Mar 13, 2006 12:22 AM
5258 Views
(Updated Mar 13, 2006 12:23 AM)
Well, hello fellow MSians, now that I have lured you into reading this review I wanna put all the zma v/s p180 wars to rest. So here goes...* takes deep breath
I recently acquired the zma, and she is currently giving company to my 180 dts-i, non-alloyed version (henceforth referred to as v1). both of these bikes are absolutely wonderful, and since these two are the current performance kings in india (except the CKD comet and the legendary RD- A.C & L.C), I thought a small summary is in order;
LOOKS:
Well, you don't need any elaborate revelations here...all are familiar with the nooks and crannies of the 180 and the zma...but overall, the zma emerges the winner, the 180 coming in a very close second.
RIDE & HANDLING:
Well, the pulsar's suspension is stiffer than the zma's, and seems to have lesser travel. now this is great if you are riding solo, but two- up travelling poses a slight problem over broken roads, as the suspension tends to bottom out. in stark contrast, the zma isn't that different in terms of ride quality when driven solo, but it simply rides like a dream when driven with a passenger. but of course, both the (rear) suspension setups are adjustable, and so the ride quality can be varied, but overall, the zma triumphs. and as an added bonus, the seat of the zma is a far more comfortable place to be in than the 180.
Both bikes handle very differently. the 180 handles like an enthusiast's dream, whereas the zma feels more planted, sturdy, and confident - like a big bike. the 180 is far more easier to flick around, and crazy lean angles can be achieved pretty quickly... the zma handles like a big bike, and is not that receptive to quick direction changes...but, nevertheless, the zma accquits itself well. the handling honours, go to the 180 dts-i; a hands down winner. a worthy mention here, is the old 180- it was an absolute scorcher, and both these bikes are nowhere close to the handling capabilities of the old 180... but, as a compensation, the zma and the 180 offer fantastic composure and stability at high speeds, with the zma leading the pack.
ERGONOMICS:
The switchgear and the seat comfort of the zma is much better, and it feels worthy of every penny spent on it... the 180 feels like a budget sportster, but is pretty good nevertheless. the main difference that you notice is the build quality and finish. the zma feels more solidly built, and looks and feels like it will last quite some time. the pulsar, on the other hand, develops rattles and squeaks quite early in it's life. another thing worth mentioning is the starter. whereas the zma purrs into life at the slightest touch on the self button, the 180 needs to be cranked for at least a second or so before the engine fires... this itself, tells a lot about the bikes....as they say, the first impression is the last impression...
ENGINE AND PERFORMANCE:
Again, bucketloads of specs don't need to be poured in here, as all are aware about the power, torque and other specs...but let me tell you, the way in which both the bikes deliver the power is very different...the 180 seems eager to pump out all of it's 16 horses, and begs to be revved to it's 10,000 r.p.m redline. the fact that it loses steam at about 9000-9300 r.p.m is a different matter... the 180 feels like an rx, and shoves you back everytime you crack the throttle. this paticular character of the 180 makes it a stunter's favourite toy....the zma, on the other hand, offers the same acceleration, but in a far more composed manner.
as for performance figures, I feel that the zma can outdo the 180- i'm stating this because; i've ripped on both the 180 dts-i and the zma; whilst a new 180(v2) struggles to reach 110, a new zma crosses the 120-122 kmph mark easily. I have managed to max them both at 140, speedo read. but the zma pulls more strongly past 110-115. so, a proper tuner can unleash those untapped horses, without stressing the engine. therefore, the zma, is overall a faster bike; but, the pulsar will be able to cream it under traffic conditions; this is due to the simple fact that the pulsar can change directions quicker than the zma...
RESULT:
The 180 dts-i (v1) is a fantastic machine. but then, so is the zma. so, when it comes down to the heart of the matter, both are winners in their own respects. if I had to choose an overall winner, it would have to be the zma, without doubt- especially after the price-cuts, it's good value for money. but the 180 isn't an inferior product- not by any means...it's just that the strengths of the 180 differ from that of the zma's... the 180 is a more of an enthusiast's bike, and is great for short-term ownership...but at the end of the day, you might want a bike that you can keep riding for the next 3-4 years, at least...
