’’CHANGE is the only scope!’’ That is fast becoming the reality in the biking world. With companies such as TVS Motors and Bajaj Auto taking to this maxim, their products too are evolving continuously.
The Pulsar DTSi itself is Bajaj’s ’’change for the better’’ story and partly the response to the re-launch of the Fiero. The Hero Honda CBZ in the 150cc category and the Hero Honda Karizma in the 180cc plus category are again running, or rather riding, the race with the Pulsar DTSi. So, here is a comparison between these four that are really the only bikes worthy of a ’’headlamp to headlamp’’ confrontation. The ’’also ran’’ would be Kinetic’s GF Laser and GF 170.
Before the launch of the Pulsar DTSi, the Fiero F2 was the best-reworked bike in the category. The Fiero F2, in classic TVS style, focuses squarely on fuel efficiency despite being in the executive commuter segment where customers are typically a little less sensitive to this aspect.
The Pulsar 150 has the smallest 143.9cc burner amongst its peers in this class. Since we have already been through the pluses of the Pulsar DTSi last week, the minuses would be the comparatively less refined engine and gearbox, the thinner seat and more inclined riding posture. The five-speed gearbox also continues to be nagged by false neutrals and shifting the gears back has to be done cautiously. The DTSi is also slower on the uptake compared to the CBZ, though it is on a par with the F2. The Hero Honda bike would still be the first off the block.
Despite these problems, the DTSi will be our choice. For its new age styling, improved engine performance, better power delivery and for the sheer pleasure that it affords the biking aficionado, while bringing in more mileage than its predecessor, the Pulsar DTSi 150 is the real performance bike that can also be expected to be light on your wallet. As for the Pulsar DTSi 180cc, its slightly more refined engine offers a max power of over 16PS, just a notch lower than the 17PS offered by the 223cc burner in the Hero Honda Karizma.
To be honest, I have always been a big admirer of Yams. I myself own a RD 350 & RX 100 & nothing compares to them.
Riding comfort I dont like, may be coz for 9 years I am driving Yamaha, so I was not very happy with posture. Petrol tank is Fat & looks ugly to me. I like Sleek bikes. It’s a personal perception if you like it u can go for it (DTSI). If u need power buy a 2nd hand Yamaha RX 100 & throw some 5-7 grands on modification change the rear tyre to 3.25 / 16 & front 2.50 / 18 if u wish u can do the porting it’ll give u boost of 3-4 BHP but Piston will not last Long if u love giving throttle. One more thing change the silencer to KRP (original will cost u somewhere between 2, 500 - 3000).
Unless you are passionately in love with the Karizma and its stocky styling and do not mind paying about Rs 25, 000 more than the on-road tag for the DTSi 180, the more powerful Pulsar twin will be the better of the two choices.