Motorcycles have continually grown larger over the years, and people have been accepting it more and more. The Nepalese market also garners a soft spot for bigger bikes despite the roads and economy of the nation being completely unsuitable for them. However, the pendulum of progress might be swinging in a different direction. Japan and Thailand picked up on the trend of smaller motorcycles which have now become a popular trend there.

Things might be on the verge of catching on in Nepal as well with the introduction of Motrac Motorcycles. SLR Techno and Trade Pvt Ltd, sole distributors of MG Motors and Motrac Motorcycles in Nepal, have taken the leap of faith and attempted to establish themselves as the trendsetters for Nepal. Although small in stature, the Motrac MX-EFI packs in a lot of frills promising a lot of potential fun. We test out the MX-EFI to determine what sort of punch the small motorcycle packed.

STYLING 

Aesthetically, the bike is quite a head-turner. It catches a lot of attention in spite of its diminutive stature. Motrac has provided a street-fighter design to the MX-EFI. Some key highlights of the MX-EFI include the combined projector-style headlight, LED taillights, aggressive fuel tank cowl, edgy front fenders and beefy tires.

Upfront, the headlamp cluster also houses a multi-functional digital instrumentation panel which provides most of the necessary details. At the back, the dual aluminum alloy triangular mufflers keep the bike’s rear profile slick and intimidating.

Other highlights include aluminum pedals and levers which are brushed in orange highlights, split sprocket, wind deflector and dual LED spotlight. Speaking about the build quality, the switchgears, headlights and building blocks are solid and well integrated in the compact frame.

(Scroll below for exterior highlights)

PERFORMANCE

The MX-EFI is powered by a 124.6cc, single-cylinder, 4-stroke, air cooled, EFI (electronic fuel injection) engine which produces max power of 9.1 bhp@7000 RPM and 9.5 Nm @5000 RPM. Power from the single-cylinder engine goes to rear wheels via a four-speed transmission.

Switch on the ignition, press the starter button and the bike comes to life with a loud rumble. Accelerate it further and you’ll be left with a wide grin on your face. The initial pickup is smooth and the power builds up quite linearly throughout the rev range. The four-speed transmission aggravates the engine in a subtle way, supplying generous power and smooth acceleration throughout the range.

The bike is easy to spin through our traffic in 40-50 km/h zones. It isn’t slow and you’ll definitely enjoy hurtling the bike in our city. Fuel injection is consistent across the rev range. The decent performance does make up for its size and weight. As per the company, the bike does return an impressive fuel economy of 77 kmpl.

RIDE & HANDLING

The urban-commuter’s compact size allows it to slip through narrow space quite comfortably. Handling is nimble and provides absolute confidence to the rider. The quick gearbox offers solid quick shifts without much hesitation.The bike can be enjoyed in a variety of purposes. We tested the bike on both terrains and we believe the suspension system can handle a variety of terrains.. The suspension setup, comprised of double inverted oil spring damper upfront and independent mono shock at the rear, also did a great job of handling our broken roads in spite of the small wheel size.

The ergonomics are surprisingly comfortable despite its unorthodox dwarfy built, the average Nepali rider shouldn’t have any problems with it. . The bike weighs in at 102kg and has a seat height of 754mm. The seat is supportive and comfortable for hustling and bustling across the city. The MX-EFI rolls on 120/70 profile upfront and a 130/70 in the back. Braking duties are taken care of by single disc brakes measuring 220mm in front and 190mm at the back.

One thing the MX-EFI might not excel in is long haul trips. The machine is not going to produce enough power and torque that can rival other bikes. Similarly, zooming past corners and making U-turns can be tricky with the bike’s short height of 990 mm. Keep in mind that the pillion support is limited and you won’t have storage spaces unlike scooters.

VERDICT

The MX-EFI is very much a fun-oriented bike and is perfect for short commutes. If you’re looking for a bike that offers a fun ride despite being small in size, then the Motrac MX-EFI just might be the perfect bike to satiate all your needs. It provides you the same kind of confidence which is normally attributed with other motorcycles.

For specifications and pricing, click here

HIGHLIGHTS: