NEW PULSAR 150 CC ROX!!. Review on Bajaj Pulsar

Hi Pulsar Lovers,

Actually I am planning to go in for a new bike this new year and would like your valuable opinion. I just took a test ride of New Pulsar 150 CC, Honda Unicorn and TVS Apache and I have noticed the following observations. I dont like to be judgmental and hurt someone's sentiments. These are purely my own thoughts ,so please bear with me!

1. ENGINE : This is the heart of any bike . So let me begin with this . All the 3 bikes sport an electric start.

BEAT AND POWER

Apache - I was struggling to start the bike! I tried pressing the start button in different ways but nothing happened to my dismay. The TVS mechanic in the pillion also tried but same result. Finally he said Battery is down and asked me to Kick the bike. I got put off the very instant..I guess it is a characteristic of TVS! The electricals are horrible in all models.I found it hard to kick the bike maybe since I am used to my 2 Stroke Samurai but successfully started it. The beat was good..But there was a hint of vibration felt in the handle bar.The power was good I should say , I was able to accelerate very fast

Pulsar - It started very smoothly on One single press of the Start Button.The beat was excllent and the body was rock solid with no visible shake or vibration. The power is the best Part. I was quickly able to accelerate and was even able to ride at 25 Km/Hr in 5 th gear. This was unbelievable!

Unicorn - This also purred to life instantly and I couldnt hear any beat! I think that is the engineering marvel which honda owners are boasting about. There was no vibration even outside of the engine! So needless to go futher on this!. The ride was good but maybe bcos of the engine I was not getting the power bike feel.The acceleration is slightly weaker than Pulsar or Apache (my personal feeling guys!) but nevertheless it is not a cat.

2.GEAR BOX : This is one major aspect I look for before choosing a bike

Apache - It was horrible. I was very much surprised as in 2 Stroke Bikes a Samurai or a Shogun would have the easiest gear shift feel. Apache follows a 1 down 4 up pattern and I found it very difficult while down shifting (maybe also bcos I am not used to 5 gear bikes) and it was very hard also. I was not able to come back to neutral. The TVS guy got down and tried very hard and he succeeded after a point. I also dont know whether the demo bike was bad.

Pulsar - Bajaj seems to have adopted a 1 up 4 down gear shift deviating from all 5 down shift which was adopted in old pulsars. This seems to be a step in the right direction and morever since it is the international norm for good bikes.(right from YAM RX 100). But the shift was damn smooth ( makkan jaisa like the Castrol oil Ad if I am not mistaken!). There was absolutely no problem with this .

Unicorn - This adopts the opposite to pulsar 1 down and 4 up . This was also damn smooth and felt too good both in up and down shift

3.SUSPENSIONI am close to abt 6 Ft and backache is one of the predominant reasons which prompted me for a change . My friends tried convincing me that you will get backaches in all bikes..But I refuse to believe that

Apache - The bike is too low and a six footer would look awkward handling this bike. The seat is rock solid mind you and I found no real difference between my Samurai and this to be honest in terms of suspension. Maybe the gas filled shox may give a slightly better feel but I was not personally happy with the height and the comfort aspect.

Pulsar : This seemed to be the right bike in terms of height and the suspension is awesome. On applying the disc, the handlebars of this machine kiss the ground before taking original position. Its amost like poetry . It makes a gentlemanly bow.

Unicorn - I am a bit appehensive about Mono suspension for our Indian roads. It feels good but I doubt whether it can take up challenging Indian road conditions.

4. ELECTRICALS AND OVERALL LOOK-

Apache - It looks good, the lights ,indicator everything but my personal feel is Electricals is not TVS

forte . (Also Pls read my Engine section). The looks in general are very impressive and will make heads turn.

Pulsar - This is also too good and it now sports a digital meter replacing the conventional analog ones. I must really appreciate Bajaj think tank for continously trying to better this bike. This is a tiger in terms of look but maybe becos of the comonness of Pulsar bikes in Chennai it may not invite special attention like Apache or a CBZ! Its almost become like what splendor was some time ago! 2 bikes out of 5 is a pulsar!. My mother was complaining about the tapering rear seat but I plan to take out my GF instead!

Unicorn - The looks are very ordinary . This is the only drawback. As someone in his review has said it is definitely an "Uncle Bike" catering to above 35 age group. What is the point of a beautiful engine with such an ugly chasis?! I read in "India bike review" that the lights are not very good for driving in City.

5. COST : This is the most important factor !

APACHE : On road (Chennai) about 58K . May have to shell out 53K on Exchange

PULSAR : On Road (Chennai ) about 63 K (Did you hear that?!)Maybe Bajaj is exploiting bcos of pulsar's popularity.But defiitely there are considerable refinements over old pulsar. Also difference between 180 cc and 150 CC is only Rs 1000

UNICORN : On Road (Chennai) 59 K . Some new year offer of waiving insurance ...So effectively 58K

6. MILEAGE

I think mileage is overall the same 50 Km per litre mark for all these 3.bikes Pls correct me if iam wrong!

7. AUTO CAR AND INDIA BIKE Reviews

Pulsar Vs Unicorn-The testers seem to rate both Pulsar and Unicorn evenly but when giving the final verdict place Unicorn above Pulsar for its engine . But this is a comparison of the old pulsar and Unicorn. I

n Apache Vs Pulsar, Pulsar is rated above for its handling and comfort and the testers have mentioned that Apaches engine vibrates in very high speeds and there is Knocking at very low speeds.

8. MAINTENANCE -

Apache - In chennai , TVS has a very good presence and all the road side mechanics are comfortable with TVS architecture. Also Parts are very cheap

Pulsar : Same as above . Replace TVS with Bajaj

HOnda - This is very costly. Per se, it is a very good bike, but once some part has to be changed thats it . You have to shell out minimum 1 K or 2 K everytime. Also there are not too many good service centres for Honda in Chennai.

9.RESALE VALUE: Though it is premature to talk abt this at this point, this is also an imp factor.My mechanic tells me to blindly go in for Pulsar or Splendor for this reason alone! There are a lot of takers guys..The other 2 are lagging behind in this issue as they are not so fast moving like pulsar.

I am considering all the above and have zeroed in on Pulsar. Earlier I was tilted to Apache bcos I wanted to stand out of the crowd but after the test rides, my opinion has changed. I also feel the premium of 5K in pulsar over others is a bit hard but it will give me peace of mind for the next 5-6 years.

Please pour in your comments. Criticism also welcome!