Mahindra Mojo Long Term Review
Long Term Test No. 109
Bike Tested: Mahindra Mojo
Kms Done: 6431 kms
Test Started at: 1434 kms
Test Concluded at: 7865 kms
Mileage: 23.6 km/l (Combined), 22 km/l (City), 30 km/l (Highway)
Liters: 272.5 liters
Fuel Cost: Rs. 17,712/-
Rs. per km: Rs. 2.75/-
The words ‘solid, daunting, and solemn’, best describe the 300cc Mahindra Mojo
In 2015, Mahindra FINALLY did something that a certain set of enthusiasts had been waiting for since 2010, launch the Mahindra Mojo. We tested it last year and have been using one for quite some time now and all I can say for sure that this is one of the very few bikes in our fleet that has created a lasting impression. In our 7865 kms of testing , it’s safe to say that this Mahindra certainly has a mojo of its own.
The front assembly is one of the most eye catchy in the country
First things first, the Mojo is one weird looking bike, period. But it grows on you. You kind of start to appreciate the alien looking headlight, the massive USD forks and the petal discs, everything looks unreal. However, the rest of the motorcycle not sharing the same story does gather a mixed reaction from onlookers. Whatever! The Mahindra Mojo does succeed in gathering some eyeballs! I mean you’ve really gotta be the kind of person that is okay with so much attention. Not everyone can pull that off.
The Mojo loves being outdoors no matter what the terrain
The Mahindra Mojo does look intimidating at the first look, but with time you realise its true character. Personally, I was never a ‘touring’ guy but this one right here, opened new realms of comfort! The seat is adequately soft and the handlebar is perfect. Come to think of it, it’s very similar to the Royal Enfield Thunderbird, but only in terms of comfort. The heavy weight of the bike does get tiring after a few minutes in the city. But out on the highway, it’s like riding on rails! I don’t remember feeling fatigue for the first 300 kms of non-stop riding on the NH-4.
One of the very few bikes that suits a rider of any size
Speaking of long rides, the Mojo has an engine that is very well suited to the sports-tourer. You have that on-demand-pull to make those typical highway overtakes and with that butter smooth transmission, dropping a gear does not become boring even over time. However, the engine does knock slightly below 2500 RPM which forces you to stay in the mid-range which is, in fact, its sweet spot. The 4-valve DOHC motor does not mind revving till the rev-limiter with a good amount of power being felt from the mid to the highs. The Mahindra Mojo can cruise at up to 110 km/hr with ease still being in its powerband.
Same segment – two different characters
In my recent travelogue on the Mahindra Mojo with the Yamaha R3 and the Ducati Scrambler, I mentioned that the Mojo was the easiest one to ride and performed the best in all conditions. The engine felt very refined and stress-free even after riding for prolonged times. The NVH levels were well contained but the absence of a dB killer was sorely felt. The powerplant is too loud for long rides as the bassy exhaust note is one reason to cause a headache. The usual fuel consumption figures were seen to be around 25 km/l under highly mixed riding conditions. The worst mileage figure was 22 km/l which comprised of just urban riding.
The Mahindra Mojo is very well under control even off the tarmac
The Mojo handles pretty well for a for a cruiser with good mid-corner stability
One surprising facet about the Mahindra Mojo is the way it handles. It is, of course, heavy at 182 kgs, but the weight is fairly easy to throw around; especially around corners. Even though the footpegs scraping at low lean angles mean that the bike is not designed to corner hard, the Mahindra Mojo still does a good job. Coupled with a torque filled engine and tall gearing, the stable chassis makes for a fun ride around ghats and twisties. The suspension is a bit towards the softer side and the overall ride quality is also soft. The front USD forks do well in absorbing potholes. The gear shifts are butter smooth and clutchless shifting doesn’t feel too bad either.
A motorcycle to fulfill almost all your sports-touring needs
Returning to the long-term aspect, maintenance and service haven’t been the most impressive. The service network is decent but the quality is still lacking. Two days was the standard service time for our Mahindra Mojo…. wait, what? Our Mojo had to be serviced twice in our term of testing with just the regular maintenance and no major part replacements. The motorcycle felt barely different after servicing than it was before. It’s up to you to call it good quality or lack of service. The chain wasn’t cleaned properly and been only sprayed on with what one can only describe as a mixture of muck and grease. The biggest surprise was the brakes which had started squeaking within just a week of the last service. The squeaks on the rear brake were really loud and the front disc had totally lost braking power. This was within 6500 kms of not just testing but also the Mojo’s overall mileage!
All-black theme would have looked even better, don’t you think so?
The Mahindra Mojo however, is a tough motorcycle. Even after lack of service, it returned consistent mileage figures. There were never any unwanted noises or vibrations from any panels whatsoever. The suspension worked flawlessly on the worst of roads while the tyres held up to their end of the deal too. The Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres are first of a kind on any Indian motorcycle and provided with excellent grip on the roads. The wet grip at first felt insufficient but with a few kilometers, with a little heat generated in them, the tyres again felt really good.
The Mahindra retains its mojo no matter where it treads
In our long term highly versatile test, the Mahindra Mojo was put against a few bikes in its segment. Although it wasn’t always a winner, it did manage to shame its competition in a few areas. In all the 6000 kms of testing, there was never a moment where the Mojo didn’t feel its money’s worth. And just like we crib about most Indian bikes, ABS should have been offered at least on the newer models of the Mahindra. However, it is needless to say that the Mojo is a very unique bike which is a tad late to the quarter-liter party in India. It’s 2017 and newer bikes by different brands are fast adapting to the trend. The important question is, can Mahindra do what it takes to keep its Mojo in contention for the ever increasing demand for power and engine specs.
The Mojo takes on any challenge that it comes across
Mahindra Mojo Cost Of Service
* Service cost – Rs. 550/-
* Engine oil – Rs. 1053/- (Castrol POWER 1 10W50)
* Oil Filter – Rs. 92/-
* Coolant – Rs. 169/-
* Miscellaneous – Rs. 481/-
What’s Cool
* Build quality is pretty solid
* Large and unique looking headlight assembly with powerful headlamps
* The twin exhaust mufflers have a good finish and have a bass-filled exhaust note
* Grippy Pirelli Diablo Rosso tyres come as standard on the bike
* Impressive dynamics for a heavy (segment-wise) sports-cruiser
* Engine and gearbox feel super-refined; low NVH levels
What’s Not So Cool
* Questionable service quality offered by authorised service centers
* Brakes faded away too early
* Tiny pillion seat offers virtually no comfort
* Disproportionate looking front and rear
* Footpegs and side-stand scrape even on low lean angles
* Lack of provision to mount any kind of luggage
Further Reading –
Mahindra Mojo Long Term Video Review
Mahindra Mojo Long Term Review – Initial Report
Royal Enfield Himalayan vs Mahindra Mojo
Royal Enfield Himalayan vs Mahindra Mojo – Video