For decades, 100cc motorcycles were the surest way to commute in India. Mahindra, on the other hand, has developed a slightly different approach. With twin-pod headlights, upside down forks, a muscular fuel tank, and many segment first features, the all new Mahindra Mojo packs quite a punch. Mahindra has sought to change the story of traditional two-wheeler cruising in the country. Whether the Mojo has what it takes, is a different question. Here’s another—Will the Mojo appeal to the market especially when the KTM 390 is currently the best motorcycle in the 300cc segment? Read on to know the answer.
Design
The Mojo’s design is one-of-a-kind. The twin-pod halogen headlamp instantly catches your attention. You will either like or dislike the owl headlights; as far as we are concerned, it is a fresh look. The overall muscular design and touch of gold, is reminiscent of a modernised version of Jesse Mach’s—the man, the machine—Street Hawk.*
The engine, frame and swingarm are coaxially mounted, a design option offered for the first time in the 300cc Indian motorcycle segment. This means that the frame, swingarm, and the engine, are mounted at one point, thereby giving the motorcycle tremendous stability.
Stand-out design elements:
– Gold upside-down fork (USD)– Gold ribs (twin pipes just below the fuel tank)– White LED Daytime running lights (DRL)– Petal-shaped front disc brake (320mm)
– Twin-exhaust with pre-muffler
Engine & Gearbox
The Mojo’s engine is a 300cc, 4-valve, single cylinder, liquid cooled with an electronic fuel injection. And mated to a six-speed gearbox, the engine delivers 27bhp and 30Nm of torque. The ignition system is an ECU based digital electronic ignition.
Mahindra Mojo engine & gearbox detailed specifications:
– Displacement: 295cc– Bore x Stroke: 76 x 65mm– Compression Ratio: 11:1– Valve Train: Double overhead camshaft (DOHC)– Fuel Delivery: Electronic Fuel Injection– Lubrication System: Wet sump, forced lubrication– Transmission: 6-speed, cable-actuated wet clutch
– Final Drive: Chain
Engine Performance
Mahindra engineers have spent much time on the Mojo’s development, a lengthy process that began with the unveiling back in 2010. The research and development have paid off handsomely in the form of a smooth engine. The engine is silent; however, the six-speed gearbox clunks at low-speed shifts. The mid-range acceleration is excellent due to the torque curve, which kicks in from 4500rpm to 6500rpm and cruising between 100 – 120km/h is a breeze on the Mojo.
Mileage
The fuel tank (21-litres), and the air deflection system, which deflects hot air from the radiator is noteworthy. Both, the fuel tank, and air deflection system are crucial features for a long-distance ride. On the flipside, the KTM is offered with an 11-litre fuel tank capacity, and an air deflection system, which is poorly designed to deflect the hot air from the radiator.
Our ride involved aggressive cornering, high-speed tests, and numerous attempts to get the perfect photos. With that said, the Mojo returned a range of 400km on a full tank.
Mahindra Mojo mileage, fuel tank capacity & top speed:
– Mileage** achieved: 20km/l– Fuel tank capacity: 21-litres– Reserve tank capacity: 3-litres
– Top speed achieved: 149km/h [on an empty, long downhill stretch]
** Claimed mileage by Mahindra for the Mojo is 35km/l, which is achievable with minimal throttle input and smooth riding.
Ride Comfort
The Mojo is not your daily dose of performance, but a sports-tourer. The Mojo’s cruiser character shines through on the road, which makes cruising enjoyable. Though I’m around 6 feet tall, the Mojo weighing at 165kg is quite hard to manoeuvre around in the parking lot. Also, I was not able to put both feet entirely on the ground. However, once you get on the road, the Mojo feels solid with its powerful brakes, and ample cornering clearance. But, if you love to corner aggressively, chances are you’ll drag and grind the twin-exhaust/side-stand.
The riding position however, can get better. The scooped seat is soft, but the handlebar-seat-footpeg triangle doesn’t work quite well for tall riders. The seat-to-peg distance is a bit off, and after a 500km ride, you’re likely to have knee and hip pain. Regarding this issue, we have passed our feedback onto Mahindra. Maybe, Mahindra will offer custom seat heights to accommodate a broad range of riders.
