Sep 22, 2006 03:43 PM
6612 Views
(Updated Jan 01, 2007 09:53 AM)
My first biking tryst was on a 2005 Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi (belonged to a friend) and man, was I taken back by the sheer power and the aggressive looks of that machine. The engine note was awesome. The alloys were beautiful. The headlights along with the twin pilot lights were really hot. Never before had India seen something so smoulderin' hot or sexy (other than the HH Karizma which was very expensive). That is, until the TVS Apache came out. The moment I laid my eyes on this mean machine, I knew that this was the one for me. The looks (especially those black mag wheels), that powerful engine, the sweet engine note and best of all, the cost (she is cheaper than the Bajaj P150 by around Rs.3000)..... I knew she belonged to me. So, there was nothing stopping from going out and getting one for keeps.
The Good:
Really powerful 147.5cc, 13.7PS (13.5bhp)@8500 rpm engine.
Torquey engine (12.3Nm @ 6000rpm)
Nice acceleration (I leave many Pulsar 150s eatin' da dust...... Yaaaa baby)
Top speed is good (112kmph has been reported by da mags but I haven't checked 'em out yet). Its really very easy to cross 80kmph if you are not speedo gazin').
Da headlights along with the position lamps (though that looks as though its copied from da Pulsars).
Hot looking from the front, especially the well chiseled, muscular fuel tank and the perfect, masculine engine note to accompany it.
Big front 90/90 17" and rear 100/80 18" tyres.
Good fuel efficiency (make sure that you say in the 'Cruise' mode, otherwise.......).
Beautiful lookin red shox for da Fiery Rojo bike.
The price (approx. Rs 59000 otr kerala).
And best of all, its loaded with all the goodies like electric start, black mag alloys, gas filled shox, fuel gauge, tacho, tell-tale lights, rear view mirrors, etc.
The Bad:
Hard seats (get 'em replaced for a more comfy ride).
Seating position of rider (sits more forward than in the Pulsars thereby losin on the sporty look).
Hard shox.
Slight fuel leaks if kept on da side stand (I dont know if this problem exists with other bikes).
Da gearbox was notchy at first with a few false neutrals but now has become an ultrasmooth one with butter-smooth shifts after it went for its first mandatory service.
The front discs and the rear drums could do with a bit more feel (for that sudden braking you do when you are roarin on the roads).
The Verdict:
Go for it to be a man.
