21 Bold Bajaj: New Bajaj 150 DTSI "Phantom" (Pics/Images/Price/Tech Specs)

Last weekend I was in Bangalore. I took the opportunity and promptly went to different bike showrooms to test ride the latest 150 c.c bikes that has recently been released in India. This post is the first of the series about my test rides and the visits to these showrooms.

My first post is about my visit to "Khivraj Motors" a Bajaj Showroom in Indiranagar, Bangalore. Here I get to see the New Bajaj Pulsar DTSI "Phantom" twins i.e. the 150 and the 180. Alas..!! I could not get a test ride because the model displayed there were booked and there wasn't any test bike available. But I did get to click a few pictures with my camera and also briefly spoke with the guys at the showroom about the new bikes. After my conversation with the showroom guys and after looking at the new bikes I realized that Bajaj has become bold..!!!

Bold Bajaj..!!!

Bold Bajaj

"Pulsar 150 is now the costliest 150 C.C bike in the country..!!"

"Price difference between the 150 & 180 is only around Rs.2000..!!"

Q. Which is the "Costliest" 150 c.c bike in India today?

• The New Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSI is now the Costliest 150 c.c bike in India..!! Priced at Rs. 65,539 (On Road Price Bangalore)

The other 150 c.c bikes are priced as follows: (Front Disc+Self Start Model)

• Honda Unicorn: Rs. 60,586 (On Road Price Bangalore)


• TVS Apache : Rs. 61,350 (On Road Price Bangalore)


• Hero Honda CBZ Xtreme: Rs. 63,977 (On Road Price Bangalore)
  

Q. How much is the price difference between the 150 & the 180..??

• By just 2,200 Odd Rupees..!!


• The New 180 DTSI is priced at Rs. 67,265 (On Road Price Bangalore)

Q. Is there any increase/change in engine of the New Pulsar 150DTSI..??

• No..!! According to the guys at the showroom the new 150 has no engine changes. It is essentially the same old DTSI engine with additional goodies.

[Update 23/11/06: Official Tech Specs of the DTSI Twins have been made public in the Bajaj Website. There has been a few modifications on the Pulsar 150 C.C.

• According to Bike India and Overdrive magazine the cubic capacity of the Pulsar 150 have been increased from previous 143 C.C to 149.01 C.C.


• There has been a minor increase (of 0.4 b.h.p) in power for the 150. From the earlier 13.5 b.h.p to 13.9 b.h.p
  
  
• Torque is now rated at 12.76 Nm]

Q. What are the changes to the new Pulsar 150 DTSI..??

• Digital Speedo/Tacho Assembly

• Self Cancelling turn indicators (the new bike doesn't have a push
  to cancel option..!!)

• Backlit Switches that glow in the dark

• LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for the tail lamp

• New side and rear body panels, Headlight encased by Matt Black Plastic

• 1-Down, 4-Up Gear Pattern

(In fact the only visual difference the Pulsar 150 and 180 is the all black paint scheme of the 180 and the silver engine and alloy painted 150)

So whats Bold about Bajaj..???

• Well for one that Bajaj has decided not to play the bike manufacturer which makes bikes which costs less.


• Even if the CBZ Xtreme is the most powerful 150 c.c bike at 14.2 bhp, Bajaj has still kept the earlier engine spec at 13.5 bhp and still commanding a premium on it.


• You want a Bajaj, you need to pay a premium over other bikes now..!!
  

So will Bajaj be successful at this new game..??

All I can say is that

• Among all the showrooms I visited (TVS, Hero Honda, Honda), the Bajaj showroom was the most crowded.


• Both the new bikes (150 & 180) shouted "quality", fit and finish was the best.


• Agreed i did not get a test ride but both the bikes looked extremely aggressive and racy even when standing still.


• It still looks "Definitely Male"..!!


• Most importantly I am convinced that "Chicks" will turn their heads to look at the bike (no guarantee abt the rider though)

In my opinion the last two points must be reason enough for blokes all over India to head for the Bajaj Showrooms. Never mind that premium over other bikes.

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.