Pillion accommodation
The Mojo’s narrow tail section leads to cramped rear seat comfort. But, how many motorcyclists nowadays prefer riding with a pillion. The Mojo’s seat is a clear indication, Mahindra has chosen design over passenger accommodation.
Suspension
The Mojo’s suspension is well controlled and damped, and is comfortable for long stretches. This sports-tourer is easy to manoeuvre despite its 169kg dry weight, 21-litres of fuel, and a 100kg rider. The inverted front suspension along with the rear mono-shock suspension makes the Mojo feel remarkably stable.
The rear mono-shock suspension uses gas and oil and is set at an angle of 25 degrees from the ground, which is probably the least in this category (300 – 400cc). Usually, this kind of setup is seen in 600cc motorcycles and above.
Brakes
For brakes, it offers a single front disc (320mm) with four-piston radial calipers and a single rear (240mm) with a two-piston floating caliper. The four-piston radial caliper compared to the conventional mount calliper does not increase braking power. But with the radial calliper the Mojo’s braking feels crisper at the lever (better braking feedback). Considering the power is smooth and uniform, the braking is progressive instead of panic braking, which is good. Mahindra has confirmed Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) will be on offer next year.
Jijuan from Spain is the brain behind the braking system; the team worked closely with Mahindra Racing Team in Europe, and the research and development team in Pune, India.
Tyres
Pirelli Diablo Rosso II is a standard offering, and these tyres help to synchronise the suspension, chassis, and brakes, leading to excellent grip at full lean. These steel radial tyres offer top performance while cornering even on wet road conditions.
Mahindra Mojo tyre specifications:
– Front tyre: 110/70–R17
– Rear tyre: 150/60–R17
Features
A few top-of-the-line features worth mentioning are the twin headlamp with LED guide, tail lamp with eight LEDs, and 12 LEDs in the brake light.
The sporty, compact speedometer cluster is also quite an attention seeker, with a few interesting features like dual trip meter, max speed recorded, and an LED that follows the rpm.
Important safety features come in the form of a limp-home mode, where the ECU triggers an automated signal if any malfunction is detected. Once the ECU triggers this signal, the rider won’t be able to cross 5000rpm or 60km/h. The limp-home mode safety feature is in place to protect the engine, and alert the owner to head to the nearest authorised service center.
Another interesting safety feature is the rollover sensor technology that is capable of sensing an impending rollover. If the Mojo, during a rollover, is tilted 45 degrees left or right and if the wheels are off the ground, the sensor shuts off the engine.
Pros
– High-speed stability– Braided brake lines– Good midrange power– Smooth and silent engine– Pirelli Diablo Rosso II tyres (excellent grip)– Good front and rear mono-shock suspension– Powerful brakes (rear brake works a bit too well for our liking)– Feature-rich (max speed recorder, LED headlamp and tail lamp)
– Twin-exhaust with pre-muffler (delivers on sound, performance and looks)
Cons
– Seat height (seat-to-peg distance is a bit off)– Clunking sound from the gearbox at lower speeds
– Absence of Distance to Empty (DTE) fuel display
Verdict
The Mojo isn’t the definition of an outright performance motorcycle; for frantic riders, the KTM 390 is the ideal machine. However, the Mojo’s braking, handling, and cruising ability makes it the best Sports-tourer (300cc) right now in India. Mahindra’s investment on the Mojo has paid off, and an Indian manufacturer, producing motorcycles of this quality—is commendable.
Is there an enormous market for a single-cylinder, sports-tourer in India? Mahindra thinks so.
Pricing & Launch
The pricing of the Mojo is a crucial factor. Mahindra has priced the Mojo at an introductory price of Rs. 1.58 lakh ex-showroom (Delhi), which is ~ Rs. 50,000 lesser than the KTM 390. We believe it’s an appealing price tag, and worth the money. Click here to read about the Mahindra Mojo launch.
2015 Mahindra Mojo Review Ratings:
YouTube Video: Mahindra Mojo Exhaust Sound
2015 Mahindra Mojo captured in pictures
