette remains distinctly Platina—upright riding position, comfortable seat, and practical proportions—but with dimensional and visual adjustments that communicate its elevated capability.
“We didn’t want to abandon the Platina’s identity,” notes design director Sarang Kanade. “Instead, we selectively enhanced elements to create a more confident stance while preserving the approachability that makes a Platina a Platina.”
The fuel tank, slightly larger at 13.5 liters (up from 11 liters on the 110cc variant), features more pronounced knee recesses and sharper character lines that flow into redesigned side panels. The seat retains the generous length that accommodates both rider and passenger comfortably but now features a two-step design with subtle bolstering that provides better support during longer rides.
While maintaining recognizable oval headlamp geometry, the front end incorporates a small tinted windscreen—a first for any Platina—that provides meaningful wind protection during highway stretches. LED lighting is standard throughout, with a distinctive light signature that incorporates a subtle “Π” element in both headlamp and taillight designs.
Ground clearance has increased to 180mm (from 165mm on the standard Platina), accommodating the larger engine while providing better obstacle clearance on rough roads. The wheelbase stretches to 1,345mm (up 40mm), enhancing straight-line stability without excessively compromising maneuverability.
Perhaps the most evident visual differentiation comes from the new 17-inch alloy wheels with a distinctive five-spoke pattern finished in matte black. Wrapped in 80/100 front and 100/90 rear tubeless tires, they provide a more substantial contact patch while maintaining reasonable rolling resistance for efficiency.
Color options show a measured departure from traditional Platina offerings. Beyond the expected black and silver options, Bajaj offers a distinctive Canyon Orange and a subdued Forest Green, both featuring subtle graphics that avoid excessive flashiness while providing welcome visual distinction.
Powerplant: Heart of the Transformation
The most significant change, as the name implies, comes from what lies between the frame rails. The new 149.5cc single-cylinder engine shares its basic architecture with the proven unit from Bajaj’s Pulsar range but has been specifically retuned for the Platina’s more utilitarian mission.
Output stands at 13.8 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 13.1 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm—modest by sport bike standards but representing a substantial 65% increase in power and 40% more torque compared to the Platina 110. More importantly, the power delivery has been carefully calibrated for the Platina’s intended use case.
“We’ve focused on creating a torque curve that provides effortless acceleration and relaxed cruising rather than high-end performance,” explains powertrain engineer Vikram Mukherjee. “The engine reaches 90% of its maximum torque at just 3,500 rpm, which translates to excellent rideability in real-world conditions without constant gear changes.”
This characteristic was immediately apparent during the test ride. In city traffic, the Platina 150 pulls cleanly from 35 km/h in top gear with no lugging or hesitation. When the road opens up, it comfortably cruises at 80-90 km/h with the engine turning a relaxed 5,500 rpm, leaving adequate reserves for overtaking without downshifting.
Bajaj has integrated their DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark ignition) technology and incorporated an oil cooler—both firsts for the Platina line—ensuring thermal stability during extended highway use while maintaining exceptional fuel efficiency. The company claims 55 km/l under standardized testing conditions, with real-world expectations of 45-50 km/l in mixed riding.
The five-speed transmission features Bajaj’s newly developed “EasyShift” mechanism, which provides noticeably lighter and more precise gear changes compared to typical commuter motorcycles. The clutch incorporates an assist function that reduces lever effort by approximately 30%—particularly welcome during extended urban riding.
Chassis and Suspension: Balanced Capability
Rather than simply bolting the larger engine into the existing Platina frame, Bajaj has developed a new chassis specifically for the 150 variant. The perimeter down-tube frame utilizes 33% thicker tubing than the standard Platina, providing increased torsional rigidity that enhances stability at higher speeds without excessively increasing weight.
The suspension system represents a significant upgrade while maintaining the comfort-oriented philosophy that has defined the Platina line. The front features 37mm telescopic forks with 160mm travel, while the rear employs Nitrox gas-charged dual shock absorbers with 5-step preload adjustment and 140mm travel.
“We’ve developed what we call ‘Progressive Comfort Technology’ for the suspension tuning,” explains Arjun Narayanan, chassis development lead. “The initial part of the travel is intentionally plush to absorb small road imperfections, with progressive damping that firms up deeper in the stroke to prevent bottoming out over larger obstacles.”
This dual-nature suspension character was evident throughout the test ride. The Platina 150 floats over rough patches and potholes that would unsettle many competitors, yet remains composed when pushed through corners at a brisk pace. There’s noticeable body movement during aggressive riding, but it occurs in a predictable, controlled fashion that never feels unsettling.
Braking performance has seen a substantial upgrade with a 240mm front disc paired with a 130mm rear drum. The system features Combined Braking Technology (CBT) that proportionally activates both brakes when the rear brake is applied—a thoughtful safety feature for less experienced riders. Stopping power proved adequate rather than impressive during testing, with good modulation and feel through the lever.
