[What Bike]: Finally, getting a bike: How I decided on the P220! - xBhp.com : The Global Indian Biking Community

montiez · 10-31-2008, 06:07 AM

Well, it's been long time due so here to goes!

I've been reading these forums since June this year and not really posted anything since I hadn't owned a bike yet. Have to admit, have found xbhpians very responsible and mature, it shows indian riders in good light. Thumbs up to that!

Anyways, am 26 now and felt in another 2 years the time to own a bike would pass me by and more than 2 wheels would be required, more need than desire. So I've finally decided to take the plunge and go for it. I've zeroed in on Pulsar 220 and I think it would the ideal bike for me, considering the current market situation.

I know people will ask me why not other bikes so let me give my brief thoughts on possible options:

RTR FI: Never driven one but impressed by the zeal TVS have shown and am sure it's a good bike after all the good comments pointing out it's handling and rev happy engine. But I think spending 74k and the 220 being 87k, I can go with the bigger bike with more power/torque.

FZ16: It's brand new and highly unavailable for next 2 months, can't wait that long now. Also, reviews so far haven't pointed out the bike apart from good handling, which is a Yamaha trait. Will pass this one.

R15: Is an amazing bike and indeed a revolution in Indian industry. But 1.10lac is bit too much for what I had budgeted for, I even have to stretch for 220. Moreover, I think for city riding 220's torque would be more handy than R15.

Karizma: Had really decided to go with this till the last moment. But then several points made my decision to with 220, I've listed them below.

Pulsar 220: Really found the lights, suspension, riding position, switchgear to be far better than Karizma. Also, FI tech. did influence the decision and after reading Payeng, Prafultripathy, MG and several others decided that 220 did have better power delivery than the Honda mill.

What I really want is a ride with good power delivery upto 110kmpr, the engine should not feel stressed at those speeds, this is what ruled out FZ16/RTR for me. Another thing is that I'll be going over quite a few pot holed roads so good suspension is must, I felt this is where 220 scores well. I am open to thoughts from others, but I do believe I've made the right decision.

One last thing, I liked the silver 220 since it kind of gels with the whole bike since alloys/engine/body panels are all silver. I am open to thoughts!

Phew, looong post. Sorry!!

Sunny · 10-31-2008, 07:13 AM

Topic Approved

I would say good choice. According to me there are only two bikes currently in India that can seamlessly transform into city commuters, tourers, stunters, and if you will, milk can delivery vehicles

- Karizma and the P220.

So thumbs up!

Aryan · 10-31-2008, 08:30 AM

Good decision, but have you given a passing thought to the P-200?

But, perhaps you want a FI machine..

prakash_mvpa · 10-31-2008, 08:38 AM

good choice.last I heard P200 gives a good competition to P220

.and even P220 will feel strained at 110kmph.No ZMA?spares availability I suppose?

koolscorp · 10-31-2008, 08:42 AM

indeed p220 is a very capable machine go a head with your decision mate..
ride safe

pranay · 10-31-2008, 09:23 AM

though its your first post, it seems you have read through the P220 logs. Well, brother, all I can say is :- right choice!

As Sunny, said, P220 and ZMA are the two machines that has multiple faces and facets along with it. You don't have to worry about power delivery till 110 kmph. This one does it seamlessly till 120(speedo)

-- after that you hit the wind-wall.

The suspension is better than the 150/180 because of the elliptical swing arm, while going over pot-holes it does offer a better cushion. Switchgear is of top-notch, better than the ZMA for sure.

Yes, the engine does give vibes at 80-90+ speeds in the beginning but in my case, it has smoothened out, especially after running on Motul 300V for around 1000 kms. Of course, it is nowhere as refined as, say, an R15, ZMA or Unicorn engines.

About color, well, I too liked silver, but I had other plans in mind...

montiez · 10-31-2008, 10:48 AM

I took a test drive for P200 but found the riding position to be inferior to P220. Also, since I was going with a pulsar I though why not go the Fi-way. In 70k range, I'd prefer Zma.

