Bajaj Chetak 3201 : For Indian commuters the name Chetak has always had a special ring to it. A one-time king of the two-wheeler market, the Bajaj Chetak stood for dependability, straightforwardness and good value.
Today, the tradition lives on — with some green thrown in. The Bajaj Chetak 3201 is an electric scooter that melds the iconic nameplate of yore with the reach of an eco-friendly ride.
Let’s dive into what makes the Chetak 3201 a savvy addition to India’s burgeoning EV ecosystem, and how it stacks up against its present-day competition.
Bajaj Chetak 3201 Retro Looks, Modern Build
Translating the look of a coggy old-school Chetak onto a modern scooter can’t have been easy, but the 3201 feels both nostalgic and sophisticated. Those curves are smooth, and there’s nice metal for some extra durability and a bit of bling.
In a sea of plastic-body EVs, the full-metal construction would give the scooter better street cred. Whether outside a café or filtering through rush-hour traffic, the 3201 Bajaj Chetak turns heads.
The head lamp, turn indicators and tail lamp are all LED adding a special touch besides imparting a modern look to the bike. The unintrusive graphics and simplistic paint offerings only add to its premium feel.
Performance You Can Count On
The Bajaj Chetak 3201 runs a 3.2 kWh lithium-ion battery which is more than adequate to cater to the power output of electric motor required for tackling the city commute.
It’s capable of a top speed of about 63 km/h, which may not sound so exciting on paper but is plenty of pep for city travel and regular commutes.
With an up to 113 km claimed range on Eco Mode, you can get through a day’s riding without having to worry about recharging over a stop. And there’s also a Sport Mode, which enhances throttle response but saps some range.
There should be a seamless shift between modes, depending on how congested and/or time-sensitive the trip is.
Ride and Handling: Planted and Composed
Highlights The ride quality of the Chetak 3201 is a standout. Its suspension — single-sided front trailing arm and rear monoshock — has just enough damping for rough roads and daily bumps. Even with a passenger the ride is strong.
Adequate braking is provided by 12-inch alloy rims, complemented by a front disc and rear drum braking arrangement. It’s not a speed demon, but you’re also not going to feel scared or unconfident piloting it through city traffic.
Intuitive Use, Intuitive Functions
This isn’t a scooter inundated with the latest tech, but makes sure the basics are dutifully covered. It is equipped with a fully digital LCD display which shows speed, range, battery percentage and riding mode.
There’s also the option of Bluetooth app connectivity for live tracking, geo-fencing and remote diagnostics.
It enables Over-the-Air (OTA) updates so one can receive updates without visiting a service center. The reverse assist mode is also a nifty feature, especially when navigating in-city parking.
It takes about 4.5 hours for the battery to charge from 0 to 100% with a normal home charger. There’s also no fast charging (for now at least), which could be a concern for some users.
Usage And Ownership Cost
With an real-world range of nearly 100 km and 3-year/50,000 km battery warranty, the Bajaj Chetak 3201 is a budget-friendly choice for those making the switch from petrol.
The under-seat storage is plenty to fit a small helmet or shopping bag, and a front bag hook increases daily utility.
It’s operationally and maintenance cost is much lower since you’re running it on electricity. No repeated oil changes, no wear and tear, and less moving parts equals long-term savings.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
All-metal body for maximum robustness
Motor is nice and quiet with good city performance
Decent real-world range
Rides nice and the upgraded suspension is good
OTA updates plus app related features
Brand trust and extensive service coverage
Cons:
No fast charging option
Price slightly higher than the competition
Limited under-seat storage
No front trunk
Lower top speed than competitors like Ather or Ola
Bajaj Chetak 3201 Final Verdict
The Bajaj Chetak 3201 Marries Old School Cool with New School Tech It’s not chasing the next trend or the fastest speed; it just wants to provide you with a solid, stylish, responsible urban commute.
The Chetak 3201, for those who prefer the look of a mature EV that rides well and comes with a trusted nameplate, makes for a smart and sensible (and stylish) option.