WHY A BAJAJ?

OK, ...why a Bajaj? i just thought about this when i saw "pxlchk1" pics of her scooter sitting at the shop next to two other types of scooters. what was it that made you pic a Bajaj over a Stella? a Vespa PX? or any of the modern "twist and go" type of scooters?

I'll start: i was riding a Vespa P200 at the time and my buddy was riding a Vespa ET 4. he was going on the Sunday Mad Toto rides and invited me to go with him... they met at Scooter World and the owner was doing paper work or some shit... when we showed up (his name is Mike and he is also Bajaj rider) he invited us in to see the store. as soon as i saw the Bajaj Chetak i fell in love. the clean lines of the front fender and the rear cowls... the classic vespa body style... the "up" mounted spare tire... the chrome crash bars that were solid enough to work! besides the fact that they were obviously designed "for" the scooter and not some generic after market crap... an electric start!!! sign me up!!!

now don't get me wrong. i still own several vespas... i didn't really need a new scooter. and i wasn't planning on getting rid of my P200, but, the price for the Bajaj was great and it was so pretty! i wouldn't/couldn't pay the price for a new vespa PX and the stella looked just like the PX and i was riding a P!! ...the Bajaj won me over with it's look. seriously. two months later i sold my P200... and then i started missing having a two stroke. so as soon as i paid off the Bajaj, i bought a Stella.

the Bajaj is my "daily rider" and i ride it everyday. it is my work horse and its completely dependable. i have other scooters, one for "touring" and long distance another "fast rides" around town... one just for looks! but he Bajaj is my old stand by!

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i'm uncool. and i'm cool with that.

Positives:

I wanted the Bajaj torque as I am a pretty heavy guy.

I also read this board a long while before purchasing and believed people who said the Bajaj's would last a long time w/ little maintance.

I wanted to just fill up with gas vs mix.

Relatively cheap to purchase compared to alternatives.

Negatives:

I am a little concerned about getting Bajaj-specific replacement parts quickly, long term.

I like the smaller P-series seats and the lines of the Stella a little better.

I don't think it really matters a lot, but a front disc break sounds better to me than my (still) shuddering front drum.

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Jamie B.
'85 Honda Elite 250 "The She-Beast"
'01 Suzuki DR650
'09 KLR650 - For SALE!

Why a Bajaj ? Because its half the price of a Vespa.

I wanted a scooter and the Bajaj was in my price range. I thought the Kymcos were ugly piles.

The dealer (Tim at Columbia Scooters) couldn't stop raving about the Bajaj (all the guys there at the time had Bajaj's of their own). Definitely a good sign.

I'm tall enough to ride one.

My first car was a manual and I wanted my first scooter to be one too.

Easy maintenance.

This was 4 years ago, and my Bajaj is still runnin' like a champ. I am finding it hard to mod out, but slowly but surely, it's looking better every year.

I'm with Joe. It was primarily about cost for me. I got mine for $1700 basically new, where a Stella would have been at least double that.

I'm no hippie, but I also like the clean four stroke in comparison to 2 stroke (which is horrible for the environment).

I'll probably get a 2 stroke eventually for my joy rider, but keep the Bajaj for my commutes.

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www.birminghamscootersyndicate.com

I'll bite on this one.

Did a lot of research before purchasing, asked a lot of questions, and since my dad owns a scooter shop in Montana I was able to get the straight dope on the models he carries--Kymco, Genuine, Bajaj. I knew I wanted a manual tranny, and he said the Bajaj was a tank and was what he rides.

After test-riding several automatics I jumped on the Bajaj and there was really no comparison. Just liked the feel and ride better. Liked the cockpit angles and seat height better. The sturdiness and weight inspired confidence over the lighter plastic bodies.

And I love the feeling of shifting. Always have. All my cars have been manual too. I dig having as much control over my vehicles as possible.

I looked long and hard at getting a Stella, but ultimately, for the price, the Bajaj was head and shoulders above it. From everything I've heard about the Vespa dealer here in Portland, I'm glad I made the choice I did. I met with several Vespa owners yesterday and they've all had problems with their new scooters. I felt bad for them. You spent two grand more and your scoot's been in the shop 3 times in 400 miles? That sucks, dude.

The four-stroke's better fuel economy and better emissions just cemented the deal.

All that being said, damn those Buddy International 150's are fun to ride! The Buddy 125's are okay, but those 150's have some serious zip to 'em! More fun than the Kymco 150 for sure.

