Pulsed 11, 000 km on the dial and so now I feel it’s the right time to write what I have experienced pushing this machine (or rather this machine pushing me) to greater adrenalin pumping ranges. If it was not for this machine I would have been tamely commuting 30 so-so Kms regularly by those 20 feet long Ashok-leyland, maintaining straight tyre marks throughout the Sion –Panvel stretch.
Performance:
Based on the way I drove this 13.5bhp basanti, hmmm… basanti, because it has never, I mean it, never put me down in case some urchin with his set of valves tapping over some 148-149cc metal drum and extra decimal horses , tried to chase but gave up. Perhaps not made to race. Trust me, get on wheels of a mere Pulsar 150, that I drive, though u have option for one of the three elder brothers, and u will never feel any kind of lag in performance. It feels like a heavy weight torpedo fully under control, making way, darting ahead. Max I could try 112 kmph on the Palm-Beach road. Truly a heavenly feel. But this fun obviously forces u frequent pit-stops, so lets c its…
Fuel Efficiency:
Commuting at 42 kmph and 3300 rpm the mechanism will return u mileage figure somewhere between 50-55 kmpl. Whereas, throttling to 100 kmph clocking 8300 rpm, you’ll be left with only 38-40 kmpl. (Based on the daily drive from Anushaktinagar(BARC) to Juinagar (15kms), no signal, no traffic). This machine is much smoother than the previous 150 variant giving a serious competition to the Honda’s Unicorn, known for its whispered roar. A good factor but then I think it lacks that masculine feel. Nither do I luv the way Apache rumbles coz it gives off more of tappet noise. (Khrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr… not my type)
Maintenance:
And then who says maintenance is high. I was to buy the 180cc but the vendor told me about its high maintenance cost. This bike has never asked me for a medical check up, rather, I had to take it to the mechanic coz the dusty manual told me to. Only thing he had to do was oil change, chain greasing and body polishing. During the fifth servicing the mechanic asked me to change the spark plugs, although no complaint against them, I did, simply to prevent unexpected breakdown in future.
Complaints:
Yes, on the first checkup I had a small complaint. The headlight had a higher intensity slightly towards the right side. This made it little difficult for me to judge the road at speeds in excess of 65kmph at night. There was nothing the mechanic could do. I got used to it, no choice. One more thing, the handle bar pivot unit started to show its true color as the bunch of keys rubbing against it erased it off. The same part on my friend’s Unicorn bearing same date of purchase is still shining.
Quality & Stability:
The parts installed on a Pulsar are said to be of cheaper quality. Pulsar’s starter unit compared to a Honda is toooooooo rough. Spend time examining the way a Unicorn starts. U would fall in love. He kicked me for cranking his engine again and again for the sheer pleasure of studying the Honda’s passion for quality. Simply unique. Starting is a matter of milliseconds for him and seconds for me but after the four stroke cycle holds, its milliseconds for me and seconds for him to gain pace. Never did I felt this motor bike shivering at top speeds, inspite of the cross sea winds on the Vashi bridge. It induces a strong confidence in you to race on. I had once collapsed at the RK chowk due to slippery road, but I had bent too much. Now should we say that the bike doesn’t hug road?? No, can’t generalize. But are these machines and the roads meant for such stunts? Except for a micro-scratch on the metal end of the handle bar, there was no physical change on the body. It really proved a best safety factor, not available in the Hondas. Now if u understand structural rigidity u will not say Bajaj has installed cheap parts in it, none of the parts- switches, indicators, foot rest, mirrors have tried to suicide. Foolish to quote them cheap.
Technology:
Digital twin spark ignition, that’s DTSi., patented, an innovation by the Bajajs, ensures complete combustion of fuel and gives best mileage in its class. The exhaust pipe boosts ExhausTEC. Whats that? People used to ask me. It’s a small swirl chamber branching out of the silencer pipe below the oil sump. This reduces drag at lower range of speed by clearing off the exhaust easily, increases torque, ensuring quicker pickup. The digital speedometer doesn’t seem too peppy. The analogous was better. Also the digital fuel gauge often gives false level. Sometimes the backlight in the display fails to glow until u have to stop and restart the engine. Gearbox is comparatively smoother than the previous ones. Not even a single instance of false neutral. However, occasionally in the upper range of speed the gear slips to the immediate lower one. No idea if anyone else has ever experienced that.
Ergonomics and design:
Chiseled looks of the rear and the headlight assembly are admired the most, but somehow the bulky, out of proportion fuel tank has no takers in the design house of Bajaj. Take some lessons from the craftsmen of the beautiful Apache. Why do u want to copy and paste the same tank shell for all the four siblings (150, 180, 200, 220) and perhaps for the yet to come 300 too?? Ergonomically the riding position for this machine is extremely sporty and comfy. Slightly higher for the pillion rider though. The rear grab bar needs some correction. Remember that friend of mine who rides Unicorn, Manoj, often says that the rear side panel of my machine would come off some day if I was to do sudden accelerations again. It is difficult for him to hold the grab bar to ensure his bums maintaining contact with the bike all the time. Instead he holds the side panels. In view of this I tried to mount those sporty split grab bars borrowed from the elder. It was worst. Now my friend fears sliding off if I hasten more. But the bike looks beautiful with split grab bar. Rear mud guard vibrates bit too much. Sharing the Silencer pipe, indicators, rear view mirrors and the rear wheel mud-guard with the younger specie from Bajaj’s stable doesnot give pulsar a unique identity. But overall design has proved itself in the market since its launch in Nov 2001 and subsequent revisions thereafter, giving it a fresher look, innovative technology and revised top speed every time.