The complete bike! That’s how I would describe my new black Bajaj Pulsar 150 cc, kickstart motorbike. I’ve just owned it for a few weeks and am completely smitten by the looks, the power, the handling, the stability and the mileage offered by the machine (but more about all that later). Having owned Hero Honda models for over 10 years, I was initially reluctant to switch to another make. But one visit to the Bajaj showroom, one look at the macho stud of a bike on display there, one sample of it’s strong-silent type of firing and finally one short ride on a friend’s Pulsar had me switching loyalties faster than politicians switch parties. As this was perhaps going to be the last two-wheeler in my life - my next vehicle will most probably be a car, I hope - I wanted a bike I’d feel really good about. I have always loved motorcycling and I reckoned that this would be my last opportunity to indulge myself. So I spent extra time and efforts researching all the new and not-so-new bike models on the market and finally made up my mind to go for a Bajaj Pulsar after getting bombarded by an overwhelming amount of good press and positive word-of-mouth about it (much of it through MouthShut.com). And today I am a proud owner of undisputably the best new motorcycle in India.
Here’s my assessment of the machine. Please bear in mind that as my Pulsar is still in the running-in period, I have not really got the opportunity to push it to its limits.
LOOKS - No bike in India comes close to the Pulsar in looks. It’s extra-large but aesthetically designed fuel tank, the prominent recesses for the rider’s legs and the infinity-shaped side panels give it a distinct personality. You can recognize the bike from among dozens parked in a row.
POWER - As my Pulsar is still in the running-in period, I am strictly following the speed limits stipulated by the Bajaj engineer. But God! it’s sooooo difficult to keep oneself from opening the throttle full-blast. Keeping the bike inside the speed limits feels a bit like holding a tiger on a leash. And I am only talking about the Pulsar 150. Get the idea?
HANDLING - Though I have been brought up on lighter Hero Hondas, the considerably heavier Pulsar does not pose any problems for me. The reason could be the thoughtfully balanced form and weight distribution of the bike. A slightly lower centre of gravity gives it more stability and makes it easier for the rider to control the bike. Also the assorted control knobs and buttons, that look confusing in the beginning, rapidly grow on you and within a day or two of riding, you get used to all of them. The ’’pass’’ button and the choke on the left handlebar are especially convenient and useful features. The Pulsar’s stability is in evidence particularly when negotiating sharp curves. All in all, riding it feels a bit like sitting in the back-seat of an open car.
MILEAGE - It’s difficult to know the precise mileage given by a bike during the running-in period but mine gives around 50kmpl as of today and with my careful and mature riding habits I expect to push the 60kmpl figure after the running-in. Not bad at all for me, considering that it’s a 150cc bike that gives me immense riding pleasure every time I take it for a spin.
COMFORT - The Pulsar is quite comfortable for both the driver as well as the pillion. I took the wife for a long ride out of the city last Sunday and she just loved the experience.
IMAGE - Though some people might regard the Pulsar as a bad-boy bike - gentlemen ride Splendors I hear - I feel it is more of a high-end status-symbol bike. Something like an Opel Corsa of bikes. My colleagues seem to be impressed with it. And yes, I am still a perfect gentleman.
PROBLEMS - The only problem I have experienced so far is that sometimes the bike goes into false-neutral when shifting gears. But it’s more of a nuisance than a serious technical issue I think. And I am sure it will be resolved by the engineers during my next service.
To wrap up I’ll say this: The Bajaj Pulsar is a bike created with ’’passion’’ and ’’ambition’’; it’s got ’’splendor’’, ’’energy’’, ’’fiery’’ power and the A to ’’CBZ’’ in features; it pumps the owner’s ’’adrenaline’’, gives him true ’’freedom’’ and makes him feel like the ultimate ’’victor’’ on the road. It’s the Complete Motorbike.
Hats off to Rajiv Bajaj and his team! And thanks MouthShut.com for helping me select this superb product.