Did the 5-speed gearbox on the Discover 100 5G make a difference?

One of the best bits of the Bajaj Discover 100 5G was its 5-speed gearbox, something that most other 100cc bikes with 4-speed transmission lacked. Bajaj marketed this as a big advantage, and higher fuel efficiency on highways and a more relaxed ride at higher speeds. Opinions on its actual real world benefits were divided however. There were riders who swore by the 5th gear for long rides, and those who thought it was unnecessary for a 100cc engine and extra complexity. Debates raged about whether the 5th gear really made a difference on the mileage, or was just a gimmick. It also raised the question of the maintenance cost and reliability over time. Was the 5-speed gearbox a genuine innovation that made riding better, or an over-engineered solution to a problem that didn’t exist?