Jun 20, 2007 02:05 PM
5979 Views
(Updated Mar 10, 2008 02:09 PM)
I bought my first bike on May 16th 2007 and its a Pulsar 200DTSi. Already completed 1800KM within 30 days.
UPDATE V1.0: Now it clocks little over 2400KM.
UPDATE V2.0: Its over 8500KM as of 26th Jan 2008.
First impression was really nice. It looks really appealing. It's stance, digital speedo, split seat, wide tires and all new exhaust with nice firing are something new in this category. In styling segment its really one of the top notch on Indian road.
As its a performance bike, fuel efficiency is less as usual if compared with common bikes on Indian road. But It amazed me by giving an average of 38 - 40 Kmpl in city condition. I use it in Pune traffic, one of the worst city traffic in the country. I have to use it for around 40Km everyday. I got around 43 - 45 kmpl on highway.
UPDATE V1.0: In city condition with normal traffic it gives~43kmpl.
UPDATE V2.0: Now I am in Bangalore. And I travel from Domloor to Electronic City through Hosoor Road. It gives~38kmpl [:(]
When it comes to performance, it really takes you with it's raw power. Of course don't compare it with a 600CC mean bike. But it can do wonder with what it got. It accelerates smoothly with proper gear shifts. Novice like me can do 0 - 60 kmph in less than 8 sec. Gear shift is smooth, with a soft touch of your toe it shifts smoothly and you can feel that click. Bajaj introduced one-down-four-up gear shifting style and it really helps not to find yourself in neutral when you don't need it.
UPDATE V1.0: After completing 2000 KM and 2nd servicing, I tested its acceleration. It accelerates really smooth till 80kmph. after that its acceleration is normal like other bikes. 0-60kmph it takes less than 8 sec. 0-80kmph it takes around 12 sec. 0-100kmph(max speed I touched on my bike in Pune) takes around 20 sec.
UPDATE V2.0: Its as good as before. I can easily touch 100+ in Inner/Outer ring road. Max I touched is 126kmph for 1 minute. I had to reduce speed b'coz of bends.
Another thing that is really good is its breaking. It breaks effectively with out making the bike unstable, how hard the breaking may be. I found it very good.
UPDATE V1.0: Its really good, saved me lots of time with its efficient breaking backed up by its stability. and no front fork break-ups;) The thing that I liked about it is - when I use the breaks hard, it doesnot act disbalanced. it stays straight and stops quickly. But I think the front and rear breaking proportion should be precise to get good breaking.
UPDATE V2.0: Read UPDATE V1.0:)
Its turning radius is larger than that of other bikes. But I think Bajaj made it like this because of the bike's heavy weight, longer wheel base and longer handle bar. Other than big turning radius, it is comfortable to handle. It stays steady at high speed. I tried it on old Mumbai-Pune highway. It was an amazing ride. Wider tire at back makes it less fuel efficient but it gives extra stability.
UPDATE V1.0: Handling the bike has a nice feeling. At higher speed also vibration is very less in this bike. But I found that turning the bike at higher speed(not advisable at all) is not as comfortable as it should be.
UPDATE V2.0: Read UPDATE V1.0:)
I heard about its faulty front fork. But in this short period but with lots of different riding condition, I could not find any problem till date. I used it in city as well as on Highways and on hills. Many times I have to use its break hard, many times I fly over huge pot holes(Pune have largest number of pot holes on road;) - no hard feeling Punekars) but it never betrayed me. Lucky Me.
UPDATE V1.0: Still I am lucky. No failure in this front. I think this problem is sorted out by Bajaj Auto.
UPDATE V2.0: Read **UPDATE V1.0:) .
UPDATE V2.0:One thing Bajaj Probiking center changed free of charge, is my Electric Starter Kit. They said the previous version had bugs(I wonder what he ment software bug or real bug! ).
One thing that disappoints me is its finishing. You can see the joints not polished properly which is not at all desirable from a bike like this.
Overall its a nice bike to feel the FREE BIKING:)
