PULSAR 220: STREET FIGHTER: A REVIEW
The P-220 is old hat now.
I got mine early August and have done some 2000 kms already. Some other
friends like GR and Arpan have the same bike same color. Ours is steel grey
color. Even Venkat has a new Red 220.
One thing about the
Street Fighter: Once I get on the bike
I don’t want to get off it. The ride pleasure is that good.
On my first ride out to the Mutha Ghats, I had a tough time
finding the kick starter. Later Venkat told me no kicker on 220! No fuel c*ck
also. There is some pump fitted to inject fuel.
I joined a ship 10 Aug, which was not sailing and took the
brand new bike to Mumbai.
For running in the bike, every Sunday, I used the Palm Beach
road at Nerul, near Vashi, New Bombay. Here I met many cyclist clubs, racing
cycles. I met one cycle man dressed like Armstrong. He told me his cycle cost
him some Rs. 1.25 Lacs!
The bike rides beautifully tween 4000-6000 rpm. Occasionally
I ripped to 90 kmph. No sweat.
I did a lot of city biking on the Marine Drive, Malabar Hill
and Colaba area. I was amazed to see so many people stop by and ask about the
bike. In a city like Mumbai, where people spit on Mercedes, it was nice to be
asked questions about the P 220.
Surprisingly, I did not see another P-220 on the South Mumbai roads. No
wonder 220 has a status here. Plenty of ZMA’s here but they look dated. ZMA’s
are noiseless. 220 has a bad throat like noise.
At the United Services Club, where I entertained many
bikers, the 220 drew curious on lookers. Even Anil Ambani stopped by to say
hello to Street Fighter. An Orkut friend loved riding as pillion. She was
ecstatic. Something like the AXE
effect.
HANDLING
Compared to the Avenger, I found it so nice to handle the
- Taking corners is easy at any speed.
The road grip is solid. You can trust this bike at high speeds.
The gear shift is much smoother. No false neutrals. The LED
panel, indicator lights, LCD displays, direct fuel injection all are wonder
innovations.
The rear disk break is fantastic. Awesome by any standards!
Regretfully, I don’t have full riding gear to race with the
Rubber Smoking Angels. Else the Mutha Ghat at Pune is the place to ride the
Street Fighter.
TOURING
I think this bike can be used for touring without causing
any back aches. The seating position is a bit aggressive, but fine. Is there
enough repair support available at places like Leh to ride this bike?
Mumbai Pune Ride
17th Oct, I signed off and rode the 220 to Pune,
with my wife in a Santro carrying all my luggage. After Panvel, I slowly
started to take the bike to the limits. 80-90-99 was easy. On the S bends I
could take her to 75. The bike grips the road well. Avenger would have thrown
me off.
I figured I could go faster. “! Ride the bike as if you
stole it!”, said a 220 rider. Slowly I took her to 95-100-105-110. The feel
was like driving a Ferrari at a fraction of the cost of the car. There was
juice left in the engine to go higher. But I did not want to risk the engine,
coz I have done almost 2300 kms and due for servicing. I have no idea how much
oil is left in the sump. The last oil
change was at 500 kms.
The Khandala ghats were fun too.I am lucky that we have Mr. Pendharkar in Pune to take care
of our high tech bikes. Guys in Mumbai n Hyd are crying for support.
Ride On…….
Captain Nandu Chitnis