Bajaj V15 review, road test

Bajaj has converted bits of aircraft-carrier metal into a special motorcycle for the masses. We’ll smelt the promise to see what it’s really made of.

Published on Apr 22, 2016 11:50:00 AM

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As far as appearances go; the V15 seems to defy the general commuter stereotype. There’s no denying the V15 looks distinctive, and mostly for good reasons. The tank looks decently muscular and seems to be the core attraction of the motorcycle, especially the fuel cap that textually verifies its connection to the Vikrant. It is flanked by rather subtle looking side panels that flow into a well-chiselled rear end and the detachable rear-seat cowl adds a sporty touch to the motorcycle. But let’s be clear, with an engine intended for commuting, the rear cowl’s primary purpose is to up the style quotient of the motorcycle, which it does admirably. One unattractive element on the V15 is the headlight, its free-form organic shape proving to be a little hard to love. The instrument cluster includes an analogue speedometer, an odometer and a fuel gauge. However, a trip meter is missing.

The riding position on the motorcycle takes a little getting used to as you have to stretch a bit to reach the handlebars. However, once you settle in, the V15 is quite comfortable. The seat is wide enough and is surprisingly good on longer runs, even though the V15 is intended for shorter commuting distances. The switches feel functional and solid and there won’t be much fumbling around for buttons. One little niggle in the V15 is that vibrations start to creep up from the seat at higher revs. For two-up riding, the rear seat cowl is easily removable via a small Allen key that is integrated into the motorcycle’s key. But the small and slightly sloping rear seat will make longer stints tiring for the pillion. It’s a good thing the V15 comes with a meaty rear grab-rail to help pillions stay on the bike. The anomaly here is that the motorcycle has two distinct grab-rails; a split one under the seat and another one behind the seat.