The lightweight Bajaj Boxer 125X bike was created specifically for the conditions of hot India. People there don’t have money - we’ll make the motorcycle affordable by making the design extremely cheap! The roads in India are bad - let's add to his ability to drive on them without the risk of causing the driver's spine to crumble into his underpants! Gasoline is not very good there either, so we’ll install a simple carburetor and an engine of an ancient design that can digest everything that burns! In general, for Indian realities the model probably turned out quite well, but in Russia it looks very strange and even slightly out of place, like a guest from the last century.
Design
The Indians decided not to bother with design delights - why bother if the target audience is people choosing a cheaper bike? Therefore, the Bajaj Boxer 125X motorcycle turned out to be quite unsightly, completely faceless and secondary. But it’s hard to blame him for this, given its price, since no company invests money in developing the design of such budget models. And let’s not point fingers at Japanese and European manufacturers, since their entry-level motorcycles still cost the same as three or four Bajaja 125x.
Total
Each niche has its own target audience, and it is not surprising that the Bajaj Boxer 150 is so popular not only in its homeland, but also in Russia. For a very modest amount, buyers receive an extremely simple, but durable and reliable motorcycle , which can rightfully be called utilitarian. It may not be possible to show off with it, but it copes with everyday work “excellently”, and also does not require a lot of money from the owner for its maintenance. And this is exactly what is required from equipment of this class.
Specifications
Budget Chinese and Indian motorcycles are not able to impress with their technical characteristics, but they sometimes amaze with their reliability. Bikes built using 30-year-old technology often last for decades! The designers of the Bajaj Boxer BM 125 x motorcycle clearly decided to go the same route, so this model, according to reviews, is as reliable as it is cheap, although its performance characteristics, of course, are rather inconspicuous.
Engine
Indian engineers took a proven 4-stroke 2-valve air-cooled engine with a volume of 124.5 cc. see , which is quite enough for this light bike. The engine is quite stunted, it is capable of producing only 10 hp. and 10.5 Nm at 7500 rpm and 5500 rpm respectively, and accelerate the motorcycle to a top speed of 90 km/h . But it is capable of running on any gasoline at all, and if something happens, the carburetor can be disassembled and cleaned on the knee, armed with a screwdriver and a standard set of tools.
Transmission
The gearbox of the Bajaj Boxer 125 motorcycle is mechanical, five-speed. It works surprisingly tolerably, albeit roughly - the moment of gear shifting is felt very clearly, and the whole bike shakes at that moment. Owners should prepare for the fact that they will have to work very actively with the gearbox foot, since the gear ratios in the box are very short. However, the top gear, fifth, can be safely engaged already at 50 km/h.
Chassis and brakes
Indian engineers should have a monument erected for the survivability and endurance No, seriously - this thing is capable of dragging an average family of 4-5 people, a cow and a bag of coconuts, all at the same time, even off-road! It’s an amazing thing, because the frame of the motorcycle is the simplest, and the suspensions say hello to the 70s of the 20th century. The company didn’t spend any money on them at all, installing a primitive telescopic fork and two equally primitive shock absorbers at the rear. about the brakes ; both wheels have drum mechanisms, the efficiency of which is comparable to the efficiency of the brakes of some Izh or Voskhod.
Electronics
In this model you will not find anything more complicated than an electric starter (a kickstarter is also provided), a battery and light optics. It is designed to work reliably in any conditions, even purely Indian ones, that is, the most extreme ones. And everything works surprisingly reliably - perhaps this is a consequence of the fact that the Indians are blindly copying foreign technologies, like the Chinese, and are developing their own, including in cooperation with European manufacturers.
Weight
The Bajaj Boxer BM 125 x has a curb weight 119 kg and it does feel light. As practice shows, at the same time, like an ant, he is able to carry a weight several times greater than his own! But for novice motorcyclists, an important advantage will be that the bike really turned out to be very light, and even short drivers will not have problems with reaching their feet to the ground - we remember that this model was created for mostly short Indians, right?
