pranay

Pulsar 220: Your expectations for the next-generation

As a Pulsar 220 owner myself, I have always wondered if there is a R15 expectations thread in xBhp, then why not a pulsar 220 expectations thread. Almost two years since it finally arrived after more than a year and half of speculation, the P220 has both disappointed and excited a lot of bikers.

First, when the design was first unveiled, the masses went gaga over most of the bodywork, but then Bajaj plonked most of them first into the chota-bhai P200, killing most of the exclusivity factor that the future owners were looking for. When it finally came, the half-fairing was still enough to confuse most of the people on the roads regarding which model and manufacturer it was. Most 220 owners can vouch for this when I say that most people don’t recognize it as a pulsar.

Technically, I was expecting the engine to be a screamer, which would decimate its closest rival then, the ZMA. But it was hardly that, and it disappointed most of the testers and enthusiasts who was waiting for it. Nonetheless, the FI system was a welcome change, the crisp throttle response, problem free starts was definitely a plus, seen in none of the Indian bikes before.

Even after multiple discussions and conflicting views with xBhpians, I still believe that this bike is a capable tourer. Well not as good as a ZMA of course, but if you look at its engine design, it is only slightly oversquare (Bore x Stroke) 67 mm x 62.4 mm. Comparatively with other pulsars, this has smoother engine. It can cruise in speeds of 80-90 comfortably. It has awesome straight-line stability, even in cross winds. It has decent enough brakes. One of the xBhpians (nitrosatya) hit the nail on the head when he said that if on one side there is a highway with the ZMA looking towards it and on the other side there is the track and the R15 looking towards it, P220 would be sitting and looking somewhere in the middle.

The Pulsar 220, even with loads of tech, still is nagged by individually unique problems. Each seems to come with its own personality and herein lies Bajaj’s weakness when it comes to the 220, consistency and reliability. Now when I say reliability, I mean it as general. It is a very capable bike as it is one of the only bikes that made it without any issues to one of the highest points where a bike can reach. Some 220s doesn’t require any maintenance. Some gives problems every week. But I will try to put out some negatives which are there with almost every 220.

- Noisy, vibe filled fairings.
- Weak disc brakes that like progressive bite.
- Very bad chain sprocket set, which needs to be either replaced early or maintained extensively
- Hard pillion seat reducing pillion comfort during long rides
- Soft front forks and rear shox, reducing stability during corners

And along with the improvements in the above areas, in the next update of the 220 I would also like to see –

- a sixth cog, and definitely a redesigned gearbox (I am sure it has enough torque to pull confidently with a sixth)

- redesigned tank, (oh please get rid of that design, it is good, but it has also been 8 years)

- somehow shed some weight of the bike

- monoshock

These are just the things that come to my mind right now. xBhpians, please feel free to add on and express your views and expectations.

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Aryan

Topic Approved.

Lets keep this real and no OTs would be allowed. We don't want users to post something illogical like a 4-cylinder, liquid cooled, 16-valve, 60bhp, 250cc machine as the NEXT Pulsar 220cc!

Let's keep this discussion serious. Before posting, remember Bajaj officials sure are watching!

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pranay

Thanks, Aryan for the superfast approval.

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Praful

@Pranay: Nice thread! I shall put in my comments after sometime!

@Aryan: I hope we can keep this thread clean of Bajaj bashing and the like!

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Aryan

Good topic, really. I would say a monoshock, coupled with a newly designed body work (if that is at all possible). Because, as far as the current design goes, although it does look good no doubt, but since Bajaj is recycling the parts on all it's Pulsar motorbikes, it has really become difficult to differentiate one Pulsar from the other when seen from certain angles.

It also is not really a done thing that Bajaj uses the same instrumentation on all the Pulsars. May be an added clock or temperature gauge or SOMETHING on their top of the line flagship model - the P220 would be really worthwhile.

Bottom line - something must be there which should differentiate a top of the line model of a leading two wheeler manufacturer from a commuter (P150) totally!

