Dec 28, 2009 12:29 PM
14432 Views
(Updated Jan 15, 2010 01:21 PM)
Absolute height of efficiency.
Dear friends, I had the good fortune to drive the new Pulsar 135cc just one day before Christmas, yes on the 24th of December 09 after having waited for many weeks for the opportunity to present itself. Here are some of my findings; which I hope will make your picture of the bike more clear.
Having driven a number of bikes in my lifetime, there was still that longing to try a 4 valve motorcycle. That dream was realized when I drove the 135 Pulsar. On initial inspection, it was covered in dust(being parked in an open parking lot), so I took a duster cloth from the attendant and volunteered to do some cleaning up before my test ride. It wasn’t just my clothes I was worried about. By running your hands up and around the body of the vehicle you get to experience first hand the contours, geography, history, maths and chemistry all at one go! It was a smooth and lithe machine with some nice contours.
The rear mudguard is firmly held by a pipe guard like on our regular roadster bicycles but I have to hand it to the designers who have done a good job in giving adequate splash protection as well as giving the rear end an attractive look which can be so engrossing that the people at the back will want to remain at the back simply to admire the tail lamp.
The seat is a two piece job which is adequate and enough to get the job done. The tank has some good geometry which gives this bike a special identity. The traditional hump in the tank of the Pulsar series is carried over here as well. The headlamp is an all new design which looks flatter and sleeker and hopefully will be just as effective in illuminating the objects in front of it. The ignition switch is in between a pair of clip ons and flipping the switch, gave me two tiny coloured back lit impressions on the dash. One showed a red pump, indicating low fuel and other was a tiny green coloured “N” sign which meant Neutral gear is engaged. The neutral light felt a bit too tiny and I wish this one could have been a little more prominent.
I tried both the kick starter as well as the self starter and happily on both occasions the bike fired almost immediately. The sound is a little different from the rest and I noticed some gentle cliks and knocks when it was at idle. I then realized that the engine was idling at an all time low of just 1000 rpm. This must be a record of sorts. The odometer was showing just 2 km and the twin plugs coupled with 4 valves along with a very effective engine management system was obviously doing a very good job. When the warm up was complete, the clicking and knocking simply became less noticeable and vanished as the engine was revved.
The shop attendant accompanied me for ride round the block and away we went. It is a slim vehicle but not a short one. With my 5’ 9”height my feet rested flat on the ground. However it was the pulling action with two people on board, up the inclines which surprised. It was enjoyable and effortless. A genuine hill climber. I feel this bike is a blessing for those people living in the hilly areas like Kodaikanal, or for that matter our own Malabar Hill. The low down torque is stupendous, easily enabling me to engage 2nd gear at very low speeds up a steep incline with 2 people.
Braking was adequate and though I did not have a chance to try the higher speeds, I am sure that with the free revving engine and strong lugging ability, the manufacturers claim of not needing to shift gears frequently is probably very true. What this ultimately translates to is a very fuel efficient as well as an enjoyable engine to drive.
However given its petite dimensions overall, the traditions Pulsar owner may be a bit disappointed if he is used to the earlier more generous dimensions. However if he gives himself sufficient time, he will conclude that here; the less is actually equal to more.
One radical departure is the need to fold the right footrest, if you wish to engage the kick starter. The footrest themselves seems to be a combination of metal with a thin strip of rubber on the top. Although they folded easily, I could not help feeling that they were very flimsy. I wonder if they will last an entire season. In fact the entire bike is super efficient and minimalist in a very Spartan sort of way. I guess this is a reflection of the times that we live in but when you are used to bigger & more generous dimensions the new Pulsar does not strike a lasting visual impression. It somehow seems to lack character. However I am sure living with it long enough will definitely make one aware of its personality. Overall impression: Super efficient BUT not built to last a lifetime. In fact I fear that if one had a bad spill on the road; it might just about total the bike. I may be wrong but the impression it gave me was such.
Delicate darling but very very effective.