Controllability
When you first sit on the Boxer 125X, you feel like you're back in your youth. Why not “Voskhod”?! Except that the engine is four-stroke instead of two-stroke, but everything is almost the same... And the bike as a whole handles well, simply due to the short wheelbase, low weight and relatively low center of gravity. So if you drive it alone, you won’t have any complaints about taxiing. However, this does not prevent Indians from placing many more passengers on the seat and trunk than the rules, design and common sense allow.
Fuel consumption
The quality of the gasoline being poured has almost no significance. Almost, because the engine valves of an archaic design may not withstand long driving on high-octane fuel, so in Russian realities it is best to fill in AI-92. The gas tank volume is 11 liters , and the average consumption is about 2.5-3 liters . It is worth keeping in mind that off-road gasoline consumption increases sharply.
Less gas, more holes
At idle, the 125 cc engine rumbles pleasantly, and responds cheerfully to the gas. But in order to drive around the city a little faster than the main stream of cars, you have to turn it well. The gear ratios are chosen well. In first gear you can even drive up a vertical wall, second and third are close together and accelerate the motorcycle well, and fourth is very long. You can drive it from 30 to 110 km/h (if you believe the speedometer, of course). The elasticity of the engine will please both beginners and experienced riders - traction increases evenly, in proportion to the noise of the engine.
The only upsetting thing is the small but very noticeable vibration from the engine, which appears after 70-80 km/h and becomes very annoying closer to 100 km/h. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the test bike was not run-in? Maybe a few hundred kilometers in a gentle mode could correct the situation? Unfortunately, I was not able to verify this.
But, to tell the truth, at speeds of more than 80 km/h you also feel discomfort of a different kind, which has nothing to do with vibration. Not very effective drum brakes and semi-off-road tires make you cautious, keeping in mind the long braking distance.
But as soon as you move from the asphalt onto the dirt road, the Boxer 125X seems to be transformed - now it is in its element. A fairly soft front fork and an elastic, impenetrable rear suspension allow you to move very quickly over rough terrain. Even two adults, weighing about 80 kg. Each Boxer carries effortlessly - both the suspension and the engine are quite enough for such a task.
Motorcycle price
In 2021, dealers are offering the new Bajaj Boxer 125 X at a price of about 100 thousand rubles , which is comparable to the price of numerous competitors from China. Considering the performance characteristics of the hero of our review, the choice is ambiguous; now even among inexpensive Chinese motorcycles there are more interesting analogues for comparable money. And for 120 thousand, that is, one and a half times more, you can buy a Bajaj Pulsar NS 150 , a much more interesting option.
Repair and tuning
If in your youth you tinkered in the garage with your grandfather’s Izh or Ural, then you won’t have any problems with the brainchild of Indian engineers. Even a novice mechanic can disassemble and assemble it; even more so, it can be repaired and serviced. As for tuning, there are different options both from the manufacturer and in Chinese online stores, but there is little point in investing in such a budget two-wheeled friend.
Repair
You can repair the Bajaj 125 X in an open field. It is difficult to imagine a situation in which he would not be able to take the owner home. For such a development of events, something completely terrible would probably have to happen, like a broken frame or an engine falling onto the road, but the likelihood of such an outcome is close to zero. And everything else in this bike can be repaired or replaced without any problems.
Spare parts
In recent years, Bajaj has acquired numerous dealers in many countries around the world, including Russia, so there are no problems with spare parts. As a last resort, you can always order everything you need in India, but in this case you will have to wait for delivery, although this option may ultimately cost even less money. The cost of any spare parts is very low, because this bike was originally designed for the bulk of the Indian population, that is, for poor people who prioritize practicality and cheapness.
Tuning
In Russia, it is unlikely that anyone will tune the Bajaj Boxer 125x motorcycle, although there is an opportunity for this, albeit limited. It fits a lot of universal tuning such as grips, racks, top cases, turn signals, running boards and other little things. The Indians themselves often attach a makeshift side trailer to it for transporting goods, but in Russian realities this dubious design will be stopped by the very first traffic police inspector.
