The CT’s design looks quite simple, practical, and rugged. It gets a bulb headlight with an LED DRL above it and a couple of metal grills for added protection. Then, the gaitered forks and belly pan contribute to the rough look and we aren’t complaining. For added convenience, Bajaj has also provided it with a small luggage rack at the rear and its claimed capacity is about 5kg. In fact, this rack seems quite sturdy and durable, so adding an extra kilogram or so over the limit shouldn’t really be a problem

Bajaj has plonked a 124.4cc single-cylinder air-cooled motor in the CT125X. It belts out 10.75bhp and 11Nm and is mated to a five-speed gearbox. This unit sits in a square tube, semi-double-cradle frame, unlike the CT110X’s single down tube unit. Bajaj says the 125X’s frame is more rigid and has better strength too.

Now, you can buy the CT125X in two trims: drum and disc brake. The price difference between the two variants is Rs 3,200, and the disc brake model benefits from a saree guard, an extended footrest, as well as Bajaj’s patented mechanical CBS system where the rear brake controls the front. And the braking hardware here comprises a 240mm front disc/130mm front drum along with a 130mm rear drum brake. Further, both models ride on 17-inch alloys wrapped in 80/100 front and 100/90 rear tyres.

Some of the deciding factors for a commuter bike are ergonomics and comfort. And the CT checks these boxes. First, its handlebar is inclined towards the rider and the footpegs are centre-set. This duo provides a fairly upright and comfortable rider triangle. To put things into perspective, I’m 5’10, and the seat height of 800mm did not feel too tall and allowed me to rest my foot flat and with ease. Even the seat width contributes to it and is in no way uncomfortable. Moreover, the seat is flat and spacious for both the rider and the pillion. Even for taller riders, the CT shouldn’t feel cramped or uncomfortable, given its overall size and how compact it looks.

With a kerb weight of 131.5kg, the Bajaj CT125X weighs about 6-7kg more than its rivals like the Super Splendor and Honda Shine. However, it still feels quite easy to move around, be it in a tight parking spot or when getting on/off the centre stand.

With the stiff rear springs and a clunky gearbox being two minuses in our books, the overall package that Bajaj is offering in the form of CT125X felt quite balanced. It gets a solid build, decent engine performance, comfortable rider triangle, spacious seat, good handling, and on-par features. So, it’s right there against its rivals like the Super Splendor and the Honda Shine which are priced around Rs 81,000 (ex-showroom Delhi) for their disc brake models. In fact, the CT 125X’s asking price is notably less at Rs 74,554 (ex-showroom Delhi).