I'll admit, I was really really torn between Zma and P220. It was Zma's inadeqaute horn, lights and spartan switchgear that put off. I thought though the engine would be more smooth in it, the overall package of P220 was more appealing. I know, some of you have changed these on their Zma but I won't get the time to do it later.

Maybe if HH made some minor upgrades, I would've gone with it.

Could you guys tell me if Bajaj use normal quality paint on these bikes(P200/P220). Would silver be a good choice if I want to keep the bike for 2-3 years?

pranay · 10-31-2008, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montiez

....
Could you guys tell me if Bajaj use normal quality paint on these bikes(P200/P220). Would silver be a good choice if I want to keep the bike for 2-3 years?...

As far as paint on the body goes, they are of good quality.

Silver is a low-maintenance color. They don't look as dirty as other colors when dust sticks on. But at the same time, it doesn't looks as vibrant as other colors, and it doesn't reflect color as much.

niks_devil666 · 10-31-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by montiez

Would silver be a good choice if I want to keep the bike for 2-3 years?

Silver is good for 200 as there is a contrast with black , for 220 it looks bland. (IMO)

vinfreak · 10-31-2008, 02:16 PM

Hey..i have been in your position for quite sometime now..220 is truly a good package for that price..the only negative is the refinement. Zma scores there but is a let down as a whole package..its a 5 yr old model they are selling..
220 is surely a good choice..i have heard that they are coming out with a newer version of 220..with handle mounted mirrors..white LCD backlite and some mods to the exhaust..plz check with your showroom fellas on the same.
As far as my desicion is concerned..i have put it on hold till Jan 09..depending on whats available then i would be buying it..some news have it that Zma FI is gonna hit the scene in dec..True or False..i would be on new wheels in the new year!!

10-31-2008, 06:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
montiez Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 25	Finally, getting a bike: How I decided on the P220! Well, it's been long time due so here to goes! I've been reading these forums since June this year and not really posted anything since I hadn't owned a bike yet. Have to admit, have found xbhpians very responsible and mature, it shows indian riders in good light. Thumbs up to that! Anyways, am 26 now and felt in another 2 years the time to own a bike would pass me by and more than 2 wheels would be required, more need than desire. So I've finally decided to take the plunge and go for it. I've zeroed in on Pulsar 220 and I think it would the ideal bike for me, considering the current market situation. I know people will ask me why not other bikes so let me give my brief thoughts on possible options: RTR FI: Never driven one but impressed by the zeal TVS have shown and am sure it's a good bike after all the good comments pointing out it's handling and rev happy engine. But I think spending 74k and the 220 being 87k, I can go with the bigger bike with more power/torque. FZ16: It's brand new and highly unavailable for next 2 months, can't wait that long now. Also, reviews so far haven't pointed out the bike apart from good handling, which is a Yamaha trait. Will pass this one. R15: Is an amazing bike and indeed a revolution in Indian industry. But 1.10lac is bit too much for what I had budgeted for, I even have to stretch for 220. Moreover, I think for city riding 220's torque would be more handy than R15. Karizma: Had really decided to go with this till the last moment. But then several points made my decision to with 220, I've listed them below. Pulsar 220: Really found the lights, suspension, riding position, switchgear to be far better than Karizma. Also, FI tech. did influence the decision and after reading Payeng, Prafultripathy, MG and several others decided that 220 did have better power delivery than the Honda mill. What I really want is a ride with good power delivery upto 110kmpr, the engine should not feel stressed at those speeds, this is what ruled out FZ16/RTR for me. Another thing is that I'll be going over quite a few pot holed roads so good suspension is must, I felt this is where 220 scores well. I am open to thoughts from others, but I do believe I've made the right decision. One last thing, I liked the silver 220 since it kind of gels with the whole bike since alloys/engine/body panels are all silver. I am open to thoughts! Phew, looong post. Sorry!!

