When Bajaj brought out the classic pulsars in 2001-end, they overthrew anything on two wheels in the market, and carved a niche for themselves...our first ''home-bred'' street fighters...rowdies...etc...They shud've been called the Bajaj Rascal...that's a credit ;-)
And then, the DTSi happened, taking the Pulsar to new heights...in terms of technology, stability, higher power and mileage...this review is abt my Pulsar 180 DTSi...my other half...
After being with my Classic 150 for an year, like any average motor-head, I craved for more power...greed was an acceptable virtue then...I wanted to get into the league of 120+ kmph bikes...but, I didn't know how to impress my dad, and convince him to buy me a new bike! Thus, I suppressed my desire...
One fine day, I think it was 21 November 2004, I read the sunday classifieds, automobile section. A very interesting post caught my attention: Pulsar 180 march 2004 model. done 1700kms. brokers excuse. Ph:......sparks were flying out of my head...I immediately called the seller to verify the details, and fixed up an appointment. I went to see the seller. I saw the bike, it was dramatic, he took the wraps off it, and revealed a red, shining red Pulsar, with the fairing staring at me...The bike was owned by some NRI young chap, who has gone back to Holland. He had clocked only 1700 kms. I started the bike, and the engine beat felt smooth, in fact as good as new. I immediately fixed a rate, asked him to hold the bike for 4 days. I got back home, made couple of phone calls, sold my old bike, used up all my reserve money, and bought the bike! 26 November 2005...the day I got inducted to the league of power bikes...It's almost a year since I bought the bike...
NOTE: This review is abt MY bike, not Pulsar 180 DTSi V1 in general.
I guess the Pulsar styling has gone down well with the Indian public, and evryone knows what a Pulsr looks like. So I'll leave the looks dept aside.
The power, felt tremendous, in fact I had a tough time trying to tame it...took me almost two weeks to get used to the pickup...to put it in simple words..when I'm at 60 kmph, the entire world is at 35kmph, or even lesser...
After completing 2200kms, I ordered for my tuned-exhaust system, which is made to order. The design of the end can is custom made, and you can suggest ur own design. My mechanic, Mr. Awais, who runs CBX Racing, a service place for superbikes, mod shop etc. in Chennai, has made a similar exhaust for my previous bike. The modification radically transforms the character of the bike. It develops tremendous mid-range power n torque...which was a problem in the stock 180 dtsi.
After fitting the exhaust on my new bike, things were never the same. The bike felt like an eager athlete, ready for a 100m sprint. Actually, that sounds lame, it was more like a Cheetah, ready to sprint, to catch its prey...to put it in short...the bike behaved like it was possessed!!!!!!! Now, imagine the speed equation I mentioned in the previous para, when I'm at 60, It's scary to imagine what the rest of the world is doing!
Then, I went for my next upgrade. I removed the stock spark plugs, and installed platinum plugs, made by NGK. It tremendously increased the top end power! The engine kept churning out power even at 9500 rpm, and it didn't feel maxed out! In fact, I began wondering if the rev-limiter resigned or sumthin!!?@#!
Handling, was in a different plane altogether...the classic pulsar's chassis set-up was designed for razor sharp handling, helps a lot while carving in traffic. Though the dtsi chassis lacked that sharpness, it had a different purpose...
While manoeuvering turns/curves, lean...keep leaning...keep leaning more, till you hear the foot-pegs scrapping...even then, the bike will feel planted! It feels like it's running on a rail-track, I mean, a dedicated path, and will not move out of line! To enhance this feel, I bought the gas shock absorbers, which are now standard equipment in the DTSI V2. Frankly, I'm out of words to describe the outcome! All I can say is, confidence inspiring! Oh, and the pillion feels comfortable too...thanks to the new gas shock absorbers at the rear...
Fuel efficiency, was very good. In the stock condition, i.e. without the power mods, I was getting atleast 45, and got a maximum of 50 kmpl. That's very good mileage, considering the fact that it's a 180 cc bike. After the power mods were installed, the efficiency came down to 40 kmpl. In fact it first dropped to 35kmpl, but after installing the platinum plugs, it increased the efficiency to 40 kmpl.
Grip offered by the MRF rubber is adequate. I would suggest Pirelli tyres (110 width), or Dunlop geocruisers (100/90). I've fit alloy wheels on the bike, which have improved the aesthetics. The bike feels lighter also...
That was abt my bike...but while talking abt stock 180, I think the new 180 dtsi V2 is a fantastic bike. The engine feels more refined, mid-range performance had improved adequately thanks to the ''Exhaustec system''. And the black color coding on the wheels, engine, gearbox and other major cycle parts, makes the bike look more mean, and sexy!
The only flaw abt the new bike is that it feels smaller compared to the DTSi v1. The smaller 17'' wheels are to be blamed...but these smaller wheels have improved the turn-in ability, in fact, it's slightly reminiscent of the classic pulsar's handling...
For used bike buyers, there's no harm in buying the 180 DTSi V1, as long as you make sure it's well maintained , and pls take a test ride!
For new bike buyers, don't go for second thoughts. It's a wonderful bike, has all the goodies, and has an attractive price tag...