A matter of technology
In terms of workmanship, the Bajaj Boxer 125X is quite good - after all, it is not Chinese. But in the assembly there are mistakes. For example, on the test motorcycle (possibly due to vibration), the left footpeg bolts became loose. It was not difficult to squeeze them.
By the way, the Boxer 125X has a very good set of tools hidden under the battery. It seems that you can use it to disassemble and reassemble the floor of a motorcycle.
In general, in terms of service, the Boxer 125X is almost ideal - an extremely simple design, accessible spare parts, which are always available in almost every regional center (There are already more than 30 Bajaj dealers in Ukraine) guarantee that the motorcycle will always be on the move. Bajaj also offers a two-year, unlimited mileage warranty – good new conditions for a motorcycle that costs less than a good smartphone.
Advantages and disadvantages
To make the assessment objective, the bike must be compared with its competitors, which cost about the same amount. Bajaj has hundreds of competitors in its price segment, and it generally has the same advantages and disadvantages as them. When buying it, do not forget that this is one of the cheapest models that are generally produced in India.
Advantages
- Low price . However, this advantage is partly offset by the fact that for the same money you can buy many other motorcycles that may turn out to be more interesting.
- Incredible survivability . There is practically nothing to break in the Bajaj Boxer 125 X, and if it is serviced in a timely manner, it will drive for years and not require attention. Considering how harshly it is used in its native India, there is no doubt that in Russia it will break down only as an exception.
- Persistent paintwork . Oddly enough, this is a fact! Probably the fact is that the model was developed for hot and humid climates, where rust instantly attacks any untreated metal surface, so the paintwork was made quite resistant to damage.
Flaws
- Bad brakes . The Indians frankly saved money on the brake system by installing a drum not only on the rear wheel, but also on the front.
- Weak engine . Any 125 cc scooter comparable to the Bajaj Boxer 125X in weight can easily outpace it on the road in terms of acceleration dynamics.
- The need to actively work with the gearbox foot. In the city it gets boring very quickly, but there’s no other way. Without constantly changing gears, it will not be possible to achieve at least some dynamics.
Rural thrill: Bajaj BM 150 Boxer 2021 review
A motorcycle for 70,000 rubles, what is it? In the imagination of the owner of this amount, as a rule, either something 125 cc or something very old is pictured. Would you say YBR125? Go to a Yamaha showroom and look into the eyes of people selling a 125 cc carburetor motorcycle for 155,000 rubles, which lost most of its audience after the introduction of the “A1” category. For 70,000 you can buy the remains of something that 30 years ago was considered an inexpensive Japanese motorcycle, or buy something Chinese, but new. Or maybe Indian?
Especially for such modest budgets, which, as a rule, people have in the outback, Bajaj released its 150. Of course, when creating the BM 150 Boxer, the Indians did not think about the Russian province, focusing primarily on the local market. But this is for the best, people there live even more modestly, and the competition for their wallets among motorcycle manufacturers is terrible. It is thanks to her that everyone strives to make a motorcycle as accessible, functional and reliable as possible.
Bajaj Boxer BM150 2021 is the most popular motorcycle of the Indian concern in Russia
In the ATV and snowmobile market, there is a segment of utilitarian devices designed for work. In the motorcycle market, already replete with classes, everyone is lumped under the same brush, placing, for example, the Duke 125 and Bajaj BM 150 in the “road” or naked segment. But if there was still a class of “junk” among two-wheelers, then the Boxer, without a doubt, would become its symbol.
This bike seems to have everything and nothing at the same time. For example, there are drum brakes not only at the rear, but also at the front. Moreover, judging by the size of the drums, as on Soviet equipment, the front and rear pads are unified, which is incredibly convenient. But the front and rear cast wheels, even though they are extremely similar, cannot be swapped - the hubs are different.
Front and rear drum brakes with interchangeable pads
The suspension is simple and primitive - at the front there is a classic telescopic fork with thin rods and a stamped upper crossmember, at the rear there is a pair of shock absorbers with adjustable spring preload. Or springs? For some reason they put two of them in each shock absorber, one of which is large and black, and the second is smaller and orange.