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It's better to be silent and let people think you're a fool than to speak and remove all doubt. -- Mark Twain

Strangely, I was considering a Buddy Int'l 150 too. I had been obsessing about it for several weeks. On the day I was going to head over and purchase it, though, I was scanning the ads on craigslist and came across the Chetak I had been driving by everyday on the way home from work. I'd really liked the way it looked (even if I wasn't too keen on the "misty jade" color, I LOVED the look of the mounted spare tire). Plus, it was a thousand dollars cheaper than the Buddy and it was a MANUAL. I'm kind of a manual transmission snob when it comes to cars, so even though I had no experience with a scooter, it seemed perfect for me.

It's just a month or so later, and I am really glad I bought the Bajaj. Plus I have that extra grand to go towards accessories!

...this cool.

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i'm uncool. and i'm cool with that.

Economy was the reason I started looking at scooters. I was talking about the idea with a friend who wanted cheap transport instead of a 2nd car, I wanted something that got better than 25-30 mpg since I live so far from the beer barn.

I started researching scooters and noticed people talking 'Bajaj'. Cool lines, workhorse 4T, economy, steel not plastic, manual shift. That pretty much met my criteria. I was prowling the boards at yahoo one day and saw an '02 for sale, 3,800 miles, within 250 miles, for $1000. Called and he was retired AF, he sent a pic of a picture perfect scoot. I hauled her home. Been thankful ever since.

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"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Everyone brings up some excellent points. For me it was "Uniqueness Rulez". I wanted something different but that would still get the job done over the long haul. If I wanted a scooter that was different I could have just as easily bought any number of the Asian models that are streaming over. The names all change every year so there is some uniqueness there. Surprised

Doesn't do much good though when they breakdown and you can't get parts. I don't mind waiting for a Bajaj component. It'll show up eventually. All the other knockoffs? I don't think so and that's a problem I wish to avoid.

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Now firing. Inquire within.

I liked the quietness of the 4 stroke motor. It's like riding a flying carpet.

But the real deal maker came when I was offered the scoot on trade for design work. The scooter shop needed a website. I guess it says something about the Chetak that I later sold it, then bought it back a couple years later. I missed it a lot. Could have bought a Stella or Kymco, but I wanted my old Chetak back. Smile

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http://FistsOfCurryRally.com
...
If you love your scooter, let it go. If it comes back, you probably high-sided.

For me, it's made well and on a teacher salary, I can't get that solid construction unless I buy something much more expensive.

I bought my 06 silver 'jaj a few months ago and had NO experience on a motor-anything. I am a cyclist and so riding in traffic is very familiar, but the scoot took some getting used to. After a week, I was much more comfortable, had failed my driving test once, but had my permit and loved the weight and the shifting that only a Bajaj offered.

Now, a few months later, I still only have my permit (CA driving test is a joke so I'm putting it off), commute around 50 miles each day along the Pacific and couldn't be happier. Matter of fact, the surfrack mounted off my rear rack has come in very nicely! Not sure I'd trust a plastic scoot with carrying one of my boards 50 mph down the coast.

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Wheelsdown

2006 Bajaj

50 miles a day, everyday

	Quote:
	I'm no hippie, but I also like the clean four stroke in comparison to 2 stroke (which is horrible for the environment)

I am a hippie (or at least was raised by hippie parents in the lovely hippie town of Berkeley, CA)...yeah we drove out to CA from Illinois in 1977 in a '71 VW camper (aka hippie bus). There were my 2 parents, their friend, 1 dog, my brother, about 1 1/2, me 4...

So, yeah, the cleaner burning 4 stroke is what sold me. I never even considered a twist and go scooter. Manual all the way...and of course their reliability was a big consideration...

I still plan on getting a P200 or something down the line. I want the extra power from a 200cc engine, but the Bajaj will probably be my daily rider.

great thread, btw!

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2005 Chetak

why, this board! of course.

also, I sought the metal bodied, vintage style shifter but don't have a lot of time for the work of a real vintage..
the 4T is a big plus for my daily-rider needs and ideals, reputation for durability/ dependability is harder and harder to find, mpg is great, purchase price...
did I mention this board? (we love us!)

	mostly_lurking wrote:
	why, this board! of course. did I mention this board? (we love us!)

