Why Mahindra Mojo?

Date: 16 September 2021

Let me put up some background how I own Mojo UT300. Lately I was planning to upgrade from my current 150cc to something bigger in displacement, anything more than 200cc up to 500cc was my plan. My take is in current Bengaluru and rest of Indian road conditions anything more than 500cc is a overkill as you don't have quality roads to unleash the bike power and its no safe either. So I shortlisted below bikes as per my requirements, I am 6'2ft tall with relatively below average body type so I was looking for a bike with upright seating position and with longer wheelbase so doesn't look odd when a 6ft guy rides it. A bike for both city and highway commute and once in a while mild off road riding. 

1. Hero Xpulse 200: This wouldn't be of much upgrade from my existing 150cc bike, but it a fun and capable machine to explore off road and easy to maneuver in city conditions. 40+ fuel economy in current sky rocketing fuel prices is a big plus. 
2. Dominar 250/400: Good capable machine, sturdy build and excellent machine for highway miles. City driving can be little difficult owing KTM engines that get heat up quite quickly.
3. RE Himalayan: One of best any road bike available currently, although there has been some quality issues reported RE seems to fix them all. Good looking upright stance for rider. I didn't like the gearbox when I test ride it might be test bike issue and city riding will be quite a task owing 199kg kerb weight
4. Honda CB350/RS350: Honda are known for their reliability and this bike is best combination of retro style with modern features, I liked everything about it, be it ride quality, slipper clutch, braking, suspension, handling, Meter console, butter smooth engine, exhaust note, fuel economy. Honda has produced amazing machine and a competitor for RE. If not mojo this bike would have been with me.

You see mojo was no where in my list, I happen to read a lot of bike reviews on team bhp website and follow few moto enthusiastic YouTubers to finalize my bike purchase. While going through team bhp blog I saw some article on mojo and I dig more about it and there I found a guy was selling his 2019 mojo bike which has hardly driven 8500km in last 3 years for a decent price. I couldn't refuse to check it out. 

So it's BS4 Mahindra Mojo UT 300 of 2019 batch without ABS. This is scaled down version of Mojo XT300 comes with traditional telescopic 41mm fork with carburetor compared to USD fork with fuel injection that you see in Mojo XT300, it produced less power & torque figures and comes with single exhaust. I am not a number guys so I test rode it and my immediate reaction was refined engine with clean shifting gearbox  with taller gear ratio and front heavy machine, my arms could feel the extra weight in front that I was not used to in my current bike. Back when mojo was launched I was big fan of its front looks, its like either you love it or hate it, even now its front look attracted me. And it's sturdy build quality feels promising. My thought process was, I am getting the bike at a decent price and the bike was maintained well with less wear and tear marks. New Honda CB350 was costing anywhere close to 2.6lac on road in Bengaluru and I was getting this for less than half price of it. Let's get this, use it for a while say year or two get used to bigger displacement bike then I can very well buy new bike anytime. So I went ahead and finalized the deal. 

Here is Mahindar Mojo UT300(SIMBA) when I got him the first day

By profession I am Data Analytics Engineer, So I did play with some data points before I made the purchase. Mojo scored a good 8.7 rating in my analysis which is next best to Honda CB350 which had scored 9.20, Not bad at all and also I was calculation ownership cost of owning the bike for next 3 years and clocking at least 30000 kilometers and Mojo was just behind Xpulse 200. This analysis is purely my perspective I am no where demeaning any other bike which I have compared neither I have expertise at that level

It's been two months I am riding the bike, have been to near by places for small trips around Bengaluru and I am more than happy how the bike is performing. I am DIY guy and always tend to open any machines which I own. I have added below accessories to SIMBA by self. 

1. Knuckle Guard
2. AHO On & Off switch for headlight 
3. Hazard light switch
4. Changed stock headlight from 35/35w bulb to 55/60w bulb
5. Mobile holder plus charger 
6. Led strobe Brake lights
7. Carbon Fiber vinyl wrap and tank pad for fuel tank
8. Number plates brackets
9. Saddle stays
10. Extra LED fog lights
11. Removed DB killer 
12. Handle Bar Risers(DIY using Guesto Engine Bush) 

Planning to add these accessories to make it complete

1. Bigger windscreen 
2. Top rack

That's after a mild off road experience around Chota Ladhak aka Dodda Iyyur Rock Quarry after a rain session

I don't want to over accessories it and make it look ugly and bulky, stock look is the best. When I take touring seriously I might add few touring specific accessories that's it.

Now planning to get bike serviced once I reach 10k mark in odo, don't see any major issues with SIMBA other than slight buzz feel near fuel tank while riding, some tank padding near fuel tank should get it fixed. I am quite happy with ~30kmpl fuel average when I ride in city & highway(60kmph to 110kmph). Lowest I have noted is 25-28 where I did a little of mild off-road trails in one of the ride or cruising at 120+kmph. I generally ride between 90 to 110kmph on highways considering the bike doesn't has ABS I don't feel safe beyond this even though stock breaks are decent, the bike is capable of clocking close to 150kmph comfortably. If the route is scenic then I tend to ride slower, speed doesn't thrills me its the journey that excite me more.

After riding mojo for last two months when ever I ride my pulsar I don't even get the feel of riding a bike. Pulsar feels like a toy bike not literally but the feel is missing and it's lighter machine. Mojo has spoiled me, the weight has now synced in within me. I might not upgrade from Mojo to any other bike, you build a bond with some machines and SIMBA is one such machine.

Added Pulsar 220 windshield on mojo and it syncs in well 

As famous Mahindra & Mahindra tagline says Live Young Live Free, stay young at your heart and mojo will let you live your life freely by taking you places.

Ride safe!!!