My first report on the ownership experience of my new Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi so far
So far, all that "The Bike Chronicles of India" had been carrying were either limited to news related to "desi" bikes or my opinion on the same.
This time it's different. I am a Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi owner now. So this time it will be the story of me and my Pulsar 220.
Since I am the proud owner of my baby now, I can probably tell you about it with a bit more conviction..
To begin with, I wasn't exactly planning to buy the 220. I was in fact saving up for the Pulsar 200 DTS-I . The Pulsar 220 didn’t appeal to me in the photos and the premium of around 17K rupees extra over the Pulsar 200 didn’t seem reasonable to me.
But as fate would have it, I happened to take the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi for a test ride and was impressed by the way it made me feel. In simple words I fell in love. After that I had to wait around for 3 months before I could lay my hands on my RED Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi.
But since I am the proud owner of my baby now, I can probably tell you about it with a bit more conviction.
Since yesterday, I have been suffering from a mild fever. So I’ll keep it short and sweet.
Niggles/Issues faced so far..
- Rear Disc Brakes:
- Rear View Mirror:
- Rear Split Grab Rail:
- Engine Getting Hot:
- Temperamental Fuel Gauge:
It just makes you reduce speed and not as effective as the front disc brake. More bite needed from it.
It doesn’t provide a good view of the guys/gals gawking at my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi from behind.
Though it looks chick, its very difficult to get a proper grip. I liked the split grab rail of the TVS Apache RTR 160 the best so far..
The 220 cc engine does get hot after sometime. Although the heat isn’t an issue when the bike is on the move, things do get heated up especially near the right foot in stop and go traffic.
It’s actually amusing to watch the low fuel indicator go off and on in a whimsical manner. It’s practically useless to predict the amount of fuel left in the tank by the digital display.
Thing that I love..
- Torque.. Torque.. and more torque.. which means that this thing pulls effortlessly at every gear. Speeds as low as 30 Km/hr is easy to maintain in the top gear.
- Handling:
- Ride Quality:
- The immense attention it gets..
- The Headlights
- Last but not the least: Loving Everything Else about it so far (touch wood)..!!
In one word - Exceptional
The Best among Indian bikes that I have ever ridden on.
With a handful of Pulsar 220’s on the roads, it the best way to make heads turn at every traffic signal.
They are the best I have seen on any Indian Motorcycle till date. The best part is that the headlights are DC powered, which means that it's intensity doesn't depend on engine speed.
I don’t know. Haven’t found the time to check it out.
To whom I suggest the Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..??
Only to Serious bikers who don’t mind spending around 85-90 K and still can live up with niggles stated above. (I was aware of the niggles before I bought the bike. almost every Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi owner that I have come across has had these problems)
Related Posts:
- I get my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..!!
- Booked the Beast (Finally)..!!
- My next bike.. the Bajaj Pulsar DTS-Fi "The Beast" 220 ..!!
- Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi Launched..!!
- Bajaj Pulsar 220 Vs. Hero Honda Karizma (Drag Race..!!)
- Rumours about the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSFi
- Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSFi Review by Owner "Shashank Zope"
- Exclusive "Owners" Review of the Pulsar 220 DTSFi
Disclaimer:
This is to remind that the Views or Opinions in the blog are entirely mine unless explicitly stated. The Views and Opinions published in this blog should in no way be related to any other person or organization associated -- directly or indirectly -- with me.
17 Comments:
engines of all new bikes heat up more than usual for the first 1000 kms so thats all right.
hi Payeng,
Good to read the FIR of ur P220.
All UG3's have engine heating up issues. Even my 150 ug3 heats up faster..when compared to ug2 or classic pulsars.
Does the oil cooling really help??
Btw, u haven't mentioned anything about the FI and does it add any plus to engine refinement??
I've also taken a test ride in 220..torque and handling are exceptional as u mentioned.
Enjoy ur ride!!
regards,
Saji,
Bangalore.
"Ride Quality:
The Best among Indian bikes that I have ever ridden on."
Nice bike, Looks good... Thats it!!
I've ridden Pulsar 200 and 220, "Ride Quality" and "Build Quality" are missing in Bajaj's dictionary.
Built Quality of Both P200 and P220 is pathetic, Ride Quality is tractor like, Engine sounds smooth, but vibrates like a vibrator.
Sorry Dude, When you pay 87,000.... This is not we expect. You are still in your honeymoon period. Enjoy it, cause it wont last long! :)
@Anonymous(that explains a lot),
I won't waste my effort on you..
@Saji,
The Pulsar 220 remains reasonably smooth but I have been keeping it below the 4000 RPM mark (running in period).. so can't comment on the smoothness above the 4K mark.
But I have noticed that when you are trying to accelerate from slow speeds, the engine does feel a bit lumpy at around 2000-3000 RPM Range.. but once the bike gains decent momentum, the engine smoothens out.. I have found this to be a common characteristic on almost all bajaj engines..
I think the real benefit the "Fi" system has been the quick engine response.
