This could be the best compliment Bajaj might ever have got: According to BIKE magazine, Honda has declared that they are working on equipping twin-spark plugs to all 100-125 cc engines everywhere in the world.
It increases power and fuel economy at the same time. Honda might go a step further but this itself is a BIG compliment and assertion that Bajaj is doing right things from a last few years.
Before buying 180 DTSi I had (& still have) RX135 4 speed. I was looking for more comfortable/heavy premium bike. As RX135 had 12bhp wanted to have bike with more or at least the same power.
Update to Pulsar Dec2004: Checkout comments section for updates on Pulsar after Unicorn’s launch.
I test drove Karizma, CBZ, Ambition, WIND125 & Thunderbird!! Well, a diverse group but just wanted to check how it felt. Cost/Money was not a criteria but I wanted my purchase to be a good value. Karizma was a good one but styling some elements came across as an afterthought. Also, 17bhp at 90+K it didn’t justify my value factor. But wouldn’t blame anyone going for it over competition. Now that it is cheaper by Rs10, 000, it is more attractive.
CBZ: Good bike, although NOBODY recommends it! Even the Local Hero Honda showroom engg (who is also my friend) suggested a look at Bajaj Pulsar twins before buying the CBZ! Ambition: Lack of power & styling. (Well, the new ambition with CBZ fairing looks much better).
Finally, test drove Pulsar 150 & liked handling but left me wanting for more power, so test-drove 180 & bang!!! That was it! Waited 5 days for a RED one to come in. The bike has phenomenal power at 16hp. The Power was my primary concern otherwise 150 DTSI is a very good deal. It also gives average of 55-60 Kmpl to my friends. Anyone opting for 150-DTSI is perfectly fine & would feel more power is needed only riding with a pillion.
The Rear tire (weak on 150) is satisfactory & helps handling/road-holding. It could still be broader but then would affect mileage I guess. (I didn?t care much for mileage as long as it was more than 35 Kmpl) :)
It is more than 7 months now & have put 7000+ kms on it! Have found the Ride highly compliant & comfortable, the seat could have been a bit wider but still not bad. I am 6? 1?? & find the riding position very comfortable. 180 has short-handle bars & sometimes I wish for the default ones! The grip is too harsh though but somehow I have got used to it. Not sure why it is so harsh & rough. Other down side is dust particles getting into the pattern of the grip & making hand dirty after a ride of 15 minutes, specially if it is hot/humid. I am searching for some better/softer grip.
The 5 speed (1 down 4 up) Gearbox is really sweat & almost Honda-like butter-smooth. The 178.xx cc Engine revs like mad & have taken bike to 100+ Kmph several times, can?t go more than that due to road/traffic limitations. For the city driving the bike pulls almost in any gear without a need to downshift. Sometimes while traveling at 70 kmph I feel that bike could use 6th gear. A weird thing is that the bike gives some vibrations at the speed of 65kmph (in the 5th gear) but they go away at 67-68 !!! Don’t know how to explain this. Maybe ’natural frequency’ of some part matches at that engine speed etc? There are no vibrations after that speed up to 100kmph! strange!
Overall, the Power is phenomenal, have raced with several CBZs/150s on the stoplights & smoked them badly! :) Also raced with a Karizma once & was surprised to see my 180 going faster to 80 Kmph Karizma caught up at around 85 but was still some 7 feet behind, we let it go at around 110Kph.
Color: Somehow Bajaj?s color quality is not as good as Honda?s! Even Passion Plus color quality (deepness & thickness) is a little better than Pulsar! They need to improve in this regard.
Styling: The looks of the bike are just GREAT. The new fairing is done exactly in the spirit of the rest of the bike. The Twin street hawk lights make it look really mean (don?t mess with me attitude!). The Fuel-Tank is as striking as before. The new Bajaj-Logo & new Pulsar name on the tank also looks sharp. The red color looks real special. The Silencer/Exhaust-Pipe has been modified & it adds to the bikes already great looks. The instrument panel is as before, simple yet elegant. The bike looks good from almost any angle. 180’s fat rear tire adds to the overall strength displayed by the rest of the styling.Overall, the bike looks just awesome.
There is really no competition out there to at least to 180 DTSI. The nearest rival Karizma is 20K+ dearer & offers not much advantage in any department of riding. Have heard a few complaints about (on this site) the fuel gauge but somehow mine is been pretty consistent so far. Will keep you guys posted.
Overall VERY HAPPY with the bike. Fuel Economy Getting average of 45 Kmpl in mixed city/highway driving & it was really surprising to me! I was expecting around 35/37. I am sure it will touch 55 kmpl if I go for a long drive.
Durability I have some doubts about the durability of the Bajaj Products. The sole reason why I chose RX135 a few years back when KB125 (RTZ) offered better dynamics, better driving position, better tires & comfort level. The existing KB125 & RTZ on the road looked real old just after 6-8 months.
This time I think Pulsar is going to be an exception, looking at the quality of materials used & the overall build quality. The materials used in silencer, Handle Bars, Side Panels is much better than other Bajaj products. So let us wait & watch. Just look at how CD100s of 80s have held their own despite so much of age.
Update : 5th May 2004
Just got the 2nd servicing done. Bike is still averaging 45-47 on double seat & in mixed driving. Had to replace rear tube due to a puncture 2 weeks back. Apart from that going very good.
Update : 10th July 2004
Have reached almost 5000 Kms. Driving 30kms per day to/fro office. Getting 45-47Kmpl with enthusiastic driving! :-) Someone broke my left mirror in the parking.
Update : 8th Nov 2004
Completed 7000Km & going strong as new. In the 3rd servicing the guy went overboard & lubricated a little too much. Washed it by hand 2/3 times to remedy that. The speedometer cable has a loose contact & need to go in to get that checked. But overall its going perfectly!