Aug 16, 2002 02:12 PM
4882 Views
(Updated Aug 16, 2002 02:20 PM)
APPEAL:- For someone who appreciates power but does not want to compromise on the everyday practicality of a bike , the pulsar is definitely the bike. I bought the pulsar 150 electric start back in march and upto now it has given me no trouble. I consider it to be the best bike around. When you consider that it has very good pick up and power( though a wee bit less than the CBZ- because of its engine capacity being less by about 12 cc.), it has relatively good average ( which is why I bought the 150 over the 180 ), and it also looks the best. As the line goes ''definitely Male''........
POWER PICKUP:- The bike has amazing pick up. I also have 1 hero honda slendor and that bike can't come close to it on the road. it leaves behind all the other bikes at the traffic signal and can even give the CBZ and Fiero a run for their money. If fuel average is not a point of consideration, then I would suggest that you go in for the pulsar 180. You will definitely be king on the road. Power delivery is excellent and the 2nd gear gets you from 5kph to 55kph. Though the power-to-weight ratio and the torque-to-weight ratio is the least of all the three 150cc bikes (CBZ, Pulsar, Fiero-) one can hardly feel the difference. And if you are a real speed freak the ''pulsar 180'' will positively kill any other bike.
FUEL AVERAGE:-The bike gives me between 47 kmpl and 55 kmpl on road (city or highway) depending on the style of riding.
RIDE AND HANDLING:- Though the pulsar may not beat the CBZ in outright acceleration, it is much better for riding at low speeds since you dont end up changing gears that often due to its clever gearing. Hence better for our city bumper to bumper traffic.
The suspension is set at just the right level and easily takes rough surfaces in its stride without jarring your bones.
The braking is also excellent.Use of the front disc and rear drum brakes in combination is the best way to bring the bike to a stable stop.
I have been to Bombay and back twice on this bike and it handles really well on the highway.
The electric start option is a real help especially in city traffic conditions.
PROBLEMS:- There is a slight problem with the gear shift. while downshifting, sometimes the bikes instead of going into 2nd from 3rd, goes into a false neutral. Then I have to further press the gear lever to put it into neutral.Other than this I have had absolutely trouble free running on my bike. But I have been told by the company service personnel that they had found this problem on earlier vehicles but it has been rectified in the new bikes.
SERVICE :- The above problem is more irritating than being a serious defect but nevertheless I must mention that the service department of all bajaj dealers (as well as the company showroom on Bombay-pune highway) are thoroughly overbooked and this probably leads them to neglect the servicing of some bikes. I had bought mine from ashwamegh auto and when I gave it for the second service of 2000 kms I had asked them to sort out this problem. But after I got the bike back , this problem persisted. Last week we bought a ''Boxer AT K-tec'' for my brother but this time I went to the company showroom because of my bad experience with ashwamegh's service department. Anyways this problem just needs getting used to and now I have realised the amount of pressure that has to be applied when downshifting so as to not cause this problem. Still I have spoken with some company Technical Dept chap at the planet bajaj showroom and he has asked me to give him the bike and he'll get it fixed.
VALUE FOR MONEY:- The pulsar offers the most for the least money. its on road price in pune is the least out of the 3 bikes.It has all of the features that are present on the fiero and CBZ and more. The fiero doesnt come with front disc brakes ; the CBZ has no electric start option.At just 5 thousand more than the Splendor for the kick start version it is a steal.
BOTTOMLINE:- If you are looking for a bike which will give you an exhilarating but sturdy ride and which will alsop not be too heavy on your pocket, you shoud go in for the pulsar.Bajaj has really done us proud with this bike. It will finally get its due after taking a back seat for years with rival hero honda.