For what? Judging by the way it visually sticks out and catches the eye, the purpose of two springs per shock absorber is the same as three spark plugs per cylinder - marketing. I believe that Bajaj rightly argues that, on the one hand, it definitely won’t be worse, and on the other hand, it’s a clear difference from its competitors; they don’t have such shock absorbers!
However, the shock absorbers are the only exception: the remaining elements of the chassis, including the frame, swingarm and footpegs are as archaic and primitive as all of the above. Maintainability? Ha! Yes, try to break something here!
Brightly colored dual shock absorbers, as well as footrests for the third passenger, are the main features of the Bajaj BM 150
The motorcycle feels just as daring and rollicking when sitting on the dimensionally plump saddle cushion: the footpegs are low, the legs are bent at the knees almost at right angles, the handlebars are not too wide and high, you sit as if at a desk at school. Comfort? More likely, the absence of discomfort - everything is in its place, but somehow primitive and homely, and the only criticism was caused by the steering handles, which in extreme positions rest against my knees.
However, this shortcoming can be forgiven. It’s worse when the steering angle is not enough, and you need to make allowances for the dimensions - a pilot of average build may not even notice this problem. But the ugly remote controls with primitive levers will irritate even the blind, alas, the Indians saved money here, although I had no complaints about their work itself.
Leave the bells and whistles like LED optics and two displays to its older brothers - the BM 150 is as simple as an Indian copy of the AK-47
The dashboard looks like it was copied from some Japanese “scabies”. On the one hand - goodbye to youth, on the other - a classic with two parallel saucers and a line of a meager set of indicator lamps under them. Black background, scarlet arrows - neat, readable and even pleasant. The only pity is that instead of a tachometer, the right dial has a fuel level indicator the size of the Kremlin chimes. What did you want for this money?
By the way, the fuel level sensor on this device is not really needed at all - the engine can drain an eleven-liter gas tank in 350-400 kilometers, having previously buried itself in the “reserve”, reminding the pilot of the need to stop at a gas station. The three-position tap here is the same as on Soviet technology - a convenient, simple and reliable solution.
The place of the tachometer in the right “well” is occupied by the fuel level indicator in the tank
There is an electric starter, but for some reason on our motorcycle it started the engine the second time. It seemed that the motor did not have enough power or electricity, but the motorcycle did not give us a reason to use the kick starter; we pulled it just for fun, after which the engine began to rattle from the first pitch.
The engine is indecently simple: four strokes, one camshaft in the head of the block, two valves, air cooling and a carburetor with manual choke. It can be serviced by anyone familiar with the engine structure of a Lada, Ural motorcycle or lawn mower, so you can forget about maintenance at an official dealer.
The power unit is a single-barrel carburetor producing 12 hp
Extremely soft clutch lever, first down and go. Um... Second up? Did not guess! When choosing the gearbox switching algorithm, the Indians either made a mistake with a century or were guided by people unfamiliar with motorcycle mechanics... Instead of the usual “first down, rest up” or the sporty “first up, rest down,” the engineers created a four-speed gearbox that shifts according to the “first down, first down” principle. the rest are down.”
In other words, you have to increase the gear by pressing the pedal, and downshift by lifting it. After riding a “healthy person’s” motorcycle, it’s unusual and not comfortable, and those who choose the Boxer as their first motorcycle will need several days to relearn when switching to another motorcycle. But the gearbox pedal is double-shouldered, so selecting gears will be convenient even in bast shoes, felt boots, or fishing boots.
The convenience of a double-lever gearbox is offset by an unusual transmission algorithm
The gear shift itself is no different in clarity, but you need to take into account that we got the motorcycle with a solid mileage, driven by motorcyclists like me, who constantly missed the right gear and probably damaged the gearbox a little. But the “short” chainrings provide good traction, which you don’t expect from a 12-horsepower engine.
Of course, you have to pay for everything, and the maximum speed, not much exceeding 100 km/h, confirms this. You rightly ask, why are such stars needed? The fact is that the Indian province, as I already said, is much more hardcore than ours.
A motorcycle costing 70,000 cannot claim outstanding dynamic performance, but it rides great at speeds up to a hundred
The Bajaj BM 150 Boxer is designed for three: the pilot and passenger can boast full-fledged footrests, and the second passenger will have to be content with a steel footrest on the left and a special muffler cover on the right. But he has enough seat. In short, a completely complete place. Part of our editorial team, consisting of three impressive men, checked it personally - the motorcycle rides confidently.
Moreover, despite the heavy load, the rear suspension did not fully compress, and the fork did not fold, so knowing our realities, I believe that there will be a Boxer owner who will put another, fourth person on his bike, fortunately it’s powerful the steel trunk is definitely designed to withstand overload.
The Boxer's huge seat easily accommodates three passengers, and the steel trunk can accommodate one more.
By the way, the monstrous energy consumption is the only advantage of the pendants. It is almost impossible to break them when riding alone, and the fork is elastic, unlike the Bajaj Dominar 400. But the brakes... Nominally they are there, but every time you press them, the image of Dmitry Anatolyevich pops up in your head with wishes for a good mood, good health, and generally hang in there.
There is no feedback at all; it is impossible to lock the front wheel even with oak standard tires, even if you don’t press the lever. But the rear sticks up at the slightest touch of the massive pedal. Again, the laws of the genre: such mechanisms will be sufficient for racing on dirt roads, as well as for driving in cities with calm, sparse traffic.
On small regional tracks the Bajaj Boxer feels like a fish in water
The handling is the same - the chassis plays frighteningly when cornering, it’s scary to feel the limits, because with thin standard tires it can step anywhere; The motorcycle refuses to hold its trajectory, dodging in every possible way with or without reason. Of course, as the speed increases, the situation only gets worse, but, in any case, the Boxer handles better and more obediently than the same Minsk, although it drains the ever-memorable Yobra.
But does a utilitarian motorcycle need sharp steering? Not really, unlike the aforementioned interchangeability of brake pads and load capacity. The Bajaj BM 150 Boxer also boasts a cover that completely covers the chain and sprockets from dust and dirt, so you won’t have to think about cleaning, lubricating and tightening the chain very often.
The impressive protective cover eliminates the need for regular chain maintenance
In general, to check the tension, there is a special hole in the casing, covered with a plug, but I could not pick it out - it is made of something too hard and, it seems, it will not be possible to return it to its place once it is removed. But what kind of bike is for the outback that you don’t need to put your hands to?
The bottom line is that we have an ideal device for Russian hardland, a kind of “Voskhod” on steroids for reasonable money. It is clear that the Bajaj BM 150 Boxer is not suitable for a metropolis - handling and braking dynamics are sorely lacking, but as a motorcycle for the dacha it is just right. And yes, it is precisely this segment of the market that the Kalashnikov concern should look at with its attempts to revive the domestic motorcycle industry.
Video review of the Bajaj BM 150 Boxer 2017 motorcycle:
Bajaj BM 150 Boxer 2021 Photos:
We thank East West Motors for providing us with a motorcycle for testing.
Accreditation and organization of test drives – Denis Sokolov | | +7 (999) 851-49-71
Owner reviews
I bought my bike new in the spring, ran it in for a long time and sadly, and never drove it more than 50-60 mph. I got tired of it quickly, so after about 500 km I gave up on it and started turning the handle all the way - and nothing, everything was fine. I drove about 6,000 km over the summer, without any problems at all. Acceleration is weak, there are no brakes, but it’s good to drive around my town. Sergey, Yalutorovsk.
I’ve been living in India for the second year now, almost all this time I’ve been driving a Bajaj Boxer 125, a normal car. I bought it almost new from friends, I don’t know the mileage - they said that their speedometer died almost immediately after purchase, but judging by its appearance and year of manufacture, it is small. There were never any breakdowns, I carried a maximum of three passengers at once)) Ilya, Goa.
