Before I begin, I’d like to clarify that I’m a novice at biking and the Pulsar 200 is the first bike I’ve ever purchased. I have had cars though, but it took a great deal of cajoling, to convince my parents who finally withdrew their stiff opposition for a motorbike.
My black machine is mean, it’s sexy and it’s fast! I bought it on October 6th and have ridden it for about 300 kms so far. I haven’t exceeded the speed limit (60 kmph) since it’s in the run in period but have used it in city conditions and highway as well.
The P200 made me forget that I am a novice, who has just ridden a P150, a CBZ and a Karizma two to three times before buying it. It is rock steady, grips the road amazingly well and as is obvious, is a head turner.
The gearshift felt amazingly smooth during the first 50-60 kms, but I’m noticing that it is slightly reluctant to shift from Gear 1 to 2 and vice versa after the engine heats up and you’ve covered about 15-20 kms in the top gear at speeds varying between 40 -60 kmph. Also, the silencer which was sparkling silver at purchase has turned yellow-golden within the first 150 kms. I checked with the Probiking guys and they told me it is normal as the make and quality of the silencer is different from the conventional ones used in P150 and P180.
It’s giving approx. 42 kmpl as average for now and has shown no signs of instability, vibrations or inefficient braking yet.
I’ll come back with more comments once I finish 500 kms and give it for its first service.
November 23, 2007
Pardon the delay in getting back with the updates. Its been a month and a half and over 2000 kms on my P200 and there are some SERIOUS updates I need to share..
Pros:
a) Steady average - 40-42kmpl - city peak hours + highway combined - max speed 80kmph
b) Stable, very stable at high speeds
c) No noise or unfamiliar vibrations observed
d) The bike generates some serious thrust post 5000 RPM
Cons:
a) The sign for Over Heating went blinking around 1000 kms - when I took it for inspection at the service centre - the problem was identified as a ’switch’ issue below the engine which has electrical sensors sending message to the indicator - the said ’switch’ was replaced.
b) Getting the bike into NEUTRAL is a very difficult task - if the bike is brought to a halt in any gear (especially when the engine is fully warmed up). I need to keep the clutch depressed (holding in 1st gear) in bumper to bumper traffic in Mumbai or switch off the ignition on long signals. While in motion, there is no problem shifting gears or finding neutral.
c) Rear drum brake is a nail in the boot - Bajaj hasnt been able to do much about it. Given the tire (120 x 80) a drum brake simply stands no ground. One has to rely on Engine braking and the front disc as you simply cannot trust the rear one - its extremely ineffective, even after service!