Bajaj Pulsar220 DTSF-i

I test rode the flagship Bajaj model today. Even with a pillion the bike really pulls hard, especially since am used to riding my unicorn. Khivraj is really taking things ahead in the right direction, apart from being one of the best(the best??) probiking showroom in the country, its the only showroom where the salesman who comes along with you on the test ride wears a helmet.. which is really nice.

They had a silver model for test ride, I didn't take my camera along so no pics. Actually, I had no plans of visiting Khivraj today, was on kasturba road and saw the p220 in the test ride section so just barged in. Ripped the bike hard in each gear took it upto 7-8k RPM in each gear. Its got some raw power to leave the annoying slow traffic behind in the city or on the highway.

Some people who have already bought the bike in the city(the first lot of bikes are already sold out) are reporting 40+kmpl in the city and 55+kmpl on the highway, and thats pretty good when compared to my bike which gives 50-55kmpl in city/highway riding.. But the folks at the showroom told me that theres a 6 month long waiting period for the bike, which is pretty long and pretty annoying..

About the bike itself, well, whats left to say.. its been discussed everywhere on the net ever since it was shown in the auto expo last year.. but from my test ride what I found out was the power is really neat, the seating position is excellent, and the exhaust note is really meaty..

The negatives now, there still is a little delay in throttle response, maybe Bajaj hasnt fine tuned its FI system properly, or it may also be down to the fact that it was a test bike.. and the rear view mirrors are absolutely useless.. they're too small/ too narrow..

How I wish I could buy, with a pricetag of 91+k OTR and a 6 month waiting period on top of it.. I'd rather stop dreaming about it :p

The specs(from rearset's blog)
======================
Engine
Type
Single Cylinder Air Cooled, 4 Stroke Sohc
Valve Train
2 Valve
Displacement
220cc
Bore & Stroke
NA
Comp. Ratio
NA
Starting
Electric Start only
Ignition/fuelling
Fuel injection (DTS-Fi)

• First four stroke engine in the world employing DTS-Fi technology
  
  • Intelligently controlled ignition timing for each plug
  • High combustion efficiency
  • Low performance variability between engines
  • Precise metering of fuel for highest outputs and lower emissions
  • Easy engine starts in all conditions of temperature and altitude
  • Best in class fuel economy [as in beating the Karizma? Is that even a task?
    
• First natural air-cooled 4-stroke engine in India employing a oil cooler
  
  • Maintains lube-oil viscosity even under extreme conditions of stress and ambient temperatures.
  • Also helps in cooling the engine internals
    
• First high capacity engine in India to employ rollers at rocker arm pivits and camshaft interfaces for low friction
  
• First engine in India to have electric start as the sole means of cranking

Performance
Max. Power
20 bhp (no rpm claim)
Max. Torque
1.95 kgm (no rpm claim)
Top speed
135 kph
Fuel economy
50 kpl in 'sane riding'

Transmission
Gear Box
5 Speed Constant Mesh
Clutch
New. Superior to Pulsar 180/150

Electricals
Battery
MF typre, 12V 9Ah
Head Light
Ellipsoidal projector 55W/parabolic 55W H7
Tail Light
High intensity LEDs

Chassis
Type
Double cradle (new frame)

Suspension
Front
37 mm Telescopic Hydraulic Type 130 mm travel
Rear
Ellipitical section Swing Arm With twin Hydraulic
Gas-charged Shock Absorbers; 101 mm travel

Brakes
Front
260mm Disc Type
Rear
230mm Disc Type

Tyres
Front
90/90-17 tubeless
Rear
120/80-17 tubeless


rearset's blog