The Hindu Business Line : New Pulsar is meaner and blacker

SINCE its introduction, the Bajaj Pulsar may not have clocked the kind of numbers that the Hero Honda Splendor has, but its success can still be ranked with the latter's.

The Pulsar's introduction was probably a harbinger of the kind of design revolution that was to sweep Bajaj ever since. Further, the Pulsar has also been the beneficiary of Bajaj's penchant for acting on customer feedback, with new features that have gone on to make the bike even better.

Of course, the Pulsar has also benefited from in-house technologies such as the digital twin spark ignition and ExhausTEC, which have boosted the bike's performance parameters.

The Pulsar has witnessed a series of upgrades, with the latest being for the 180 DTS-i. The improvements for this bike also, somehow, appear to have found inspiration from customer feedback; after all, who wouldn't like a mean-looking street bike.

So, to give it that differentiating, meaner look vis-à-vis its smaller-engined 150 cc twin, the new Pulsar 180 DTS-i has been dressed in black. In place of the splatter of chrome in its predecessor, the new Pulsar 180 comes with a matt black finish for all the exposed metal parts in the lower half of the bike, extending to the engine blocks, the oil sump, the six-spoke alloy wheels, the bent exhaust pipe section, the front crash bar and even the saree guard.

The lower part of the bike is so intensely black that there are only a few parts — such as shock absorber parts, the disc brake and pads, the silencer guard, the triple clamp at the front, the rear grab rail and the die-cast sub-frame at the rear — that are still naturally aluminium coloured or in chrome.These, as a result, stand out. The bike, of course, looks best (or should we say meanest) when it sports a shiny black paint for the rest of its body too.

The other change in the bike is the inclusion of Bajaj's torque expansion chamber technology or ExhausTEC, a resonator built into the exhaust system for improving low-end torque, lower emissions and a better, more macho, exhaust note. The bike also gets a large 240 mm ventilated disc brake for quicker braking.

The Pulsar's engine and ignition systems have gone through minor modifications meant to boost performance and fuel efficiency, albeit only marginally.

The cylinder head now comes with roller rocker arms for lower friction. The clutch has also been improved for better feedback and lower effort.

The intake manifold has been redesigned for optimised flow and new valve timings have been set for matching performance with the new exhaust system.

The minor changes to the engine make the new Pulsar 180 easier to handle in the city, requiring fewer gear changes. Though acceleration has been marginally compromised, drivability while staying in higher gear slots has improved.

The other features continue to be largely the same — 17-inch alloy wheels, the NitroX, gas-assisted rear shock absorbers, the unique, Pulsar-trademark bikini fairing and aggressive headlamp with twin pilot lamps.

For those looking for a street bike that can give them the genuine feel of a racer, the Pulsar would always have been among their top two choices.

With the latest addition, Bajaj has just upped this bike's attractiveness quotient.

To further retain and enhance its premium, exclusive image, Bajaj is attempting to market the bike through special, designated `Probiking' dealerships that the company has identified in a number of cities.

For bikers who have been waiting for a match for their helmets, leather jackets and black leather tights, the new Pulsar 180 will be the perfect complement.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

More Stories on : Two/Three Wheelers | Auto Focus

Stories in this Section
Investment quiz

Mettle only in frontline metal stocks now

Leaving a mark on the BSE

Closed-end funds: Stepping out of the rat race

Bounce-back in equities — Patterns in a choppy market

What goods vehicles are no good for

Delphi to make diesel systems in Asia

Franklin Prima: Invest

Don't overload on equity funds

Tata Tax Saving Fund: Hold