The Hindu Business Line : Big changes to smaller sibling

Close on the heels of launching the redesigned and more refined new variant of the Pulsar 180 DTS-i, Bajaj has also introduced a refurbished version of its smaller-engine 150 DTS-i twin. Most of the changes to the new 150 DTS-i are identical to the ones introduced in the Pulsar 180.

So, the new Pulsar 150 also gets the same new wolf-eye headlamp assembly and reflectors, the lowered, slightly smaller bikini fairing, the digital LCD speedometer console, self-cancelling turn indicator switches, the twin-strip LED tail lamp, backlit non-contact electrical switches and the new silencer assembly.

The other features that have been carried forward for the smaller sibling from the new version of the Pulsar 180 include the auto switchover type headlamp bulb, the new side covers that are sharper and more attractive, new seat cowl and mudguard. The new Pulsar 150 will also feature a low maintenance battery that now requires checks for electrolyte level only once a year.

A new vent mechanism also allows gas and vapour to escape. To save the battery from overloading (for example, by disabling cranking after three successive quick attempts), there is also an inbuilt protection logic system.

The bike has not merely been given a cosmetic makeover, there are also changes to the engine, clutch and gearbox. These have helped improve the bike's power, performance and refinement. The earlier engine's bore and stroke have been marginally altered to come up with a slightly larger 149cc displacement compared to the earlier engine's 143.9cc displacement.

The higher displacement in turn also leads to an improvement in the peak power delivered by the engine to 10.37 kW at 8,500 rpm compared to the previous engine's 9.94 kW at the same engine rpm level.

The 5 per cent increase in maximum power should enhance the bike's performance on the highway. In the meanwhile, the peak torque of the new engine is also up at 12.76 Nm at 6,500 rpm compared to the predecessor's 12.28 Nm. A revamped clutch assembly in the new 150 DTS-i, like in the new Pulsar 180, has an in-built anti-judder mechanism.

Combined with the new one-down, four up shift-pattern for the five-speed gearbox, which has a new shifter assembly, the Pulsar 150 is now much more refined in the powerplant department. Rideability has improved and the incidence of false neutrals has been well contained, though not fully eliminated.

At about Rs 58,000 (ex-showroom), the new Pulsar 150 DTS-I, comes at nearly the same price as its predecessor.

S. Muralidhar

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