Pulsar 220 - Great looks and feel. Review on Bajaj Pulsar 220

Recently I have purchased a Red Pulsar 220 DTSi Fi. I have done nearly 250 KMs so far.

Since it is too early to judge this bike and my observations are based on my few days with this monster bike!

Positioning

This bike is nicely positioned against Karizma though Karizma has set a standard for itself in terms of performance, reliability and comfort, Pulsar tries to narrow the gap in terms of style, power and features.

I can’t think of another bike which can compete with this one apart from Bullet and ofcourse DTSi-200, which I think will be a unfair one just for technical reasons alone.

Price

Let me start with the price comparison since price is something which Bajaj is not able to cope up with especially its Pulsar products. Comparing with Karizma, I don’t see why this bike should cost almost INR 15K more? Though features are the value for money needs to be demonstrated unless the assumption is already made that only cash rich brats only going for it!

Performance

As I am running in my bike, I can’t really talk about its performance under different revs. But I can easily feel the swiftness of the power delivery and it is really useful in certain city condition traffic(except the size of the bike with its uncomfortable fairings!). Engine performance obviously needs to be tested. So far I don’t feel any alarming issues.

*Mileage

No comments so far but I would be surprised if it gets beyond 35 KMPL which is my expected line.

Brakes/Safety

With front and rear disk brakes it makes your life easier but I am seeing my disks getting too hot. I am reading some-places that I need to do first service and initially this is common. Hope it remains that way!  Brakes are responsive but still not 100% comfortable in terms of whether it can really stop this cruising elephant?

With Tubeless tires with extra wide rear one makes it more stable during the ride.

Its 55 Watt Lamp could have been a stunner if the high-been had been correctly focused instead of pointing towards sky. Riders in the bike need not worry too much about objects beyond 50-70 Meter distances while this front lamp is unnecessarily focusing beyond 50 Meters.

Handling & Cornering

This is one of the best bikes in terms of handling and Cornering. Though the bike seem to weigh bit more than for an average Indian, the handling is made easy while riding or otherwise. Cornering seems to be absolutely safe with vehicle weight seem to go under your leg NOT inside your belly. Comparing this against its predecessor which I owned, 180 version, I feel this is more secured during cornering.

Great shifting

I felt that gear shifting in 180 could have been made better. I feel 220 has been improved but the consistency is not there when you shift gear. Initially it was giving in smoothly but as you ride more and when engine heats up, the gear shifting gets rough. Hope with first service oil change it gets more consistent and predictable so that I can get myself tuned.

Features

Plenty of digital stuffs yet not reliable in terms of its readings especially its Fuel gauge. Side Indicator automatically switches off which is really a useful feature works fine for me.  Rear-view mirrors are positioned appropriately so that there is no extra projection but the downside is, half-of the mirror has your sleeves.  Auto start ONLY needs to be tested during rainy cold days but fortunately my terrain never gets that cold!

Style

This bike awes anyone on the road, especially kids, younger ones but ALL MALES! It is a real MANLY Bike for sure. When you ride in this bike you are self-assured and your self-esteem gets engrossed

Over all

So far I stay neutral with my opinion and this is due to the reason it has been relatively a new one. If you ask whether it has value for money, I really will doubt in terms of value but definitely there is a fun part.