I am from Nashik, a City in Maharshtra. Here the roads are bad but worse is the City’s Driving Sense (rather lack of it). I therefore wanted to buy something that would be Really fast and Reliable to help me avoid the idiotic traffic of this city. I closed in on the PULSAR-220 DTS-Fi.
Got a call from the Dealer on 05/07/2007 that this bike has finally arrived. I went to get a first look and had gone ready with my documents. The Bike looked amazing. Red Pulsar was on Display and with the first glance I knew I would be buying it right away. I asked for a test ride. The dealer flatly refused. He said Test ride was not possible as Company had strictly disallowed it. So I had to buy it to feel the throttle. I bought it! Finally on 07/07/07 I Got the delivery of my BIKE (220 - DTS-Fi Red Colour). It looks Great, probably the best looking INDIAN BIke.
Day- 2. After a short ride to the Market, the engine refused to turn off. I even removed the keys, tried shutting the engine off by putting the vehicle in gear and releasing the clutch abruptly. It stopped for a moment and restarted when I put the gear back to neutral. The starter got jammed and the battery got drained. I called up the dealer who immed arranged for a mechanic and the mechanic arrived where I was stranded within 10 minutes. He informed me that the Starter relay was faulty and it needed a replacement. He gave me his Boxer CT and took my Pulsar himself to the Workshop.
Day -3 the dealer called and informed me that my bike was ready and the Starter relay fault was rectified. I thanked him and returned home. That evening again while riding the bike I noticed Oil indicator on my Panel flashing, probably indicating that Oil was less. I called up the dealer who asked me to bring the bike to the showroom. I promptly did. It was indicator error as the oil level was correct. he told me they would check it in detail when I give the bike for first service.
Day-4 the bike refused to start in the morning. I did all the checks that I could, the bike would not start at all. I rang up the dealer, gave him a Blasting and asked him to send a mechanic right away. The mechanic arrived promptly and gave me a Pulsar150 breakdown bike and took my bike to the Workshop. Afternoon, the Mechanic rang up and informed me that there was a loose contact with the starter relay that was replaced on day-2. I was shocked and gave all abuses that I could think of to BAJAJ, the Dealer and the mechanic. I finally got my bike back that evening and since then it has not developed any snags.
Performance wise, The Throttle is great, the Gears are better and the rear Disc Brake is a boon. Looks stunning and is a head turner, gathers onlookers and crowds wherever it is parked. Gives a mileage of around 25 kmpl. Wheelee not tried as yet (due to RPM restrictions), but stoppees are efficient !
On the downside, Handling is not up to the mark. It oversteers if a Wave is done on high speeds. Speedo gives faulty messages of Low Batt and Low Oil but Dealer has assured that Bajaj is working on it and new Speedo’s would be provided the moment they are out in the Market.
Overall, I am a little Disappointed! I never expected Bajaj to roll out this bike without enough of Testing.
Moral of the Story that I have learnt " Looks are often deceptive"
*P.S. Day - 20 - Got the first service done 2 days back. The bike’s mileage has gone up from around 24 to 26. No further Starter problems faced since day-5. Speedo error of Low Batt/Oil continues. Dealer/Mechanic says new Speedo’s are due any time and would be replaced with the old ones under warranty. RPM restrictions go off and hence have started ripping the bike. 1st Gear - 38, 2nd Gear - 65, 3rd Gear - 87, 4th Gear - 104 and Top gear touched 115 with ease. Handling not all that great but accleration Superb. Rear Disc Brakes efficient and overall better than the initial Days!
P.S. Day- 52 - Got the 2nd Service Done. Got all initial problems rectified. Handling much Better now as the Service Center Mechanic re-aligned the Clip-on Handle Bars. Mileage up to around 31 KmPl in City Driving. Speedo Error still Continues as new Speedo’s for 220 still not provided by BAJAJ. Max Speed touched till date is 129Kmph but I believe bike Capable of doing around 135Kmph. Rear Discs are really fantastic specially at High speeds, and, contrary to the Popular Belief, the Bike does not skid on applying rear brakes!
Still, I believe Bajaj could have done much more with the kind of Price they ask for this Bike!