1. 96 PUT TO TEST PUT TO TEST 97EquestrianOrderHOT-BLOODED AND YOUNG, MAHINDRA 2-WHEELERS STALLIO IS FOR TODAYSSTRIVERS WHO WANT MORE FROM EVERYTHING IN LIFE, INCLUDING THEIR DAILY WORKHORSES. VARAD MORE GETS ASTRIDE THE MAHINDRA STALLIO TO UNRAVEL THE WORTHY COMPANION IN IT T wo years ago, Mahindra &and the decision to foray into the two established brands like the Hero Mahindra took over Kineticsegments is consciously done Honda Splendor have reigned Motors and forayed into the supported by a massive market survey supreme all these years with their Indian two-wheeler sphere based on inputs from over 7,500reliability, economy and comfort, even with three scooters, namely people that included current at their premium price-point. - Flyte, Rodeo and Duro.motorcycle owners as well as Although, now the rules of the game The new born bike-maker has now prospective buyers.are changing as Indian masses are ventured into the motorcycle space As the Indian working class grows getting exposed to the outside world armoured with the Stallio, a feature- tenfold, it clearly reflects on a higher with staggering pace resulting in more packed 110cc motorcycle with styling, number of consumers with disposableaspiration-driven purchases in their comfort and value-for-money as itsincomes looking for an affordable, day-to-day lives. This is also USP and has also showcased itstrustworthy and reliable means ofapplicable to the motorcycles of today premium offering, the Mojo, a 300cc personal transport. This segment has as can be seen from the slow yet performance motorcycle. M&M isseen a steady growth over the past steady growth in the premium very serious about this new venture two decades and explains why motorcycle segment in India. The | P H O T O G R A P H YK U N A L K H A D S E | NOVEMBER 2010 | www.zigwheels.com NOVEMBER 2010 | www.zigwheels.com

2. 98 PUT TO TEST PUT TO TEST 99 12effect has also trickled down to the entry level The well-sculpted fuel-tank mixes form wheeler market in the world, the companysegment with buyers not basing their buyingand function in an efficient manner with the has its fundamentals in place and it has donedecisions simply on economy and pricing butknee-recesses making for excellent thigh and its homework pretty neatly too. For instance,opting for more upmarket motorcycles withknee positioning for riders of varying sizes.under the curvy fuel-tank there are twostyle and features even if it means shelling Owing to my rather tiny framework I wasstorage compartments with locks to keepout more moolah. extremely comfortable astride the Stallio, but small tit-bits like sunglasses, documents, With regards to the changing demands oftools-kit and first-aid kit, safe in place.buyers it appears to be a good time for anMaybe the Stallio loses a few points withemerging company like Mahindra 2- regards to tidiness, but that should be takenWheelers to establish itself in the popularTHE care off in due course of time, we think.and burgeoning 110cc segment that has beenWELL-SCULPTEDThe large cushy saddle and the fuel tankrecently attacked by all bike-makers FUEL-TANK MIXESare in one line making for a very commuter-including big-wigs like Honda and Yamaha FORM AND FUNCTIONish ergonomics and a welcoming stance. Thewith the CB Twister and YBR110, tank has a plastic strip running along itsrespectively. No doubt that the major playersIN AN EFFICIENT MANNER length that is more than just a designhave a solid foothold in the market withWITH THE KNEE-RECESSESelement. According to Mahindra, a lot ofstrong following and credibility to back their MAKING FOR ANcommuters lodge goods on the fuel tank ofproducts and it is certainly a gigantic task at their motorcycles and this plastic band helpshand for the Stallio to impress a buyer that is EXCELLENT THIGHthem keep the goods in place by providinghugely spoilt with plenty of options to choose AND KNEE sufficient grip and it also makes for a goodfrom. Going by the looks of it, the StallioPOSITIONINGdesign element. Although, we dont quite 3 4comes across as an stylish commuter thanksadvocate riding a motorcycle with goodsto its aggressive lines and pronounced design stacked on the fuel-tank as it can get verytouches. Some buyers might find the sharpmy colleague Sopan, who is a good six footer,nasty. Best is to get the bike fitted with aarrow-shaped bikini fairing upfront a little returned from our TV show shoot and waspanniers if you are to carry a lot of equipmentquirky for their taste, but if one looks at theimpressed how comfortable and easily the on a daily basis.entire design