Completed 1000 Kms on my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi.. Here's the story so far..
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..!! The Pulsar 220 engine does feel a bit coarse and lumpy around the 2000-3500 RPM mark.. 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). 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..!!” 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. 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. That's me on my Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi 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. 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. 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 I don’t know whether I should reveal this, since I am myself perplexed with today’s readings. Related Posts:
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.
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..
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..
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..
Here are a few other gems which have left me amused/surprised.
Previous issues that have improved:
Engine Over Heating Issue:
Rear Disc Lacking Bite:
Minor Mishaps:
Toh Average Kya hai bhai..?? (So what’s the fuel efficiency dude..??)
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.
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.