10-31-2008, 08:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Aryan Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: New Delhi/ Shillong Posts: 18,274	Good decision, but have you given a passing thought to the P-200? But, perhaps you want a FI machine.. __________________ ...in search of that perfect world - My Travel Blog :)

10-31-2008, 08:38 AM	#4 (permalink)
prakash_mvpa Lazy Biker Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Muvattupuzha ,Kerala Posts: 607	good choice.last I heard P200 gives a good competition to P220 .and even P220 will feel strained at 110kmph.No ZMA?spares availability I suppose? __________________ Get GNU/Linux

10-31-2008, 09:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
pranay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Bangalore, Karnataka, India. Posts: 1,806	though its your first post, it seems you have read through the P220 logs. Well, brother, all I can say is :- right choice! As Sunny, said, P220 and ZMA are the two machines that has multiple faces and facets along with it. You don't have to worry about power delivery till 110 kmph. This one does it seamlessly till 120(speedo) -- after that you hit the wind-wall. The suspension is better than the 150/180 because of the elliptical swing arm, while going over pot-holes it does offer a better cushion. Switchgear is of top-notch, better than the ZMA for sure. Yes, the engine does give vibes at 80-90+ speeds in the beginning but in my case, it has smoothened out, especially after running on Motul 300V for around 1000 kms. Of course, it is nowhere as refined as, say, an R15, ZMA or Unicorn engines. About color, well, I too liked silver, but I had other plans in mind... __________________ DoN\'t LivE tO DiE, dIe tO LiVe

10-31-2008, 02:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
vinfreak WILD CHILD Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Amsterdam Posts: 276	Hey..i have been in your position for quite sometime now..220 is truly a good package for that price..the only negative is the refinement. Zma scores there but is a let down as a whole package..its a 5 yr old model they are selling.. 220 is surely a good choice..i have heard that they are coming out with a newer version of 220..with handle mounted mirrors..white LCD backlite and some mods to the exhaust..plz check with your showroom fellas on the same. As far as my desicion is concerned..i have put it on hold till Jan 09..depending on whats available then i would be buying it..some news have it that Zma FI is gonna hit the scene in dec..True or False..i would be on new wheels in the new year!! __________________ *"Bikes + Music = Nirvana"*

10-31-2008, 07:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
Sunny SlowMotionInfinity Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Delhi Posts: 7,292	Topic Approved I would say good choice. According to me there are only two bikes currently in India that can seamlessly transform into city commuters, tourers, stunters, and if you will, milk can delivery vehicles - Karizma and the P220. So thumbs up!

10-31-2008, 08:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
koolscorp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: new delhi Posts: 128	indeed p220 is a very capable machine go a head with your decision mate.. ride safe

10-31-2008, 10:48 AM	#7 (permalink)
montiez Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chandigarh Posts: 25	I took a test drive for P200 but found the riding position to be inferior to P220. Also, since I was going with a pulsar I though why not go the Fi-way. In 70k range, I'd prefer Zma. I'll admit, I was really really torn between Zma and P220. It was Zma's inadeqaute horn, lights and spartan switchgear that put off. I thought though the engine would be more smooth in it, the overall package of P220 was more appealing. I know, some of you have changed these on their Zma but I won't get the time to do it later. Maybe if HH made some minor upgrades, I would've gone with it. Could you guys tell me if Bajaj use normal quality paint on these bikes(P200/P220). Would silver be a good choice if I want to keep the bike for 2-3 years?

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Leaving for Ladakh on Monday. Finally!	nikhilsc	The Tourer	88	06-22-2010 05:27 PM
[Photo Feature]: My Modded P220	Sparsh	Desi Bikes	68	10-05-2009 06:46 PM
P220, ZMA, Unicorn's Early Morning Ride to Lavasa(Lots of Pics)	Technocrat	Desi Bikes	2	09-30-2008 10:11 PM
Finally we are back!	isacM	Who Are You?	3	09-25-2008 07:40 AM

Register Now for FREE!
Are you registered on xBhp yet? If not, do so now and start participating to be able to share photos and experiences with other members. It will also enable to you have a chance to be a part of xBhp contests and roadtrips in the future! Username: Password: Confirm Password: E-Mail: Confirm E-Mail: Birthday: Image Verification I agree to forum rules