Bajaj V series, launched in March 2016 is a really unique bike according to today’s standards. It contains metal from the dismantled INS Vikrant. The series started with the V15 model, which was then followed by the V12 model. Both these models look pretty similar and have the same curved headlamp and cafe racer design. This is why most people end up confused about which one to buy among the two. Here are some pointers to help you choose.
Engine
Both bikes have a 4-stroke, single cylinder, DTS-i, air-cooled engine. The main difference between the two is that the V15’s engine is more powerful. But, the difference is not a lot. The V15 has a 149.5 cc engine whereas, the V12 has a 124.5 cc engine.
Brakes
The V15 model has 240 mm disc brakes for the front wheel and 130 mm drum brake for the rear wheel. On the other hand, the V12 model has 130 mm drum brakes for both, the front and rear wheels. This means that the V15’s brakes have better stopping power and shorter stopping distance when compared to that of the V12.
Suspension
Both the models have a telescopic fork suspensions in the front and Nitrox twin shocks suspension in the rear. But, the fork diameter of the V15 is slightly higher than that of the V12 model.
Headlight
Although both the models have a similar headlight design, the illumination power of both models differ. The V15 model comes with a 55/60 W headlamp that can light up the road in the darkest of conditions. The V12 has a 35/35 W headlamp which you can find in other bikes too. They are not as bright as the headlamps in V15.
Tyres
The tyres are another aspect where there is a significant difference between the two models. The V15 has a 90/90-18 front tyre and 120/80-16 rear tyre. The V12, on the other hand, has 2.75-18 front tyre and 100/90-16 rear tyre. This implies that the V12 has thinner tyres. The tyres for the V15 are tubeless too whereas the V12 has tube tyres. Since tubeless tyres are less likely to get punctured and have almost become the norm now, the tube tyres of V12 put it at a disadvantage.
Dimension
Both the models have the same dimensions, more or less. The height of V12 is slightly lower, but the difference is barely noticeable.
Colours
The Bajaj V12 comes only in one color, black. Not a fan of black? Then the V15 model offers you more choices. It comes in four different colors, pearly white, ebony black, oceanic blue, and heroic red. If you want more color options, then V15 is the better choice for you.
Price
This is perhaps the only drawback of V15. It is more expensive that the V12 model. The V15 costs INR 66,138 on road compared to the INR 59,226 for the V12 model. However, if you consider the benefits that the V15 offers over the V12 model, the added cost is justified. And the V15 is truly worth the extra INR 6,000. The V15 has better brakes and tubeless tyres. Even if you are alright with the reduced engine and brake performance, you will most likely end up changing the tyres of V12 for tubeless ones. The cost of those will get added to the cost of the bike and it reduces the price difference between the two significantly.
The Better Bike For You
All things considered, the V15 is the better bike. It has a better engine, brakes, suspension, and tyres. The only drawback is its higher price. But, the price is justified by the benefits. If you are buying the bike using a two wheeler finance such as the Bajaj Auto Finance, then the difference in EMI for both will not be significant. Getting a better bike would be a good decision and you would not regret it. If you are not sure about it, then use the two-wheeler EMI calculator and compare the EMI for both bikes to get a better idea.
