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Nov 4, 2007

20 Ownership Review of my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi [First 1000 Kms]

Completed 1000 Kms on my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi.. Here's the story so far..

Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi

That's me on my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi



First Free Service at 715 Kms:

86 Kms divided by 1.71 lts gives… 50.29 Kms/Lt..!!

Wherever my Pulsar 220 goes, heads invariably turn towards me.. err.. my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi..!!

It’s been nearly 4 weeks since I got my much-awaited Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi. Somewhere in between, I managed to get the first free servicing done at 715 Kms. Till the first service the bike ran like a smooth dream. In fact when the guys at the Probiking Service Center asked if there were any issues with my bike. All I told them was to remove the Saree Guard..!!

According to a few Pulsar 220 owners who frequent the Xbhp.Com forum, issues mainly related to vibrations (mainly from the front fairing) start to surface after the first service. Having followed the comments from the owners at Xbhp.Com, I was quite concerned whether my bike will also start showing issues after the first free service.

I got the bike washed and serviced in front of my eyes in two hours. Today I went for a 86 Km solo ride, just to clock 1000 Kms and to check the mileage of my Pulsar 220. And I am very glad to state that the bike is still continuing its dream run.

  • Issues before First Free Service: None

  • Issues After First Free Service: None


The Pulsar 220 engine does feel a bit coarse and lumpy around the 2000-3500 RPM mark..

The Pulsar 220 has the best roll-on figures for 30-70 Km/hr at top (5'th) gear compared to any other bike in the country..

I must though admit that the Pulsar 220 engine does feel a bit coarse and lumpy around the 2000-3500 RPM mark. It is especially evident if the bike is in low momentum. But once on the move, the engine Feels smooth (by the way, so far I haven't gone beyond the 4500 RPM mark).

An endearing quality of the Pulsar 220 compared to any other bike in the country today is the roll-on figures at top (5'th) gear. The Pulsar 220 can maintain speeds of 30 Km/hr at top gear without any engine snatching. A twist of the accelerator will make the Pulsar 220 build up speeds from 30-70 Km/hr in top gear in the least time than any other bike in the country (Bike India Magazine's August 2007 issue had compared the top gear roll-on figures of the Pulsar 200/220 and the Karizma). The "Fuel Injection" is surely doing its job pretty admirably here..!!


"Public Ka Reaction": Reactions from onlookers..

The handling of the Pulsar 220 has been great to say the least. The only thing that has been difficult for me to handle is “the attention that I get everywhere I go..!!” Ok.. Ok.. lets correct that to “the attention that my Pulsar 220 gets wherever it goes..!!”

Even if 3 months have passed since the first Pulsar 220 appeared in Bangalore, the bike is still as elusive on the streets of Bangalore as a Bollywood Celebrity. I have personally come across just 3-4 other Pulsar 220s so far in Bangalore. So its natural that where ever my Pulsar 220 goes, heads invariably turn towards me.. err.. my Pulsar 220..!!

Here are a few queries that I have received so far from Perfect Strangers..

  • Average Kya Hai..?? (What’s the Mileage..??)

  • What’s the on-road price..??

  • How’s the power/pick up..??

  • What’s the top speed..??

The first question obviously has been repeated the most.. To which I did not have any answer so far since I had never bothered to check it.

Here are a few other gems which have left me amused/surprised.

  • Is it a modified Pulsar..??

  • Is it a limited edition Pulsar..??

  • Does this bike do 220 Km/hr..??


We have been following the hoopla around the Pulsar 220 since the day it was showcased at the Jan 2006 Auto Expo.. and here are a few souls who still doesn’t know about its existence. But nevertheless, everyone seems to be mesmerised by the imposing looks of the Pulsar 220 and the hypnotic gaze of its headlamps.

Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi

That's me on my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi




Previous issues that have improved:

Engine Over Heating Issue:

    The previous issue of the engine heating up a little more than what we would normally expect seems to have been solved. After 1000 Kms the engine doesn't get heated up that much.


Rear Disc Lacking Bite:

    Initially I did feel that the rear disc brakes could have done with more bite. But after 1000 Kms and having used the brakes so many times, I am now sure that Bajaj has intentionally given the rear discs lesser bite. Combined with the front disc brakes, braking is more than adequate for the Pulsar 220. Any more bite at the rear disc might have made the rear end of the bike slide around under heavy braking.




Minor Mishaps:

  • One of “2” from the raised “220” sticker from one of the tailpiece was removed (probably by one of the kids from my apartment building).


  • Someone removed the protective tank pad.


  • The Self Cancelling Turn Indicators doesn't cancell sometimes after coming out a turn




  • Toh Average Kya hai bhai..?? (So what’s the fuel efficiency dude..??)

    I don’t know whether I should reveal this, since I am myself perplexed with today’s readings.

    Today I decided to finally check the fuel efficiency of my bike. Accordingly I filled up the tank till the fuel spilled over the brim. After that I took the Pulsar 220 for a 86 km trip of which around 40% was within Bangalore City and 60% was covered on National Highway No. 7.

    I returned to the same fuel pump with 86 Kms on the trip meter and once again filled up the tank till the fuel spilled over the brim. The total amount of fuel that went in the tank this time came around 1.71 lts.

    So 86 Kms divided by 1.71 lts gives… 50.29 Kms/Lt..!! Honestly I myself cannot believe this figure. I just don’t know what to say.. Don't take my words right now.. I will definitely measure it one more time just to be sure. This time by riding only around streets of Bangalore.

    By the way, so far I have been riding like a perfect commuter and haven't crossed 65 Km/hr at the top gear.