@Praful: No bashing would be allowed. Let us all reply to this thread after looking and understanding properly the need of the topic.

If anyone is caught bashing/flaming/ posting OTs, infractions would ensue. And that's a promise!

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Praful

IMHO

Most Important Things Needed:
- Better & Lighter frame (This bike needs better handling!)
- A more Responsive/Active/Stiffer Front & Rear suspension setup (A monoshock is welcome)
- Redesigned Electrical/Electronics, present setup is OK! We need more reliability from it
- The bike is unnecessarily heavy. The exhaust, alloys, tyres, frame & front/rear shockers are some of the easier things that can loose weight upto almost 10 kgs.
- Throttle response though good, needs to be a bit more refined at lower rpms, the "twitchiness" needs to go.
- The gearbox need to redesigned to accommodate a 6th cog. Like in the present gearbox the final two gears can be tall ratio for cruising.
- The front/rear brakes need to be more progressive than "bitey"
- Overall NVH levels are fine below 6K RPM currently, the same level of refinement needs to be achieved at higher RPMS too.


This much for now! Will add more stuff later.....

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46 the Greatest ever

Hello.....

I would like to see:

- Change the engine architecture, I don't know what else can be done with the current layout. Some say, that with the current design Bajaj has reached the limit of the Pulsar engine!!!

- A better front fairing than the current one (it looks good from the front, but not at all from the sides). When looked from the sides, it looks heavy which it should not!

- Obviously, the fuel tank needs to be redesigned. Come'on Bajaj, don't be so persistent about this design. The knee recesses needs to be improved.

- Considering the purpose of P220, I would like a wider and a softer seat for long comfortable journeys, right! (See Unicorn for reference)

- I haven't ridden P220 much, so cannot comment on the suspension, braking and the quality of the gearbox. P220 owners, please comment on these But I believe, Bajaj has still to come up to the refinement levels of Honda's and Yamaha's.

- Talking of refinement, smoother engine at higher rpms and speeds, please!

- And yes, very important, a distinctive design...especially now when P200 has been given a P220 treatment!

Aparajith

Most of u guys have posted what I wanted to post here. So these are only a few things that I would like to change:

1. The chassis and engine mounting certainly does not allow a monoshock setup like the Uni or FZ. But even with the traditional twin-shox the handling can be made R15 rivalling. Case in point - the RTR.
2. Yes, more weight reduction is certainly welcome. It can be implemented in places like the exhaust(which IMHO is too much), alloys, light-weight but better quality fiber parts
3. A tank with better knee recess. I know it might destroy the "Pulsar brand image", but heck give a new brand image to the 220 alone!
4. A bit taller gearing if ur only using the 5 speed mill ese give it an overdrive 6th. the tourers will bless u.
5. Overall reliability and product quality.
6. Provide custom made better tires which have better grip with reduced weight.
7. Better brakes that are more responsive
8. Rear view mirrors, rear view mirrors, rear view mirrors!
9. Time on the display.

Since I am not a 220 owner/tourer, I have nothing more to add. All the above are my experiences from my old pulsar and the few rides I have taken.

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almondnine

I would put 'monoshock' rear suspension above any other updates.

Pillion comfort is important for every bike buyer in India.

A lot of people buy Unicorn just for its ride and pillion comfort. A lot of parents can influence the decisions of their children if they know that a particular bike has a good pillion seat. Unicorn currently enjoys the attention that it gets from this segment.

This single move can banish Unicorn from sales charts.

pranay

There is a difference in segment when we talk about the Unicorn and the 220. I agree that P220 should have better pillion comfort, but even if it does, I am 100% sure this won't effect the sales of the Unicorn. There is a difference of 30K between the bikes, bro.

And how the heck could I have missed in the first post-------> RVMs.

Please, Bajaj, do something about the RVMs. You are making the 220's to ride at the back of the pack so that we don't have to turn our heads to look behind. Either that or the 'chicken dance'!

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