This is a review based on my own experince in riding the three bikes I have bought in my 28 years on the planet. The RD 350 , The Pulsar 180 Classic and The Karizma 223 CC. I have clocked a total of around 1, 15, 000 km + on all three combined. Well if you are looking for a technical review in which you would find things about gear ratios, torque-power characteristics, torque-rpm graphs...and all the other things that dont matter as much as driving fun...this is not the review for you, others who enjoy riding more than numbers riding them Read On...
Based on Performance
Yamaha RD 350
Nothing and I mean absolutely nothing comes close to the RD (HT or LT, I have the imported Jap HT, though I have ridden the indianised desi LT too) in terms of raw performance. Forget the Pulsar and Karizmas, this mean machine used to eat much larger bikes(750 CC Ducatis ) for breakfast, lunch and dinner, hence the nickname "Giant Killer". So the teeny weeny pulsars and zmas would not even count as starters for this beast. A stock RD 350 HT has around 38 HP and to think of it that is 4 HP more than the 16.5 + 17 that the pulsar and the karizma combined put together, need I say more. Its not just the power, it is the way it reaches the wheels and how it makes you feel. This bike seriously scares you sometimes as you want to rev it harder and harder. I have had a couple of bad falls at 150+ Kmph, but even them accidents couldnt keep me away from trying harder to break the 100mph mark. The sound that this thing makes when it touches the 5500-6000 rpm on the tacho could turn heads faster than Aishwarya Rai on a Hayabusa. Anyway I could write a book on this but there are other bikes I have to mention as well. Before I go here are a few numbers 0-120 in 7 secs 120 - 160 in another 8 secs, top whack of 165+ on the HT and a six (yes 6) speed gear box to boot.
Karizma 223 CC
We had to wait another 20 years after the RD for another performance driven bike with no claim to those astounding mileage figures associated with Hero Hondas. First things first, for an almost quarter liter bike this is grossly under powered, maybe they wanted the engine to be stress free so they de tuned it or something, but whenever I ride it I feel this could do much more than it delivers.Cannot and should not be compared to the RD as they are atleast a few classes apart eventhough the Zma is 20 years more advanced in terms of technology(well atleast in terms of time anyway) The Zma is quite zippy and though I have never got to 0-60 in 3.8 exhilirating seconds as the brochure claims but I have got there in around 5 still exhilirating seconds. The engine being de tuned and being a honda is smooth as a babys bottom, the gear shifts are the best in the market and the bike really starts performing after the 80 kmph mark. You wouldnt believe that you are drving at those speeds unless you look at the speedo or at the cars receeding away in your rear view mirror. Well the claims are of a 120 kmph top whack but a mechanic could tune it to around the 140 mark with some mods like K&N filters and racing plugs with maybe another 5-6 km loss on the mileage, but we are here for mile speed not for mileage arent we. The vibrations of the RD are not here as the power delivery is also very smooth, maybe thats where the 20 year advancements come in. But overall performance wise I would rate it second above the 80kmph mark.
Pulsar 180 Classic
I have riden all versions of the Pulsar, but even though some might disagree with me, I think this is the best version so far. Forget the DTSi and the Exhaustec, when you are in the lookout for power and power delivery and when you are looking at the Pulsar stable for a Steed, the Pulsar 180 Classic stands out like a stallion. The real male, the one whose headlights turn at the sight of the nurse. I think and I have done it on several occasions, that the 180 classic could out run the newer DTSi . One reason could be that the newer ones have smaller wheels or maybe of the ignition lag present due to DTSi or maybe its just that the Classic is always better. There is always the problem with false neutrals and gear shifts. Well here comes the controversial part of the review, I am trying to be as unbiased as possible. I think this is part of an ongoing 2 year old war on MouthShut, but here goes: I would rate the 180 above Zma at speeds below 60 Kmph, its more zippier in its pick up, maybe because its lighter than the Zma. But after the 60 + mark the Zma moves farther and farther apart, the 180 I think has a lot of vibration above 85 and becomes a very scary ride above the 100 mark. I wouldnt recommend going above 120 on any pulsar dtsi or classic, as it would maybe induce some stress gamage. I tried it once I swore I wouldnt do it again.The Last Word... Well below the 60 mark definitely better than the Zma(but the Zma is also de tuned) but above the 60 mark it comes a close(but not close enough) second to the Zma.
Based on other things that dont matter as much and things that dont matter at all.
Yamaha RD350
Handling:
It is like the Rock of Gibraltor, you could weave in and out of traffic all day and not to mention those corners at 80+ speeds, it wouldnt blink.
Brakes:
The braking maybe deserves better attention as 100-0 is as important as 0-100. Well there the bike disappoints. Well we cant complain, the bike is 20 years old. But with the attachements of Dics maybe the braking would be excellent. Better safe than on the road skidding away at 100+ speeds.
Mileage:
Go buy a kinetic 4s, heard it went from Kashmir to Kumari of Kanya on just 35 litres of fuel. Lets not compare Divine performance with mere mortal things like mileage. 20-30 kmpl subject to driving.
Looks :
20 years old remember.
Karizma 223 CC
Handling:
Because of the length of the bike and the front fairing weaving maybe a bit difficult, but at speeds above 80kmph it handles like a beauty, very smooth, maybe we can expect mono shocks in the soon to be launched 300 cc.
Brakes:
Largest dics in the market, so best brakes in the town. Maybe the 180 has better bite, but the braking is really good.You couldnt draw a straighter skid mark using a ruler..maybe you can, but you get the point.
Mileage:
See Above. 30-40 kmpl subject to driving.
Looks:
Looks very appealing, and turns heads of people driving in Mercs or BMWs also maybe not, but you get the point. Maybe they went a little over board with the front fairing and the huge gaping void between the panel and the tank. The digital meters definitely make an impression. Could have had a digital tacho as well as speedometer as well.
Pulsar 180 Classic
Handling:
Best handler when it comes to city traffic, better than the Zma at mortal speeds, but loses out at higher speeds.
Brakes:
Discs are smaller than the Zma but have better bite.
Mileage: 40-45 kmpl
Looks:
Looks very muscular and the huge tank was a total success, the ultimate looker in the executive segment.
The Last Word
First things first, the RD350 is the best performance...period. The spot for the second is left to the judgement of the owners and the bikers who ride the Zma and Pulsars..but I would rate the Zma higher than the 180 overall as when we talk about speeds...we talk above 80 kmph and the Zma rules over the pulsar. And another deciding factor for me is the uniqueness maybe there are too many Pulsars on the roads and the Karizma stands out in that regard....