Hey all,
This is my ownership review of my Bumblebee, my Mustard yellow Pulsar 200NS.
Everyone knows the bikes specifications, so I won’t reiterate it.
The bike was initially available in black, yellow, blue andred colors.
However, now it is only available in dual colors, White-black, red-black, blue-black.
The primary single colors are/would no longer be available.
I bought it on 23rd June 2012 from Mumbai. The on-road price was 98, 500/- INR.
The following are the changes and/or replacements(periodic) done on the bike.
Engine oil - Every 3000-4000kms.
Oil filter - At every Engine oil Change
Brake pads - Front and rear once at 10k kms.
Spark plugs - All three at 12k kms
Air filter - at 12k kms
Chain-sprocket kit - at 18k kms
Also to note is that I ditched the Bajaj DTS-I 10000 oil(I am not sure of the exact name) for Motul 7100 20w50 FS.
This would NOT void the warranty that the Bajaj offers as I am using the same grade of oil as is preferred(20w50), confirmed the same with Bajaj.
My bike right now has done 18, 572 kms to be precise.
I have done multiple 200kms single side rides and I must tell that this bike inspires confidence even at high speeds.
Whilst on NH8, on my way to Daman, I topped at 141 Kmph odo & also managed to touch~130 Kmph odo with my girlfriend on NH3 and still the bike was rock stable.
Probably that is also because I am a bit gravitationally challenged(meaning I’m a bit bulky).
The downside of that is on roads that have uneven speed-breakers or if someone equally gravitationally challenged is a pillion rider, on uneven roads, the exhaust hits the speed-bumps.
Additionally, I have heard from many people that Bajaj has bad after sales service, I did not experience that. All you have to do is wait and keep a watch on the guys when they perform the servicing and not just leave your bike and go away. Care for your bike, take some efforts. Keep it clean. Wash it every weekend.
The tires are a big concern for all too. Some say it does not perform well on wet roads and slips, it is unstable etc. That is not true either.
Despite of riding around 18k kms on smooth highways of Gujarat, off-road in Malsej Ghats, potholes filled roads of the Mumbai suburbs, they have given me no trouble. Just 2 punctures on the rear and one on the front, that too because of the nails.
Another point of concern would be the pillion seat.
The pillion seat is not that lavish, If you have a slim girlfriend, you are lucky(like me;-) else again it’ll be a pain during long rides. We have covered long distances together, say somewhere around the 200kms nark one side and she had no comfort issues.
I have mentioned the following in the “Pros”:
Handling / Maneuverability: The vehicle is extremely flickable
Power: This baby’s got massive power. The low speed torque is also good and the high end power too is. You can literally climb a steep road on the second gear and still be not straining the engine.
Looks: I don’t need to say anything about it! It’s a looker ?
Acceleration: Probably not as much as the baby duke(Duke 200) may have, but I don’t think it’s much of a difference.
Improvements that the Bike could have:
Fuel Injection
ABS
Slightly bigger mirrors
The point to note is that if this bike had FI and/or ABS, the price would have gone well over 1L, which would have restricted many buyers including me to not buy this bike.
AAh…I almost forgot…the great Indian question “Kitna deti hai?”
In city roads with pot holes and traffic, I get around 38-40kmpl.
On pure highways I get around 45kmpl at a speed around 70kmph.
Once I got around 49 kmpl, but that was only once. So wouldn’t say 49 kmpl, that’d be a lie.
So mix, I get~42 kmpl on an average, which I think is pretty decent given the fact that it is a 200cc bike and also given my riding style.
So all in all, it’s a very good VFM(Value For Money) bike.
I love it and can vouch for it.
Hope this was helpful.
If you have any more questions drop it in the comments session.:)