Dhoom Machale!. Review on Bajaj Pulsar 180

Bajaj guys are on top of their game right now. 5 sales toppers in each segment. With CT 100 taking honours for the 100cc segment, Discover taking top spot in the 125cc segment, Pulsar 150 the king in the 150cc class, Avenger with its newfound 180cc heart and price regaining control of the segment it first started. And then Bajaj has its flagship powerbike the new Pulsar 180 DTSi.

This is the 3rd generation Pulsar and it has improved upon the previous versions. The 2nd generation Pulsar gave tough competition to the larger engined Karizma with the same acceleration and a slightly higher top speed. But, Bajaj realized that it is the real world where it counts. In a city one can not go above 105-110 kmph on a routine basis. So Bajaj improved the initial acceleration and the roll on figures of the bike among other minor things.

LOOKS- The new Pulsar 180 DTS-i is another absolute stunner from Bajaj. 17-inch, six-spoke alloy rims at both ends helps the bike look miles ahead of its predecessor. Wheelbase is now a slightly longer 1330mm and so is suspension travel up at both ends. These fundamental changes alter the bike’s stance, making it slightly longer and a little shorter. I just love the new Pulsar’s new colour shades. The 180 sports little bit lighter shades than the 150. The new Pulsar's front bikini fairing has been lowered by about12mm to go with the smaller wheels. Retained is the switchgear and the sporty meters.The new Pulsar continues to offer twin horns, an aircraft-type fuel-filler and a trip-gauge. Fuel tank capacity now stands reduced to 15 litres while the size looks to be the same as the 18 litre one. While the seat, rear and side panels are identical, the other detail change is the new grab-handle at the rear(only for the 180). The Pulsar can now claim to be the most beautiful bike in the country barring possible the Karizma.

POWER- Well this is the thing prospective P180 buyers look forward to. DTSi technology has proved its merits on the original Pulsar DTS-i 180 — hugely enhancing power and torque, while also improving mileage. Power output is up to 16.5bhp at 8000rpm and a 140kg kerb weight makes the Pulsar a power to weight rocket. Torque has also been made more user-friendly thanks to the new Pulsar now using the same innovative EXHAUSTEC system as first seen on the Discover. While on paper the Pulsar looks good, riding the bike is an experience best felt in person. It absolutely rockets off the line faster than both the Karizma and Pulsar 180 Dtsi v1. But shorter gearing of the bike makes the bike touch reality after about 80-90 kmph after which the previous P180 and Karizma wave her goodbye. I took the bike till 122 kmph (Speedo read)at 9200 rpm and I didn’t think that there was more to come. The roll on figures are brilliant, even better than the much torquer Karizma. The new 180 feels much eager even at revs less than 3500 rpm. And after 6500 rpm the bike takes off like there is some kind of turbo in the bike. The rpm immediately shoots upwards of 8500 rpm in an instant.

HANDLING- The handling has drastically improved upon the previous versions Pulsars largely due to the 17inch wheels and the new gas shock absorbers titled nitrox making some people think that there is nitrous oxide in the bike. A lower centre of gravity gives it more stability and makes it easier for the rider to control the bike. Turn-in has become faster thanks to the 17-inch rims. Though the Pulsar was always stable, cornered brilliantly and steered well, an improved ride has now elevated all these factors, allowing the rider to enjoy higher speeds on poor roads with safer control of the bike.

MILEAGE- One common thing that I have seen is that the persons owning such powerbikes say that mileage is of no importance to them. But that is not true. Everyone wants a decent mileage from his bike. So with the 180 you can have your cake and eat it too. The 180 delivers 43 kmpl while ripping in the city zigzagging all the other cars and bikes at high speeds. And when driven sedately mileage comes up to 58 kmpl. Oh. This is too good.

COMFORT- This is where the Pulsar takes a beating. With the short handlebar, narrow seat, big fuel tank with knee recesses only for short riders, and no sweptback footpegs mean that riding the bike for long distances could prove very tiresome. But it is alright for short blasts in the city.

PROBLEMS- Thus far the Pulsar was all goody goody but this is where all the problems of the Pulsar start. First of all, there is no visible difference between the P150 and the P180. Both of them sport the same body, low handlebars and wide 100/90 tyres. Also Pulsars are way too common to give anyone a complex. Secondly, there is the universal Pulsar problem of bad gearshift and clutch. It is really a shame that even in the third generation Pulsars this relatively simple problem cannot be taken care of. Also there are cases of gear and clutch slippage. Then, the top speed has been reduced drastically to only 116kmph(true speed) which might not seem much for a powerbike. Also, the servicing of Bajaj remains a bit suspect even to this day.

COMPETITION- The Pulsar has virtually no competition at this price. The Karizma is the only bike which can compete with the 180. but she is 12000 rs expensive than the Pulsar which is frankly too much. The Pulsar has a better initial acceleration than the Karizma, but after 80-90kmph the Pulsar is beaten and so is it in the top speed stakes. But due to the instant turn in and handling, initial acceleration, grunt, masculine sound coupled with a little bit of vibrations make this bike more fun to drive in the city than the bulky and relatively underpowered Karizma. But a major upside for the Pulsar is the mileage. It comfortably gives over 10kmpl more than the Karizma in any circumstance.

VERDICT- So there it is. The miniature Powerbike of India. Go in for this bike if you want more power than the 150cc segment and cannot afford the Karizma. Dhoom machale!