Hello Friends!
This review is based on my swthrt pulsar 180 UG-3 purchased in October 2006, done almost 30, 000+ kms now. I have had enough of experiences within this period to write a fair review.
I can just recollect the time when I just had started working and had my own savings, was quite eager to have a bike of my own. Was quite crazy about bikes and finally shortlisted two bikes after doing a lot of research about bikes, The 180 and Zma. Was not interested in bullets as they are elephants and not meant for sprinting, wanted something sporty. On further reviewing the details and experiences of different owners, shortlisted 180 as I was amazed by its looks with its wolf eyed facelifted front, digital LCD, sharp edge, and LEDs, which was the first time ever any bike had introduced in India, mileage was a cherry on the cake. Do keep in mind, bajaj had this as the only upper segment bike at that time as 200 and 220 had not yet been launched.
The bike later became more of a public transport for chicks for daily pick ups and drops. Colleagues, friends, classmates everything was fun man and enjoyed every part of it. I cared a dam when I had everyone envying as I had one of the hottest bike around, second look guaranteed whereever it went. People used to know me by "THE 180 GUY" Used to find ppl admiring the bike in parkings and enquiring about the mileage.
Then came the time when I had to commute almost 35 km every day to my office and back home, which till date continues. This too is fun and I am always eager to come to the office as I cant just miss the fun to ride my darling. It excites me even today. During weekly offs and times when I am out of station, miss my darling badly, this shows how addicted this baby has made me to. My GF too questions me, whats comes first for u ME or ur Bike, which still I havent been able to sort out. He he he.
Enough of introduction bout me, now lets get down to the performance aspect of it.
I have done ample of long trips on this bike and city riding too. To tell this bike is rock stable at high speeds. The highest speed attained was 115. Vibrations creep in past 90, but not much and mirrors begin to blur. I have done mumbai pune distance in 2.5 hrs flat ample of times. I have driven at speeds 100+ constantly ripping it. Ghats are fun on this bike when u see others struggling to get through and zooming them past. I can rely my babe whether it is travelling 500+ kms at a stretch or reaching office in time when ur late due to ur laziness and want to avoid boss’ scouldings.
Long rides used to give me back aches and wrist aches in the beginning, but later got used to it. But now, no trace of tiredness other than hips getting sore due to lack of lumbar support at 200+ km rides at a stretch.
I have experimented the bike at all power bands and finally have settled on riding at 4000 rpm at speeds around 50 for deriving the max mileage from this bike. It gives an unbelievable 58 km to a liter in city riding using simple petrol. I dont think so u have any thing more to expect from this beast. I dont think so premium petrol is that useful for indian bikes and performance is felt better on simple petrol. It gives 41-44 kmpl at speeds of around 90 to 110 on highways. Rip the engine in city being the first one to leave the signal or impress chick or being challenged by another biker, and it gives around 43 kmpl.
The engine builds up a lot of heat with long rides and city ripping, but I think it is way 180 works, u dont need to get too concerned about it. Just make sure the oil levels are perfect. Yea oil levels, I remember the last service I was too bz with my schedule and it slipped out of ma mind to check oil levels. During the routine servicing, the mechanic told me that the oil extracted was too low and its dangerous riding at such low levels. Due to the heat generated by the black engine, the oil tends to go low very soon due to evaporation.
Performance wise, this bike has always amazed me. I have smoked many other bikes and cars too. Smokin cars have only been limited to three cylinder cars like the 800 and alto. The rest have an upper hand over it and cant stand at speeds over 110 and big cars will zoom past you. The bikes which can dust off 180 are namely 200, 220, Zma, although have beaten Zma till initial 70-80, but then Zma takes over. Havent raced with R15 yet, so cant tell.
Maintenance wise, this bike is almost maintenance free. Other than routine services, havent spent even a ruppee. Had changed the worn clutch assembly at 25, 000 km. Totally accepted as this is a power bike and ur riding habits.
Going back into past, I remember the 180s had come up with fear the black theme, black theme with alloys was something new for indian bikes. Other than Zma, no other indian bike had come up with alloy wheels and black theme. So at that time, was an attention seeker on roads. Now, even splendor has come up with black theme and its become so common. I think the sales of 180s have gone low due to its strong competitor 200.
The engine continues to roar more harder each time it is serviced. It roars even at speeds of 60.
Gears can be notchy at times and I would say can be irritating at times. Finding neutrals can be challenging as the gears get stuck up in either 1st or 2nd and requires a lot of patience. Otherwise, fine during runs. It is something that u need to get used to if u own a pulsar. Clutch is smooth though.
Electricals are good and horns are powerful with normals. Sounds quite loud. Had my friend enquiring whether I changed the original ones to louder ones as he owns a unicorn, was hard for him to believe that these are standard ones.
I get my bike serviced regularly through the probiking and Teflon coating is done every 3 to 5 months. This bike still shines like new and has not retained much scratches on it apart from some stupid scratches due being mishandled by other bikes during parkings. Just the day before yesterday, was talking to one of my friend and just another colleague of mine asked mine, "Wah naya bike" when did u purchase. I just blushed and said, "yeh to apna pehle wala hi hai."
I have modified the grab rails, split seat, open chain cover, and tank scratch guard which has increased the killer looks of the bike. Replaced the rear tyre to 120/80 ones. I have installed an autocop too, which is hardly of any use.
I am looking forward to modifying the bike to touch 130 kmph with imported air filters and final drive modifications. Would like to smoke bikes like R15 and 200 with ease and enjoy crusing at speeds of 100, which it is pretty much capable of and being shortgeared spoils the fun. But again, racing should be purely done on highways as it is quite risky to race in city as u cant just predict the other person’s move in traffic. Rickshaws and some slow moving vehicles can be problematic. Some people can act so irresponsible and just ignore even having a look at the upcoming traffic and no lane discipline, that annoys me.
I am in love with this bike even today and I think this bike has a lot of goodies stored in.
Will be purchasing a car soon, but the strong old memories associated with this bike will live forever.
So bye all you bike lovers, keep reading.
Luv,
Ride Safe. Life is precious.