In the bustling streets of India, where two-wheelers reign supreme, the Bajaj Platina 135 once carved out its own niche.
This unassuming commuter bike, with its slightly larger engine, promised to bridge the gap between everyday practicality and a dash of excitement.
But as we stand here in 2025, looking back at the Platina 135’s journey, we’re reminded of how quickly the tides can turn in the ever-evolving world of Indian motorcycles.
The Birth of a Contender
Picture this: It’s the mid-2000s, and Bajaj Auto is riding high on the success of its Pulsar range. The company, once synonymous with scooters, had successfully reinvented itself as a motorcycle manufacturer.
But there was a gap in their lineup – a bike that could offer a bit more oomph than the standard 100cc commuters without stepping on the toes of the sportier Pulsars.
Enter the Platina 135. Launched with much fanfare, this bike was Bajaj’s answer to the growing demand for more powerful commuter motorcycles.
With its 134.6cc engine, the Platina 135 promised better performance without sacrificing the fuel efficiency that Indian riders held dear.
The Tech That Set It Apart
Now, let’s get our hands a bit greasy and dive into what made the Platina 135 tick. At its heart was a 134.6cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder engine that churned out a respectable 8.5 bhp of power and 11.5 Nm of torque.
For the average Joe looking to zip through city traffic or tackle the occasional highway stretch, this was more than enough grunt.
But the real magic lay in Bajaj’s proprietary DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark ignition) technology. This wasn’t just some marketing gimmick – it was a genuine innovation that improved combustion efficiency.
The result? Better fuel economy and lower emissions. In a country where “kitna deti hai?” (how much mileage does it give?) is often the first question asked about any vehicle, this was a major selling point.
The Platina 135 also boasted Bajaj’s ExhausTEC (Torque Expansion Chamber) technology, which helped boost low-end torque. For riders navigating crowded city streets, this meant fewer gear changes and smoother acceleration from low speeds.
Comfort: The Unsung Hero
While performance got the headlines, it was the Platina 135’s comfort features that won many hearts. The bike came equipped with Bajaj’s SNS (Spring-in-Spring) suspension, which did a remarkable job of smoothing out the notoriously bumpy Indian roads.
The long, well-padded seat was another highlight. It wasn’t just comfortable for the rider; it also ensured that the pillion passenger (often a crucial consideration in Indian families) had a pleasant ride.
Add to this the upright riding position and wide handlebars, and you had a bike that could handle long commutes without leaving you with an aching back.
The Market Response
When the Platina 135 hit the showrooms, it created quite a buzz. Here was a bike that promised more power than the 100cc crowd without the aggressive styling (and higher price tag) of the Pulsar range. For many riders, it seemed like the perfect upgrade path.
Sales were initially strong, with the Platina 135 finding favor among urban commuters and rural buyers alike. In cities, it offered quicker acceleration for navigating through traffic. In rural areas, the extra power came in handy on rougher roads and when carrying heavier loads.
The Challenges Begin
However, the honeymoon period didn’t last forever. As the years rolled on, the Platina 135 began to face some headwinds. The first challenge came from within Bajaj’s own stable. The Discover range, particularly the 125cc variants, started to encroach on the Platina 135’s territory. With sportier styling and competitive pricing, the Discover series began to cannibalize some of the Platina 135’s market share.
External competition also heated up. Honda, with its CB Shine, and Hero MotoCorp with various 125cc offerings, started to dominate the segment. These bikes often offered similar or better performance, coupled with the reliability reputation of their respective brands.
The Shifting Sands of the Indian Market
To understand the Platina 135’s eventual fate, we need to zoom out and look at the broader changes in the Indian two-wheeler market. As we moved into the 2010s, a few key trends emerged:
The Rise of 125cc: The 125cc segment began to grow rapidly, offering a sweet spot between the 100cc commuters and the 150cc+ performance bikes. This put pressure on the somewhat oddly-positioned 135cc Platina.
Increased Focus on Styling: Even in the commuter segment, buyers started placing more importance on looks. The Platina 135, with its conservative styling, began to feel dated.
The Scooter Renaissance: Ironically, given Bajaj’s history, automatic scooters started to eat into the commuter motorcycle market share. Their ease of use in city traffic made them increasingly popular.
Premiumization: As India’s economy grew, there was a gradual shift towards more premium offerings. Many buyers who might have considered a 135cc bike now aspired to 150cc or even 200cc motorcycles.
The Beginning of the End
As these market forces converged, the Platina 135 found itself in an increasingly tough spot. Bajaj, always quick to adapt to market changes, began to shift its focus. The company started to concentrate on the Pulsar range in the premium segment and the smaller Platina models (100cc and 110cc) in the commuter segment.
By the late 2010s, the writing was on the wall. Production of the Platina 135 was gradually phased out. The exact date of its discontinuation is a bit hazy – it seemed to fade away rather than go out with a bang. By 2020, it was clear that the Platina 135 was no longer part of Bajaj’s active lineup.
Legacy and Lessons
While the Platina 135 may not have stood the test of time, its impact on Bajaj and the Indian motorcycle market shouldn’t be underestimated.
It served as a testbed for technologies like DTS-i, which would go on to be refined and used in other Bajaj models. The bike also helped Bajaj understand the evolving needs of the Indian commuter, insights that would prove valuable in developing future models.
For the Indian motorcycle industry as a whole, the Platina 135’s journey offered some valuable lessons:
The Importance of Clear Positioning: The 135cc engine, while innovative, didn’t fit neatly into established categories. This sometimes led to confusion among buyers.
The Need for Continuous Evolution: In a rapidly changing market, even successful models need regular updates to stay relevant.
The Power of Brand Perception: Despite its technical merits, the Platina brand was strongly associated with basic commuters, which may have limited its appeal to aspiring buyers.
The Platina Name Lives On
While the 135cc variant is no more, it’s worth noting that the Platina name continues to be a strong player in Bajaj’s lineup. As of 2025, the Platina series, now focusing on 100cc and 110cc models, continues to embody the values of comfort and efficiency that made the 135 notable.
The current Platina models have evolved with the times, incorporating features like LED DRLs, digital instrument clusters, and even ABS in some variants. They’ve maintained the focus on comfort with refined versions of the SNS suspension, now dubbed ‘ComforTec’ technology.
Looking to the Future – Bajaj Platina 135
As we stand here in 2025, the Indian two-wheeler market is on the cusp of another revolution – electrification. Bajaj, true to its innovative spirit, has already dipped its toes into this space with the Chetak electric scooter.
One can’t help but wonder: Will we see an electric Platina in the future? And if so, how will it honor the legacy of models like the 135?
Whatever the future holds, the story of the Bajaj Platina 135 serves as a fascinating case study in product lifecycle, market dynamics, and the constant innovation required to stay relevant in the fast-paced world of Indian motorcycles. It’s a reminder that in this industry, as in life, change is the only constant.
The Platina 135 may have ridden off into the sunset, but its spirit – the quest to offer something more to the discerning Indian commuter – lives on in every new model that rolls out of the Bajaj factory.
And for those who owned and loved the Platina 135, it remains a fond memory of a bike that dared to be different in the world of everyday commuters.