Hi Guys!
I will put my experiences with both Pulsar 150 DTSi (new with alloys, ES etc etc) and Honda Unicorn (new one with graphics and ES) as I have driven both. It will put you at ease before going to buy any of the two bikes.
- COSMETICS
Pulsar is one helluva machine with flexing muscles, Digital Twin Sparks, broad rear tyre, dual horn, alloy rims, low rise and broad handlebar therefore termed as DEFINITELY MALE. YES IT IS...I term it as SALMAN KHAN
Now Unicorn doesn’t have what the DTSi boasts niether have flexing muscles nor any big wigs but has nice curvacoius finishing each part gelling into another as if all are in ultimate sync and visual delight...I term it as SHAHRUKH KHAN
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
I think this is very important as we do not buy bikes to sell on the next day. Here Unicorn scores over the DTSi. You can check out anywhere on your own.
- ENGINE
DTSi initially has thumbs up with king size silencer burst (powerplant of 143.9 cc) with equally solid HORN to complement.
Unicorn on the other hand is a ultimate smooth machine (149.1 cc). You will not even hear the beat from the silencer in the Delhi traffic.
But did I tel you which one is more sure footed and smooth at speeds on the other side of 60 kmph. HATS OFF TO UNI...No foot peg/handlebar vibrations etc. However; if you want to hear the beat of Uni’s silencer take off as I say: (DONT TRY ON YOUR NEW BIKE UNTIL IT HAS DONE 2000 - 2500 Kms)
1st gear - till 20 kph
2nd gear - till 40 kph
3rd gear - till 60 kph
4th gear - till 80 kph and the rest is history....
However both bikes have a equalling top whack of 111 kph (speedo reading).
- SUSPENSION
Monoshock as the name suggest is something new to indian riders. But again here I must say that we should have good roads for her to drive at (it is on the stiffer side initially; make it soft in the first service itself). On the other hand Pulsar have a pulsating gas-filled shocks at the rear which gives ultimate pleasure without getting wallowed out as it did earlier. HERE YOU ARE YOUR BEST JUDGE.
- MILEAGE
Do we buy these bikes for mileage. Sometimes YES sometimes NO. But Uni has a marginally better overall figures than DTSi.
45-52kmpl DTSi at speeds of 45 to 65kmph in city riding
50-57kmpl Uni at similar speeds
- BRAKING
It is on everybody’s mind that DTSi has a broader rear tyre therefore it is bound to have better brakes. Again I must say that we should understand that these bikes fitted with Discs in the front makes more than implied that front brakes must be applied first coupled with rear drums gradually. This will help stop comfortably. Both bikes have a EXCELLENT stopping power. It will make you feel stranded from 60kmph if you kill the brakes suddenly. Make sure you hit it right.
- ELECTRICALS
I found Uni’s electricals of high quality and more to safety. Its blinkers and rear stop lights are of 21watts compared to DTSi’s 10watt. Much more safer even in bright sunlight.
CONCLUSION:
Compare yourself both bikes with the fit and finish of body parts ( I must mention overall COMPONENTS here) and put more attention to ENGINE as this is what will ultimately be your wife and not just girlfriend for years to come. Other things come complementary :-)
One of my friend has DTSi (new one) which has done around 8500 kms and other has a Uni (older one) which has done nearly 14000 kms. DTSi still kills with its looks in the first instance but coming to actual performance on road it fails to live upto Uni’s plush overall figures.
NOW YOU ARE TO DECIDE WHICH ONE TO TAKE HOME SALMAN OR SHAHRUKH. Its all in the name.
Thanks for your time :-)