It's like realizing you like your inlaws after you're married...sort of. It's like the opposite of a black fly in your chardonnay. It's like a free ride when... Wink

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Wheelsdown

2006 Bajaj

50 miles a day, everyday

I used to ride motorcycles, mostly vintage Japanese bikes. I actually found the sitting position on the motorcycles uncomfortable. I would get these hip cramps after about 15 to 20 min. of riding. Getting old I guess.
But I had to stay on two wheels...somehow...what about a scooter?
I wanted something reliable, sturdy, metal, and had to keep the manual transmission. I also wanted something newer, possibly with a warranty. I put my bikes up on CL and sold them in a week. After seeing Bajajs around town and talking to a friend who had been looking into scooters, I had my answer. Then I found this forum and was sold. I went to Columbia here in town to check out what they had. They have a great rep as an information source rather than a sales driven shop. I checked out all the models, but everything else felt too small or too plastic. Rode home on a spanking new silver Chetak the next day.
One of the best decisions I've made.

I wanted shifty but not 2T.
I wanted a scooter and not a MC.
I wanted to get mad fuel economy.
I wanted a tractor that runs on curry.

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The "X" stands for ex-Chetak owner.

	matty_x wrote:
	I wanted a tractor that runs on curry.

I LOL'd. Curry burner. Laughing

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Now firing. Inquire within.

...i love the smell of curry in the morning.

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i'm uncool. and i'm cool with that.

	Quote:
	Then I found this forum and was sold.

yeah, seriously, I found this board while researching what to buy and it definitely helped in the decision. really had to search out the dealers too.

.... mmmmmm... curry...
(so that's what that smell is! ....I guess that could be the yellow discoloration on the tail-pipe, huh.)

For me the decision was pretty clear. I initially knew nothing of scooters, but after much online research, I had decided on Bajaj for its reliability--millions of Indians couldn't be wrong! I also loved that it was a mode of transportation for "the people," not elites, in India and Bajaj didn't have the cache of a Vespa here in the U.S. Problem was, couldn't afford it and didn't have a place to store it in New York City. So I waited... About 3 years later, I had finished grad school, moved to Chicago, lived 4 miles from work, and could afford the scoot as our "2nd car"--the stars had aligned in my favor! No regrets on my decision. My only concerns relate to long-term parts supplies and getting the scoot stolen and not being able to find another Bajaj.

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Mike
2006 Jade Green Chetak

i'm new to the bajaj world. i have had lambretta & vespa from the age of 17, i,m now 46. i have always had a bit of a fetish for bajaj i nearly got one 15yrs ago. i have 2 vespa at the moment, i got my 1st bajaj 3 month ago as a wee bit of a joke,as a rarity, to take to scooter rally's to be different. i must say it is really starting to grow on me,it is so smooth to ride,so much so i'm starting to prefer it to my vespa. so i hope all the good things i hear are going to be true and it will run as well as i have been reading.
i think i'm falling in love with it LOL

so i want all you hard core bajajites out there to give me as much info as poss. i really need to make contact with bajaj owners in the uk,also need to be able to source out spare parts in the uk. so please help me out.
kind regards
the
bombay bad boy Razz

It was logical. I wanted a metal bodied - retro looking type of scooter that had a manual transmission. My wrinching deficiency also needed to be taken into account.

This gives three options, an old vespa or lambretta or such (either expensive or needing lots of mechanical expertise), a Stella (nice, but sounds a lot more mechanically demanding and kinda spendy, too), or a Bajaj (mechanically stable, pretty inexpensive).

I also looked at getting a Genuine Buddy - but I really liked the vintage looks of the Chetak. A few of the people on the Modern Buddy MB (including the guy who writes the 2 Stroke Buzz website) told me to avoid the Bajaj! Glad I didnt listen.

	Threegoofs wrote:
	My wrinching deficiency also needed to be taken into account.

That's beautiful ... simply beautiful. Now I can finish the DVD cause it has a title. First my pencil saviour, now the title. Genius I say.

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"I see a big market for designer tin foil head gear..."

"Grow up and stop posting like a 14th Century Vatican Flat Earth Zealot."

Damn. You're right. That would make a good title! You might want to fix the typo though. If its a DVD series, you might want to give the series the title of Chetakuqua. Or Chetakqua. Kind of a hippie ring to it.

Believe me, I'm the first guy who needs that DVD. If you get it out early enough, I might be able to change my own tires and actually consider going to the Fists of Curry rally. I can caravan with pxlchk and the other Chicago Bajajers.