Launched in 2013, Mahindra Pantero is M & M’s 110 cc bike loaded with impressive features. The bike was launched with another 110 cc motorcycle called Centuro. It competes with established players like Bajaj Discover, Honda Dream Yuga and Hero Splendor. Some bike experts tagged Pantero as Mahindra 110 cc bike Stallio’s revamped version. The Stallio failed to create any impression and received a lot of customer complaints. Fortunately, Centuro and Pantero did manage to create space for M & M in 110 cc bike segment.
Style
The bike’s headlamp, digital dash board, impressive tail lamp, and its long seat make this bike appear like most of the other bikes in 110 cc segment. Its overall weight is 120 kgs. Bike’s seat height is 805 mm; perhaps, this is the reason that tall people find this vehicle comfortable. Pantero’s 18-inch alloy wheels and the overall black finish on lower parts can easily manage to attract eyeballs. Pantero is available in four different colors.
The instrument cluster is simple, and customers can also opt for optional digital fuel and speedo meter along with digital clock and trip meter.
Engine
The bike is powered by four-stroke, 106.7 cc motor that is also known as MCI-5 engine. As per expert opinion, Pantero can reach top speed of 94 KMPH. The motor can reach from 0 to 60 KMPH in about 8.6 seconds. It offers overall mileage of around 49 KMPL, but the bike maker claims that this vehicle can offer as much as 79 KMPL while on highways.
Bike’s 14 liters fuel tank ensures that you won’t have to visit petrol pump again and again. You can use electric start option while in a hurry, and use kick start option if you wish to offer few seconds of exercise to your feet.
Braking and suspension system
Pantero is fitted with drum brakes in the front and rear. Telescopic coil spring suspension unit manages front suspension, and an impressive five-step adjustable coiled system manages rear suspension.
Several reviews suggest that the bike’s four-speed gearbox has managed to impress its users. But everyone may not be impressed with the suspension system that manages to absorb bumps up to certain extent. Bike’s seats offer comfortable ride even while travelling long distances. So, the suspension system can be termed as something good enough for this 100 cc bike. The vehicle is best suited to be used while travelling on busy city roads.
Mahindra Pantero Mileage
The average this bike gives on city drives is 64.5kmpl and on highways it could go up to a distance of 77.5km on a lt of petrol. So you could expect an overall mileage of nearly 65-68kmpl.
Competition
Pantero is often compared with Bajaj Discover 100 and Hero Splendor Pro.
Pantero’s engine seems better than Hero’s 97.2 cc and Bajaj’s 102 cc. M & M’s fuel tank is also better than Hero’s 11 liters tank and Bajaj’s 10 liters. Out of these three bikes, Splendor pro offers mileage of around 80 plus KMPL, followed by Pantero’s 79 KMPL and Discover’s 65 to 70 KMPL. When it comes to price tag, Pantero wins the race. Its basic variant is available for Rs 39,608 plus taxes.
Plans to give tough fight to Honda in two wheelers segment
Mahindra & Mahindra attracted a lot of attention in March this year when the company registered Luna brand which was earlier owned by Kinetic Motors. Luna 50 cc mopeds were famous for offering high efficiency with low maintenance cost during 1980s.
The company is all set to buy 51 percent stake in France based famous Peugeot Motorcycles. Analysts suggest that the Indian auto maker will benefit a lot due to French bike maker’s technology. It may launch world class bikes in Indian as well as overseas markets once the take over and technological association comes on track.
M & M’s VP for customer care and sales, Dharmendra Mishra also recently announced the company’s plans to increase the number of dealerships from 425 to 500 by the end of 2016. This can be an indication that the company is ready with long terms plans and some new bike as well as scooter concepts.