Rahul Sathian

Hi, all......currently am using Pulsar 180 (2003) model.As for now i hope to change my bike as it is already 7 years old now.Am a proud owner of Pulsar 180 and at that time it was the king.

I will be selling by bike probably next month.

Want to take a new bike and am in a great dilemma.My choose is between karizma R and Pulsar 220.

On road price for Karizma R will be Rs.80700 and for Pulsar 220 will be Rs.82000.

I like Karizma for its build quality,reliability,ride position and refinement.

Pulsar 220 is also a very good value for money bike for the features it offer and it is power packed.

But Karizma is getting old from its launch since 2004.

My main issue is the non-availability of the kicker for Pulsar 220,as i would be using it rarely as i will be on my business tours for more than one month and so.I want to know the durability of the self starter.I heard the battery are of maintanence free.But am not so confident about the self starter as one of my friend's new Pulsar 180 self starter was not working due to some loose connection or trouble and it would be very difficult in the absence of a kicker.Where Karizma has got the kicker.

Bajaj is not great for quality and reliability comparing with Hero Honda.

I like the styling of Pulsar 220 and the features it offers like projector head lamps,rear disc brake,soft compound tubeless tyres,all black styling etc.

I too like the Karizma for the quality it offers and the perfect paint job all over especially the quality of engine side paintings which has got great life span too.

I request all the Karizma and Pulsar 220 owners to help me to get out of this issue.

With love
Rahul Sathian
Kerala,Trichur
India

Aryan

Topic Approved.

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Priyatam

Just take a test ride, one solution for all the questions in your mind. Both of them are equally good with their own pros and cons.

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Rahul Sathian

I have already driven Karizma,one of my friend's which i loved so much.My main issue is the unavailability of the kicker of Pulsar 220..Am not so sure about the durability of the self start in absence of kicker as i will be using my bike very rarely.I love Pulsar 220 the way it looks and the features it offer for the price.

bhargava_sr

I would suggest Karizma R than P220

badshah786

Hai Rahul, my advice is go for a Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTSi, it will fulfill all your personal and professional needs

About Palsar 220, here are my thoughts, in bold

1. Best resale value
2. Sporty looking bike, gives you a feel of owning a superbike
3. Introduced in 2009
4. Good millage, pickup
5. So many options for modification
6. This bike is for those who dream of buying a superbike (SBK), but cannot buy it because of the SBK's cost
7. Good and comfortable seating position and split seats
8. Improved Engine Performance
9. There are many good features which are very useful which are not there in Hero Honda Karizma R
10. Service Network is strong
11. Best digital Speedometer abd even good handling and riding aerodynamics and ergonomics in my opinion, when compared Karizma R
12. Hassle free maintainance and ownership
13. Better road presence, other road users will stare and envy the bike
14. Gas filled shock absorbers, adjustable, suspension are better
15. Tubeless tyres
16. Best looking tail lamp and projector head lamp
17. Clip on handlebars
18. Bike can be used for stunts and as well a show off
19. Comes from a repurated and trusted Brand
20. More number of satisfied customers then the Karizma R
21. Self canceling indicators
22. Best after sales service (A.S.S)
23. Little bit lowerly priced then the karizma r

ownership report about Pulsar 220 DTSi from xbhp owner, Pulsar 220 DTSI

and also check the pulsar 220 website
Bajaj New Pulsar 220 DTS-i (xHTML version) or Bajaj (HTML Version)


About Hero Honda Karizma R, here ae my thoughts

1. More frequent complains about the bike
2. poor pickup and millage
3. Options for modification, as the pulsar
4. Doesn't have much road presence
5. Some customers feel that the ride quality is stiff (Read an article about old karizma and new karizma zmr on some other bike website)
6. Above average Service and A.S.S
7. Less features when compared to pulsar 220
8. average resale value
9. A bit highly priced then the pulsar 220
10. Introduced in 2006 or 2008 (not sure about the launch date)
11. Has tubeless tyres
12. May be it will be hard to perform stunts

For more information visit Hero Honda Website www.herohonda.com and read this first impression report by xbhp about karizma r,

http://www.xbhp.com/talkies/desi-bikes/10422-karizma-zmr-ride-report-first-impressions.html

P.S Consider the Bajaj Pulsars 150 and 180 DTSi along with Kawasaki Ninja 250R which is Priced around Rs. 2 to 3 Lakhs.

you are 24 years old Rahul, place take a wise decision and all the best of luck for your purchase.

Rahul Sathian

Hai Badshah786,
Many thanks for your valuable comments.....
I just love the Pulsar 220.....the way it looks and the features it offer.....for a happy price stag.....My main issue is the absence of kicker......as i would be using my bike very rarely.....i heard battery are of maintenance free......but am not so sure......could you please give me a valuable comment on this issue......

Mik

Regarding your concerns about the absense of kick start, thats mostly a non issue.
On very very cold mornings you could have an issue with that (though unlikely) but dhakka start and other techniques (Ask the pbk mechanics) work well.

Also, do think if you would be having pillion on long rides. The 220 can be quite taxing to the pillion on a long ride while the zma is very comfortable.

If you like your red light GPs and short 0 to 60 sessions, go for the 220. Its too much fun. Plus you have the VFM features at that price. The zma lags in this department but makes up for it with its ultra refined engine and legendary reliability.

Now.. have i helped you or confused you more :P

Shashankre

Go for P220 dtsi dude..
You will not regret it. Thats my Guarantee! Even i was in similar situation like you and finally got the P220 2 days back.

The 2009 versions of pulsars cannot be compared with the older one's. The new one's are just brilliant in terms of engine refinement and build quality.

Frankly, i don't see any reason for you to go for Karizma R except that it seems to have smoother engine..nothing else..
Its an old bike buddy...

Hope my post was helpful.
Cheers

Rahul Sathian

Hi,Mik.....
Many thanks for your valuable comments.I am a business person and will not be at home for months and so.....thats why my issue of the absence of kicker is getting stronger.....how about the bike's self start durability if it is not used for more than 1 month???