Comfort and Ergonomics: True to Its Heritage
Despite its performance upgrades, the Platina 150 remains steadfastly committed to rider comfort—the attribute that has perhaps most defined the Platina brand over the years. The riding position is upright and natural, with a wide handlebar positioned to minimize wrist strain and footpegs placed for a relaxed knee angle.
The seat deserves special mention, as Bajaj has clearly devoted significant attention to its design. The dual-density foam provides immediate softness at the surface while maintaining support during longer rides. At 810mm, the seat height represents a 15mm increase over the standard Platina—a compromise between accessibility for shorter riders and adequate leg room for taller ones.
Wind protection from the small windscreen proves surprisingly effective, creating a calm pocket of air around the rider’s torso at highway speeds. Long-distance comfort is further enhanced by the rubber-mounted handlebar and footpegs, which effectively isolate the rider from engine vibration.
During our 200-kilometer test route, which included everything from congested urban streets to open highways, the Platina 150 demonstrated remarkable all-day comfort. Several journalists on the ride, including myself, commented that we felt noticeably less fatigued than expected at the conclusion of the route—perhaps the highest praise possible for a motorcycle in this category.
Technology and Features: Practical Innovation
While maintaining a focus on affordability, the Platina 150 introduces several features previously unseen in the commuter segment. The instrument cluster combines an analog tachometer with a negative LCD display providing speed, fuel level, gear position, two trip meters, and real-time fuel efficiency data.
All variants include a USB-C charging port beneath the seat, while higher trims add a second weatherproof port mounted on the handlebar for powering navigation devices. LED lighting is standard throughout, with a multi-reflector headlamp design that provides exceptional illumination during night riding.
The top-spec variant introduces Bajaj’s “Ride Connect” technology, which pairs with a smartphone application to enable call and message notifications, turn-by-turn navigation prompts, and trip statistics tracking. The system operates through simple icon-based alerts on the instrument panel, providing essential information without causing dangerous distraction.
A particularly thoughtful feature is the “Service Reminder” system that not only tracks time and distance intervals but also monitors actual riding conditions. “The algorithm considers factors like engine temperature, RPM ranges, and throttle position to determine when maintenance is actually needed rather than simply following a fixed schedule,” explains service engineer Priya Ramachandran. “This means more accurate maintenance timing that saves customers both time and money.”
Market Position: Creating Its Own Space
With the Platina 150, Bajaj has created an interesting new option that bridges traditionally separate motorcycle categories. It’s neither a purely utilitarian commuter nor a sport-focused machine, instead occupying a practical middle ground that should appeal to riders with evolving needs.
“We’ve identified a significant segment of customers who start with basic commuting needs but eventually desire more capability without sacrificing practicality,” says marketing director Sumeet Narang. “Rather than forcing these riders to choose between fundamentally different motorcycles, the Platina 150 offers a balanced solution that excels at daily commuting while providing genuine weekend versatility.”
Pricing starts at ₹1,05,900 for the standard variant, with the fully-featured connected variant priced at ₹1,15,900 (all prices ex-showroom). This positions the Platina 150 above traditional 125cc commuters but below similarly-sized sport-focused models like Bajaj’s own Pulsar 150—a deliberate strategy to create its own market space.
Bajaj projects monthly sales of approximately 25,000-30,000 units, targeting existing commuter motorcycle owners looking to upgrade as well as new riders seeking a versatile first motorcycle. Initial production will focus on the domestic market, with export plans for South Asia, Africa, and Latin America in the second quarter of 2025.
Bajaj Platina 150 2025: Redefining Practical Motorcycling
The 2025 Bajaj Platina 150 successfully walks a challenging line between respecting its commuter heritage and expanding into new capability territory. It retains the practical virtues that have made the Platina name trusted—comfort, efficiency, and value—while adding meaningful performance and feature enhancements that broaden its appeal beyond pure utility.
Is it revolutionary? No. But it represents thoughtful evolution that directly addresses the changing needs of its target demographic. For the millions of riders who rely on their motorcycles for daily transportation but increasingly desire weekend recreational ability, the Platina 150 offers a compelling single-motorcycle solution.
During my day with the motorcycle, its dual nature became increasingly apparent and appreciated. It filters through traffic with the ease expected of a Platina, sips fuel conservatively during highway cruising, yet delivers enough performance to make a winding road genuinely enjoyable rather than merely tolerable.
The Platina 150 won’t set lap records or win styling awards, but it wasn’t designed to do either. Instead, it excels precisely where intended: practical, comfortable transportation with enough capability in reserve to expand riding horizons when desired. For many Indian motorcyclists, this carefully calibrated balance may represent the ideal sweet spot between practicality and enjoyment—a motorcycle for both Monday commutes and Sunday adventures.