of the bike, the sharp and bike welcomed his rather unusually long legs. Even with edges and cuts, the Stalliosmuscular design touches add a lot of Even as Mahindra 2-Wheelers is striving to design has a smooth flow from front to end.character to the Stallio.get a foot-hold in the second largest two- The tank gels into the centre panels thatflaunt the Stallio moniker inwidely dispersed through the 4-does a good job even when its 1 The 106.7cc engine of the3 One of the few bikes in itschrome. No jazzy graphics here,speed transmission that results in put through the paces over a setStallio is frugal and efficient with segment to boast of parkinga peppy power delivery. Thelights, the Stallios front-end isjust subtle yet appealing design.fantastic in-town rideability. That of arm-wrenching corners.lockable storage compartment contemporary and aggressive inThe plastic quality is decent with said, the gearbox on our test-bikeFor road-testing, handling and under the fuel tank offers goodits styling. Rubber indicator stocksno gaps or ragged fits found was clunky and had a rubbery feel chassis dynamics play a very functionalityare a good functional touchanywhere on the bike. Although but it was a lot better on some of important role in order to connect2 The fully digital instrument4 The ergonomically designedwe feel the welding on the jointsthe other test-bikes that we rode. with a motorcycle and while console complete with a digitalaircraft-like fuel-filler cap adds atachometer is taken directly fromlot of style and practicality whencould have been a little moreWeighing just over 120kg, themany would equate the feel factor Mahindras Rodeo scooter refuelling at the gas stationsneatly and tidily done. Rest of theStallio enjoys a good power-to-largely to power and excitement,bike has a fairly good fit-and-weight ratio that directly in reality it is a lot about howfinish with a host of features - one influences its overall much comforting and especially when caught in tightand for them a comfy ride qualityof them being the fully digitalperformance as wellinvolving the bike feels. spots like parking spaces or traffic plays key role in the purchaseconsole taken from the Mahindraas fuel efficiencyTHE And quitejams. Stopping power comes fromdecision. And with the MahindraRodeos parts bin albeit without as was foundWEIGHT unexpectedly for130mm drum brakes on both ends brand already a household namethe choice to choose from jazzyin our tests.a commuterand they offer okay brakingin rural India as countrys leadingmultiple backlights as seen on the The StallioDISTRIBUTION ON bike, the performance with the Stallio tractor-maker, it would not beRodeo. The rear shock absorber took THE STALLIO IS SPOT ON Mahindra taking 30.72 metres and 3.7very hard for the company tosprings coloured in bright red add 8.2seconds FOR A COMMUTER BIKE Stallio doesseconds to come to a halt from promote the cost-effective Stallioa nice sporty touch to the bikein the 0- an 60km/h but there is also severein these rural markets as well. Butbut the under-stated design of the 60km/h WITH A LIGHT FRONT-END exceptional brake-fade that we experienced.the most significant factor inexhaust looks a bit bland in dash, THAT GREATLY HELPS job at it. The Suspension duties on thepurchase decision for mostcontrast to the Stallios overallwhich isIN SWIFTsteel tubularStallio are handled by telescopiccommuters in rural as well asstylish appeal. The parts quality is fairly okay ifDIRECTIONAL double cradleforks upfront while 5-step urban India remains to be,good and the switchgear too feelsnot somethingframe is lightadjustable Gabriel twin shocks "Bhaisaab, average kya hai?"well-built and sturdy. to scream about. CHANGESweighted and rigid inwork on the rear. Tuning of the The answer is 70kmpl under Thumb the starter button andBut the Stallio holds itsits design and coupledsuspension is slightly on themixed riding conditions includingthe 106.7cc motor promptly jumps own against the might of the with the 1,265mm wheelbase, itsofter side to aid comfort and tocity commutes as well as highwayto life. The feel from the engineentrenched rivals in the roll-on presents the Stallio with neutral keep away the impact of bumpslong hauls. And with 13.7litres ofclearly speaks about the bikesacceleration. Slotted in third gear, handling as well as sure-footed and potholes from reaching the fuel-tank capacity, the Stallio canfrugal nature and its econo- the Stallio recorded an impressive stability. Shod with Dunlop riders back, which certainlytake you 910km on a singleconscious approach. Producingfigure