Bajaj Autorickshaw

12.04.10

When you think about mass markets, especially those involving motor vehicles, it¹s difficult to think of anything other than the Asian continent. India is well and truly riveted to Asia and enjoys a population figure of more than ONE BILLION people! Now that¹s a lot of human beings to transport around those terribly crowded giant cities that saturate that giant peninsular. India has a problem though, well not specifically India, more so the companies that try to sell their automotive products into their market. Massive import duties cripple any attempt to do so, which is why you never see much in the way of foreign vehicles in Bollywood movies. So, the only answer is to mass-produce and sell indigenous vehicles from mega companies like Bajaj. Consequently there is no doubt that the most common form of transport in India (with more than two wheels) is the motorised rickshaw. You¹d be amazed quite how many units that means in practice ­ we've been reliably informed that 10,000 of these cute three-wheelers are sold per day. Yes, per day! A truly ridiculous figure that most vehicle manufacturers can only dream of. SAM, or South African Merchants if you prefer, are the driving force behind Bajaj in SA (also importers of Jonway scooters), so they know a thing or two about transport for the masses. To expand their Bajaj range they¹ve now decided to import this bumblebee coloured autorickshaw (it only comes in yellow anyway). If I could choose any vehicle to be used as a Transformer robot, this would definitely be my first choice. How cool would that be, or that bee? And admit it, just like me, you¹re dying to drive the thing aren¹t you? That was my first impression ­ what a thing, it¹s bound to be a foul if not terrible experience to ride, or drive, depending on how you class this vehicle. It is after all, just a trike. Well, in all my years of being a scribbler for bike magazines I have never been more wrong. The Bajaj RE 4S is absolutely brilliant and, I reckon, worth every cent of its R29,995 price tag. Every household should have one because you¹ll never giggle so much in your life, at least not while on the move. Leaning out of the side of this autorickshaw asking anyone if they¹d like an ice cream, chocolate, or soft drink is a thoroughly enjoyable, if completely pointless experience. The Bajaj RE 4S is designed to carry three people in total comfort. The driver, or rider, sits on his/her own at the front and two passengers can then enjoy the bench seat. The RE has recently been SABS approved for our roads, and being 174cc, it can theoretically be taken on the highways. Interestingly the government¹s technical types Œrecommended¹ that the driver should wear a helmet, but the passengers don¹t need to! Since it¹s only a recommendation there¹s little chance of ever seeing anyone in an autorickshaw wearing a helmet. Only in South Africa, eh? The engine is underneath the backbench, a bit like a Volkswagen camper van, and it¹s a single cylinder 173cc air-cooled Bajaj motor, which means infinite reliability and superb fuel economy. The position of the powerplant also has the charming side effect of producing underseat passenger heating, sort of. This three-wheeler can also be modified to run on liquid gas, which many do in India. When Œgas powered¹ the engine will make a TAK-TAK noise, which is how these vehicles are affectionately known throughout the world. With only a claimed eight horsepower at 5,000rpm and 11.5Nm of torque at 4,000rpm don't expect violent acceleration. Bajaj claim, or recommend, a top speed of 55km/h. I managed to get it past 60km/h on the tiny handlebar mounted speedo, fully loaded with two passengers. Okay, it was downhill, so average cruising speed is likely to be much closer to the 40km/h mark. The RE 4S is easy to drive, a bit like riding an early Vespa scooter. The throttle is like a normal motorbike, which is on the right twist grip. The left grip can be rotated like a mountain bike to select the four gears, with the clutch located in the normal place. In the floor well is a fat brake pedal operating the tiny drum brakes, just judge your braking distances accordingly. So, after only a few seconds it all gels together and fun time begins. This three-wheel Bajaj also handles surprisingly well, just respect the inherent instability generated by a three-wheeler with interchangeable eight-inch wheels, if you know what I mean. It has a claimed turning circle of under six metres, but believe me it¹s much tighter than that. If you get stuck against an immoveable object don't worry, as there¹s a simple lever in the cab to select reverse. And an even bigger lever on the left side of the floor, which acts as hand operated kick-start! Weird to operate at first, but oh so cool for showing off. As I've just mentioned the RE 4S has a cab, but the best part is that it¹s also a convertible, so sod your mega expensive Audi TT thank you. It also comes with detachable side covers for the monsoon season, or maybe a visit to the car wash... As you can see this 300kg mass mover (or mover for the masses) more than impresses me. So much so that I want/need/must have, will get one for a long-termer. Can you imagine what an entrance you'll make at your local, with the roof down and your mates in the back you¹re sure to be noticed ­ a good thing at my age. The Bajaj RE 4S Autorickshaw 180 has to be a splendid idea for corporate promotions for that exact reason. Now available in SA, so go on, you know you want to ­ take a test ride and prepare to giggle.