The motorcycle disappointed me. Two of my acquaintances have Bajaj technicians, both have Pulsars, 150 and 200 respectively, I also wanted a Pulsar - I took them for a ride for a test. In the end, I decided to save money and take the Boxer. Compared to the Pulsar, it’s nothing at all, it doesn’t drive, the suspension is like that of a cart, the headlight is stunted. The only advantages are gas mileage and reliability, everything else is disadvantages. Igor, St. Petersburg.
FAQ
- Are there any problems with spare parts? Are they suitable for other Bajajas? There are no problems if you have a dealer nearby, otherwise you will have to carry everything to order, but it is inexpensive. Some parts are suitable from other Bajaj models.
- How does it behave off-road? It’s quite tolerable, especially if you put suitable tires on the wheels. Ground clearance, suspension and low weight allow you to confidently drive on dirt roads and fields.
- What is its engine life? Officially, the manufacturer does not provide any information on this matter. Unofficially, no one knows either; cases of Bajaj Boxer 125X engine failure due to exhaustion are unknown to Russian motorcyclists.
Back to the Future
The first thing that worries you when you look at the technical specifications table is the 4-speed gearbox. The second is the front drum brake. Add to this a carburetor, and you get the impression that we have returned to the glorious eighties, when the technology was simple and honest, and everything that happened to it depended solely on the skill of the driver.
The appearance of the Bajaj Boxer 125X matches the technical characteristics - no frills, just pure practicality. It comes with crash bars, a drive chain guard, and orange springs inside black ones in the rear suspension installed from the factory. With his entire appearance he makes it clear that he is not afraid of falls, bad roads and overloads.
Sitting in the wide and long saddle, you realize that the controls of the Bajaj Boxer 125X couldn’t be simpler. I can’t even believe that the engine of this motorcycle is started by a button, because the kick starter poker is located under the right knee. But having mastered the buttons and levers in a few seconds, you are surprised to find a trigger for blinking with the far one under your left index finger. I wonder who you can drive off the road on a 125 cc motorcycle?
Similar models
- Bajaj Boxer 150X. It is no different from the hero of our review in almost anything, even in price, oddly enough. The engine is almost the same, just with a slightly increased displacement.
- Racer Tiger 150. Chinese road bike, almost similar in performance characteristics to the Bajaj Boxer. It costs about the same.
- Wels Gold Classic 200 . Don't let the number 200 in the name fool you, it's just a marketing ploy. In fact, this is just another budget “Chinese”.
Conclusion
The Bajaj Boxer 125 X, created for India, perfectly corresponds to the realities of its native country, but in Russia it looks alien. Yes, it is capable of being a tireless and trouble-free workhorse, and its high reliability , but its weak engine, poor brakes and other shortcomings make it not very competitive, especially considering its price. For the same amount, you can choose a better option, or even buy a used Yamaha YBR-125, which is rightfully considered one of the best small-capacity boats in the world.
Specifications
Maximum engine power: | 10 hp at 7500 rpm HP |
Torque: | 10.5 Nm at 5500 rpm Nm |
Working volume: | 124.5 cm3 |
Motor type (cylinder arrangement, number of strokes): | 4-stroke, air cooled, DTS-I |
Number of cylinders: | 1 |
Number of valves: | |
Intake type (Injector / Carburetor): | |
Bore and stroke: | |
Starting system (Electric starter, kick starter): | |
Maximum speed in km/h: | 90 km/h |
Cooling system: | Air |
Transmission (gearbox): | Mechanical 4-speed |
Clutch (Dry / Wet): | |
Drive unit: | Chain |
Frame: | Steel |
Chassis | |
Suspension (front/rear travel): | |
Brakes (Front/Rear): | |
Wheels / Tires / Rubber: | |
Dimensions and weight | |
Dimensions (Length / Width): | |
Seat height: | |
Ground clearance: | |
Curb weight: | |
Wheelbase: | 1285 mm |
Weight: | 119 kg |
Fuel tank capacity: | 11 l. |
Battery capacity: | |
Year of release: | |
Country of Origin: |