My New Bajaj Pulsar 220: The Known Devil!

[rakeshkn]

Prologue:
Some says known devil better than unknown angel.

I totally agree with that.

And I welcomed again a Bajaj Pulsar, 220 this time.

Models considered :

Gixxer SF
Yamaha R15S
Honda Hornet

Those listed bikes are not satisfy me much, no offense to the owners or bikes but being a Pulsar Man till 2008, I am not much comfortable with these machines. But I will list one issue I faced with each models. I wish to write more but this is posting from a mobile fyi.

Gixxer
I was not getting the punch from the engine or feel from exhaust note

R15S
Low end torque is very less and had a wrist pain after riding some distance.

Honda Hornet
Nothing to complain from engine part but suspension is very hard and ugly headlamp

How come to Pulsar again?
While coming back to home after test riding Gixxer, just decided to check it out the Pulsar NS, and while looking to the Pulsar AS I found 220 standing aside, the curiosity to the AS gone some how and I Asked for a test ride on 220. Man I sold to the low end torque, there I decided to getting a Pulsar again. For the records A Bajaj Pulsar 220 F.

But before deciding, I consulted some of my friends who is using Pulsars to get rid of the confusion regarding AS or 220.

Due to some reasons, I didn' like the design of AS or Engine. So booked 220.

Again I am riding a Pulsar, a bigger Pulsar. Let me list some pros and cons before concluding.

Pros
Gem of an Engine
Projector headlight
Auto chock
Riding comfort
Heavy torque.
Seating Position
Semi Fairing

Cons
Main stand scraping, cut out the bush so almost solved
Handling In corners, not experienced much as the bike is in running period
Auto chock, not a con but weird behavior some times
Missing on mornings.
Will list the issues whenever I face

Okay thats all for now. I will update this thread regularly, I know a thread without pictures is worthless and I am posting some pics from my mobile.

Thanks for reading!

 

[rakeshkn]

First service has been done, total cost involved 699. Engine oil changed chain lube applied.

Total odo: 425 KM

 

[TSIVipul]

Congrats for P220 Rakesh, it is indeed a good motorcycle and with time, most of the niggles etc have also been ironed out.

I have been owning P220 since 4 years (2 of them) and after covering around 80k kms with this beast, I have only two suggestions:
1) Get low beam raised a bit and avoid riding on high beam for long hours, it takes hardly 2 hours of continuous riding at hig beam that will crack the headlamp glass (Under warranty replacement though)
2) Ride in right gear, this motorcycle loaves eating clutch and chain set but if you ride well then no issues at all. My P220 has over 52k kms on odo and still the stock the clutch is good for next 20k kms at least. Shift up at 3500 rpm on highways and at 2500 under normal city ride, the torque is enough to keep you moving around. When you need power, just take it past 6000 rpm and enjoy the power.

I wrote about my baby here BTW:
http://www.theautomotiveindia.com/f...-bajaj-pulsar-220-dts-i-test-ride-review.html

 

[rakeshkn]

Thanks Vipul. I love every meters riding my bike, it sweet. After first service I just took to 6k rpm and in 5th gear this bike was on 100 kmph

And regarding my riding style, I keep my bike always on torque curve which from 3k in my feelings. I am least worried about chain life as I feel comfortable with engine braking to assist.

On morning it has some missing but it settle in a couple of minutes.

And how to adjust projector a bit higher? My mechanic says it is not possible at all. But I prefer a diy.

I am planning to change engine oil again after a 1000 kilometers to Motul and keeping mind in warranty for that I will do the services as per the manual too.

I read your bikes review, while I was booked and waiting for delivery btw.

:)

 

[bharathbigb]

Congratulations on the new 220F.Fantastic Bike

May I know why you chose the 220F over the much newer and technically better RTR 200 ?

 

[rakeshkn]

it is because of the quality of the bike, I was using an Apache RTR 180 for two years. And with in an year, paint has faded, everything felt like a decade old in terms of quality and of course Vibration from engine.

 

[rakeshkn]

Stock mirrors were useless, I cant see anything behind the bike. A friend brought a pair of handle bar clamps, and I fixed NS mirrors on the handle.

And this is how the bike looks now.







Thanks :)