It’s been almost 10 years since I bought my Bajaj Pulsar 180 Classic and a lot has change since I bought my motorcycle, and now the market is flooded with a plethora of choices in the “premium motorcycle segment” and yet, even today if I have to buy a motorcycle, it would likely be a brand new Bajaj Pulsar 180!
Why?
Well frankly speaking, at the moment there is no other motorcycle in the Indian market, which suits my requirement more than a Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi, and since the bike I buy next would likely end up becoming my primary motorcycle for touring in hills and even on the highways, it has to fulfill certain criteria and they are (in no particular order):
1. At least 500km tank range in hills.
2. More powerful than my current motorcycle.
3. Ability to easily mount tank and saddle bags.
4. Reliable.
5. Has ergonomics somewhat similar to what I am used to i.e. no split seats (needs to be fixed), no rear set foot pegs and absolutely no cruiser style ergonomics.
6. Comparatively good After Sales Service Network (have dealt enough with Bajaj Auto to know how to deal with them and plus have a good mechanic for my Pulsar)
7. Good and powerful headlight (Pulsar 180 does not have it, but after plonking a 55w halogen, it would be).
8. Longer wheelbase than my current bike (I hate the shorter wheelbase when the bike is fully loaded with luggage and on steep bad/off roads.)
9. Ability to install dual purpose tyres without any modification.
10. DC electrical i.e. headlight runs off the battery.
Of course there is a lot more to a bike and I do have other reasons. However, these are the primary ones which have lead me to believe that at least as of now, my next general purpose touring bike would be a Bajaj Pulsar 180 once again. Which at least based on my perception and requirements is the best touring motorcycle in India!
23 Comments
YS.. Even i owned and rode bajaj caliber for long 12 years.. it was good bike and yes… headlight was poor(i guess all bajaj vehicles suffer on that front..)
I am without any bike for good 3 years… and still have no idea about my new bike…..
lol, same here. The first time I rode to Manali, I had a helmet with black visor and a 35w bulb for headlight, couldn’t see a thing! Got the bulb changed to halogen when I came back and much later, got the Avenger coil plate fitted, which runs 55/60w halogen with ease.
Hi Yogesh, I am Vivek from Bangalore. I also own a Bajaj Pulsar 150, UG3(Jan 2008 Model), but not at all satisfied with the stock headlight. So once I have upgraded to BiXenon projector HID, but within 1 month, it gave problem of draining the battery. So i rolled back to Stock headlight. However now a days, I have to ride during nights, so I started hunting for alternates and ways to improve the stock headlight. After going through a lot of threads in BCM, and other blogs, i am finding only one answer. That is to change the Stator Plate to Avenger 180’s and upgrade the Bulb to a 60/55 of Philips.
I am looking for a small help from you, is that what it all needs to be changed, for getting a brighter and better light?
Can it be done with my regular mechanic, who does the regular servicing of my bike, and what would be the impact on the performance of the Bike.
Thanks in Advance
Vivek
Bangalore
Vivek, you don’t need Avenger stator plate, that is for motorcycles running headlight off of engine. What you need to do is, you need to convert your motorcycle from AC to DC setup i.e. reroute the power which was earlier going to your headlight, into recharging your battery. For this you will also need to change the charger and any competent bike electrician should be able to do this for you.
Once this is done, your battery would get more current than it is currently getting and should be able to sustain your HID. Here is a thread on BCMTouring, explaining the same http://www.bcmtouring.com/forum/motorcycles-f13/electrical-modification-convert-apaches-full-dc-power-run-hids-all-day-t23539/.
This list makes me to prepare my list of favorite items on a motorcycle. Any ways an interesting list Yogesh , a purely practical one 🙂
yogesh,
Why dint you consider suzuki gs 150R, even its a 150cc, its a perfect tourer.
Tank bag may not fit for GS may be 😉
Because I already have a 180cc motorcycle and I would want at least slightly more powerful bike than that.
fine. I wish your classic 180 serves another 3 to 5 years successfully.