of 5.05seconds in the 30- rubber on both ends, the tyreshelps when riding on brokentankfull! Thats the second best7.3PS of power at 7,500rpm and 50km/h roll-on acceleration, offer excellent grip and good feelvillage roads. Mahindra has paid tank-range amongst all Indian8Nm of torque peaking at which is where most of Stallio along with precise feedback. Thea fair amount of attention on riderbikes currently on sale, with the5,500rpm, the Stallios engine users will ply in. And the smoothweight distribution is spot on forcomfort for fatigue-free riding, Suzuki GS150R taking first placefeels peppy and energeticpower delivery of the powerplant a commuter bike with a lighttaking into consideration the fact with a tank range of 961km.throughout its rev-range. Theis complimented by an equallyfront-end that largely helps in that a sizeable number of StallioCouple that to the four years oftorque is handy and has been adept and able chassis setup thatswift directional changes,buyers will ply on the rural roads manufacturers warranty, twiceNOVEMBER 2010 | www.zigwheels.com NOVEMBER 2010 | www.zigwheels.com 3. 100 PUT TO TEST MAHINDRA STALLIOMAX. SPEED (with speedo error)80 60 10040 120 20 14088.7km/h 0160km/hkm/hACCELERATION FROM STANDSTILLSIDE VIEW 60 km/h 100 km/h 400m1000m 8.2sNA 24.28NA0 km/h 0mADIL JALDARUKHANAWALAThe storage compartments located underneath the fuel tank of theIN-GEAR ACCELERATIONMahindra Stallio offer excellent place to store the first-aid kit and tool- A good first effort from 30 km/h50 km/h 70 km/h90 km/h110 km/hkit along with other small accessories like sunglasses and pouches 3Mahindra 2-Wheelers, but 5.05 secwere not sure if this is thesegment that a first timerof what most other Indian bike-The Mahindra Stallio offers 413.42 sec should have been dabbling in,makers offer and all thosedecent styling, host of featureswhere thanks to strong rivals,apprehensions about tidiness andlike LED taillights, parking NAonly a properly stellar product 5can leave its mark behind.parts quality of the Mahindra lights, full digital console, 5-Stallio seem of lesser significance.spoke alloys and electric starter BRAKING DISTANCEFUEL CONSUMPTION (KMPL) CHEERS/SNEERSWhat is of a higher significancewithout compelling the buyer to 100 80 60 0Fuel Tank:Fuel economy79 6770here is the detail that the Stallio ispart with a huge sum of money. 13litresErgonomicsNAMahindras debut motorcycle It carries a simplistic approach ofNeutral Handling Range:Needs disc brakeoffering and it does a fairly decent being an easy to ride everyday 68.26m/6.0sjob at what its designed for. But, motorcycle that will serve you as 30.72m/3.7sHighwayCity Overall910km Scope for improvement on built qualitytoday there are a number ofa trustworthy personal modeproducts in the 110cc of transportationsegment that areequally matched MAHINDRATHE along with a goodbang for theS P E C I F I C AT I O N Sor even betterbuck. TheENGINE TYRESon a few STALLIO IS AN EASY Stallio is Cylinder Single, air-cooled , 4-stroke Tyre Size (F) 2.75-R18 Tube Fuel supply Carburetor Tyre Size (R) 3.00-R18 Tubecounts thanTO RIDE EVERYDAYwelcoming Bore x Stroke (mm)52.4 x 49.5mmthe Stallio MOTORCYCLE THATand friendly Compression Ratio9.6:1 BRAKESwith well- for anyoneestablished SERVES AS A to just hop Cubic capacity106.7ccFront Drum Transmission 4-Speed RearDrumcompaniesTRUSTWORTHYon and start Clutch Wet Multiplatebacking PERSONAL MODEriding. The Starting SelfSUSPENSIONthem. Andbike does notalthough the OF flaunt any Gear Shift-pattern 1-Down, 3-UpFrontTelescopic ForkRear Hydraulic twin shock absorbersStallios price-tag of TRANSPORT pseudo-traits ofCHASSISRs. 44,690 (Ex-being different, powerful TypeSteel double tubular cradleDIMENSIONSshowroom, Pune) is competitive, or anything unusual. Be it theFuel Tank Capacity 13.7 litresMahindra could have hugelymundane daily commute to workENGINE OUTPUTKerb weight 125kgbenefited from a lower price-point or a trip to the store down the Max power (PS)7.3Wheelbase1,265mmfor the Stallio that would have road or the daily pick up andPower peak (rpm) 7,500 Overall Width720mmsignificantly brought attention drop for the kid, the Stallio does Max torque (Nm) 8.0Saddle Height800mmonto their debut offering in theall of it in an unfussy manner Torque peak (rpm)5,500motorcycle space and helped the albeit with the confident poise ofPRICE (Ex-showroom, Pune) Rs. 44,699Stallio make its presence felt. a trusty workhorse.Overall height 1,050mmGround clearance 165mm Wheelbase 1,265mmOverall length 2,000mmKerb weight 125kgNOVEMBER 2010 | www.zigwheels.com