Its possible to maintain even 30 Km/hr at top gear and a twist of the accelerator ensures that even with 30 Km/hr in top gear the Pick up is very very good.
In short it has been a pleasure riding my Pulsar 220.
Congrats once again. Get well soon!
And yes, time to get a full face helmet. You need the chin protection as much as you can!
@Ce$ar,
the engine heat isn't much of an issue as long the bike performs well..
@glifford,
yes bro, I have already got a full face helmet now.. and it's a special one.
will publish its pics soon..
the fuel gauge issue is present in the p200 also. But after some 2-3 tank full operations, the indicator will stabilise and now, my bike's fuel indicator gives a proper indication of the amount of fuel in the tank.
and anonymous ( whoever the f***) u are, please keep ur opinions to yourself.
this guy's just got a brand new bike...let him savour his moment..
u are just a little prick and you know that.
payeng, u are right in not bothering to answer lousy "anonymous" ...
Hey congrats buddy...
I guess the Brakes and fuel indicator are serious issues and bajaj needs to resolve them.
grab handle and mirrors r ok.
Btw u hv ne idea if p220 with full black treatment expected any time soon ?
http://kedarparikh.blogspot.com
Thanks nilu,
don't worry too much for these pricks.. BTW waiting for your write up on your LADDAKH Trip.
@Kedar
I can live up with the faulty gear indicator..
Even though the rear brakes are ineffective, the excellent front brake can take care of the braking quite well.
I can live with these niggles but would be delighted if Bajaj could rectify them (which I am sure they would in the future)
But the most important thing is that inspite of these niggles I am still loving the bike. Now isn't TRUE LOVE supposed to be something like this..??
Hey payeng...
Congrats on the new acquisition. May you enjoy her to the fullest. :-P
BTW, as mentioned earlier, please do get a full face. If ventilation in slow moving traffic is a concern, get a flip-up chin type. Personally, i wouldn't ride anything that can touch 40+ without a full face lid.
Hey Payeng..........hope u remember me....I just had my Pulsar 200 go through it's first service. I was really delighted to see the amount of care the Bajaj guys are giving towards servicing the bike. They installed new servicing units all to service 200s and 220s and the process is fully mechanical with very little mannual effort and yes, deployed two guys to service a single bike.
Hey I also tried the new fuel available here Speed 97. The engine respnose and smoothness all became phenomenal and also, the engine heats up a lot less than it was before. At 55 kmph and at 4th gear, I felt that the bike was almost flying.
Well take care buddy!!!!!
Yes Sajal, I remember you brother.. you had once mailed me asking my opinion on the Pulsar 200.
Its great to know that you have got your bike and that you are loving it..
Take good care of your bike and I am sure you will enjoy its ownership..
Hey Payeng Bro,
i hope ur enjoying the Machine as much as im doing.
u have got it all correct in ur review.
But i would say in my case the Digital Meter is bit more precise when it come to fuel indication.
Any ways don't keeping looking for the bars in the Fuel indicator.
The Red Fuel Indicator that indicates 4L fuel in the Tank is more accurate.
And yaa i'm facing a very acute attitude problem with ZMA owners no matter how hard i beat them they refuse to accept that P220 is a winner.
Only guys who can appreciate good bike irrespective of brand will be able to tell.
i have nothing against ZMA but i simply tell them when i bought P220 i could have bought ZMA but i felt P220 better than ZMA in terms of ride quality, comfort levels and feel of Bigger bike.
Enjoy ur ride.
if u want to go extreme.
then take her out for off roading and feel the difference.
Its takes on Bad roads with greatest of ease.
And no need to keep pressing clutch all the time. As bike pulls out even from 24kph at 5th Gear.
Infact the Bike pulls from Idle at 5th Gear with Slight Clutching.
Best part is leave the accelerator while riding in city traffic and bike keeps moving at 2K RPM.
i found it pretty good in traffic.
i don't need to press clutch and ride in City.
leave the clutch and accelerator and keep controlling the speed with brakes and gear shifts.
P220 will surely change the way u ride for good.
Forgot to Add one thing.
Rear brakes dont have a harsh Feel.
if it has feel like front brakes then it will result in rear wheel lock.
And consequences might be dangerous if the wheel connected to drive chain gets locked.
i feel the rear brakes have enough braking power.
And should be effective when used along with front brakes
Hey Payeng..........hope u remember me....I just had my Pulsar 200 go through it's first service. I was really delighted to see the amount of care the Bajaj guys are giving towards servicing the bike. They installed new servicing units all to service 200s and 220s and the process is fully mechanical with very little mannual effort and yes, deployed two guys to service a single bike.
Hey I also tried the new fuel available here Speed 97. The engine respnose and smoothness all became phenomenal and also, the engine heats up a lot less than it was before. At 55 kmph and at 4th gear, I felt that the bike was almost flying.
Well take care buddy!!!!!
@Ce$ar,
the engine heat isn't much of an issue as long the bike performs well..
@glifford,
yes bro, I have already got a full face helmet now.. and it's a special one.
will publish its pics soon..
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