Lets hope so, after all she has served me quite well over 10 years.
Why not Pulsar 220 or 200, Yogesh? 220, along with Karizma, is the most popular non-RE touring bike in India.
I hate the seating of 220 and 200NS doesn’t have the range.
Do not agree in the case with 220. Yes 200NS lacks the capability for installing saddle bags and tank-top bags (Plastic tanks problems)
Ashish you do not agree that “I hate” the seating for 220?
And Karizma R?
Nilanjan, Karizma is a great motorcycle and the only issue I have with it is the tank range. Apart from that, it is perfect for what I like to do.
Dear Yogesh. I am an owner of 3 years old P220 FI. I am looking for best mechanic for pulsars in Delhi. I live in Dwarka, but if the suggested mechanic is located 50Kms away from my location then I have no pain in going there; as long as my requirement if fullfilled.
Please refer some good mechanics in Delhi NCR region. My bike has covered 70K Kms till date and I want to associate with this mechanic for regular servicing.
Also what engine oil will you suggest. I use castrol Speed when not touring. Use Motul Full synthetic when touring towards deserts and Bajaj DTS-i oil when going towards hill. Am I making a mistake changing the oil types frequently?
Regards
Ashish
Get in touch with Javed (9810989786) and stick with Motul.
Current pulsar 180 lacks kick start, I guess.isn’t it a big disadvantage for a touring bike?
In my 12 years of owning Pulsar 180, electric start has ditched me once during a trip. That too because I didn’t change a battery which was on its last leg and I knew it would fail anytime.
Plus you can always push start the bike, if the electric start fails.
Dear Yogesh,
I am looking to buy new model(2014) of pulsar 180. Is it good to have this bike without kick? Can you suggest me few tips to maintain battery so that I can blindly go for Pulsar 180?
Thanks
Hi Yogesh
I have a pulsar 220 with me, which is around 5 years old and sparsely used(15000 Km).When i went on to purchase the bike, i had quite a few options, but the only reason why i bought 220 was bcoz of the balance it offers while applying brakes on high speeds.This ensued the confidence of taking sharp turn, driving fast etc.but recently the rear wheel is off balanced.I feel it when i cross 75-80 on the bike,i got it checked by pro-biking, they changed brake shoes, but again the problem remained, then i got the Tyre changed, shockers checked and refilled.I did anything and everything that was suggested or made sense but all in vain.I have tried all types of mechanics available and concluded that whosoever i go to (Pro-biking, local mechanic), they introduce more problems than the solutions i was looking for.I always had a bike as i love driving bikes.But these problems with the 220 are a big turn off.As of now, i have changed the battery thrice,(now moved to a dry battery),as the in-house battery would drain out and the bike would be a source of mockery when i had to run to start it(without kick), Rear Tyre changed, shockers refilled and maintained, while crossing a speed breaker, bike makes a metallic snap sound, don’t know the reason for it (reason i thought may be shockers, but no).I understand the concept of shelf life but it is hard to digest that a bike used for 15000 km could have all these issues.
Now, the reason to write all this “Dukh bhari dastan”, As i can see that you and others on the forum are avid bike lovers, so i thought you people might suggest me something that i missed.Also, i stay in Delhi/NCR, so if someone could suggest a good mechanic.All the ideas/suggestions are welcomed except to sell off the bike.Though proving to be a white elephant, i still love it.
Thanks
Instead of getting rear suspension refilled, replace them. Because frankly speaking, part replacement is a much better option than trying to fix them, since it doesn’t works all the time.
Similarly if battery is draining out, then there is a problem with wiring or charging, so it needs to be checked out as well.
If rear wheel is off balanced, then it might be due to accident (if the bike has been through one.)
As far as mechanic is concerned, contact Javed at 9810989786. He has been servicing my motorcycle for over 12 years.
yogesh, i used pulsar 180 for 6 months and after thar it was stolen but in 6 months i became fan of this mechanism. again i would like to buy the same bike