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    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.




    20 Comments:

    Cé$âr said...

    Hmm... i think u should try a far more accurate way to check fuel eff!!

    Anonymous said...

    ce$ar, I think that's the best way to calculate fuel efficiency. i.e the tank top up method.

    is there a better way to chec k the fuel efficiency?

    Unknown said...

    I THINK RESERVE TO RESERVE

    Payeng said...

    @ everyone..

    Tank Full to Tank Full if the most accurate way to measure the fuel efficieny for a bike..

    Reserve to Reserve isn't an accurate method since the shape of the fuel tank at the bottom is NOT FLAT..




    Moreover there is NO Fuel on/off or reserve switch on the Pulsar 220..!!


    :-)

    Anonymous said...

    Payeng,

    That saree guard might save your life, if you want your sarees on the go.;)

    Anyway the problem with fuel tank measurement is that driving longer distances continueously would mean more KM per Litre and vise versa. If you go on a road with similar conditions would comparable with another bike.

    Payeng said...

    @Johnny..

    I agree the importance of Saree Guard.. but only when Sarees might be allowed on my bike.

    I am clear on this: No Sarees and riding pillion on my bike side on like a lady..

    although I don't mind Jeans, Capris or maybe Shorts..!!

    :-)




    With the Fuel Efficieny: I agree the reading might have been high since I rode 60% of those Kms on smooth and empty highways.. where gear changes and braking was minimal..

    moreover I was riding sedately and did not cross 65 Km/hr..

    Unknown said...

    The pulsar 220 is come with only electric start no manual start is included so there is any problem with
    the only electric start till now? And
    the pulsar 220 is availably in all black model like pulsar 200?

    Payeng said...

    @Sumedh,

    No.. there hasn't been any problem with the electric start.. its like having the electric start in cars.

    Right now Bajaj hasn't come out with any "all black" color for the Pulsar 220.

    Sajal said...

    You rock dude on the P220!!!! And no body can understand this better than me as I have a close cousine of your bike - P200.

    As far as the debate on mileage goes...........my take is....it's a futile chase as for performance bike you should not really be bothered about mileage as performance bike are for fun, thrill and high - performance and nothings free in this world. So, enjoy the bike and with the bike...every ride.

    Kal ko log poochenge....."Accha yaar Hyabusa toh tune le liya ab iska mileage kitna hai???" ;-)

    Payeng said...

    @sajal,

    true... I never bothered about the fuel efficiency.. but with everyone asking about it everywhere I go.. I had to tell them something.

    Now if I tell them its 50 Km/lt.. no ones's going to believe me either.. :-)

    For just City Runs, I am sure the mileage figure will come down.. will check it next time.


    I am sure you are enjoying your Pulsar 200 as well.

    Anonymous said...

    Well, if the Pulsar 220 is good then how come I hardly see them on road, the sales figure are bad.
    I am surprised to see that new Karizma is selling so well, although HH has hardly made any changes to this 4 year old bike. May be the people feel cheated by Bajaj for making all the bikes almost same i.e. 150cc, 180cc, 200cc and 220cc, all are almost same.

    Payeng said...

    Thanks anonymous for giving a good laugh..!! (isn't it funny that such comments are anonymous)


    Here is a piece of wisdom from my side: If you want somebody to want something, just make it difficult for him to possess..!! Eg: The Forbidden Fruit..!!


    I am happy Bajaj is producing the Pulsar 220 in limited numbers.. I just love the attention my bike gets everywhere it goes..

    hope my Pulsar 220 remains this exclusive before Bajaj launches its even bigger bikes..!!


    By the way if you do not believe my words, then you are welcome get one Pulsar 220 for yourself and find our how good or bad it is.

    Unknown said...

    In Bangalore the City traffic Condition my 220 gives 43 km pl.

    Abhi K. Bhattacharya said...

    @ Payeng & @ Sajal,


    very true, I own a p 220 Blue, third service done, the bike has amazed me in every respect. No other, "R15, ZMA, RTR etc." comes close once you start dragging from a signal on a 220 guys, I stay in Thane(W), Mumbai, the GhodBunder Rd, my proving grounds of this fact.

    PRANAV would b fine said...

    payeng,
    i have booked a 220 blue, but i didnt get it.dealers r saying that blue is less in number and i have to wait more. is that true. and can to tell me the minumum milleage of 220dtsi.

    Anonymous said...

    Hi all,

    could any1 please tell correct mileage of 220s in bangalore city as in some blog i also read a comment "its giving 25 so better buy 2nd hand car" :( :( ... i am tensed was planning to buy but confused now.

    sm1 telling 25 and sm1 50 ??

    Payeng said...

    @above,

    you can expect a mileage of around 35-40 kmpl under normal riding

    Anonymous said...

    Hi all,

    could any1 please tell correct mileage of 220s in bangalore city as in some blog i also read a comment "its giving 25 so better buy 2nd hand car" :( :( ... i am tensed was planning to buy but confused now.

    sm1 telling 25 and sm1 50 ??

    Abhi said...

    @ Payeng & @ Sajal,


    very true, I own a p 220 Blue, third service done, the bike has amazed me in every respect. No other, "R15, ZMA, RTR etc." comes close once you start dragging from a signal on a 220 guys, I stay in Thane(W), Mumbai, the GhodBunder Rd, my proving grounds of this fact.

    Unknown said...

    At the end of the day We own a pulsar220F n we Rock... we know what our bike is n it can beat any other bike on road... just beat it guys.. Cheeerssss to life.. :)

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