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The Bajaj Pulsar 135LS DTS-i Review and ride report by xBhp. Get the specs, price, and photos.
Text: Niranjanvaidya
INTRODUCTIONDESIGN AND ENGINEERINGENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONGear Speed (KMPH)*All speeds as indicated on the speedometer.
Another interesting fact is that the engine is highly tractable. It potters down to almost idle without cutting off. Check the table below for what the LS did in 5th gear at various RPM
RPM Speed (KMPH)*RIDE, HANDLING AND DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR
This happens to be my favorite part to write about. The LS was subjected to the test track with speeds that one would normally associate with the race tracks. Hard pulling in each gear and faster entry speeds in corners seemed like the correct recipe for the LS.
I just need to emphasize the fun factor involved here. The suspension is extremely well sorted; not too hard nor softly sprung, just right for me. I weigh around 78 kilos and the LS seemed perfectly balanced for me. Not to mention the weight savings (almost 21 kilos lighter than the Pulsar 150 DTS-i). The LS with its light weight and well sorted out suspension is absolute fun to spot corners and makes you think that you are the next Casey Stoner. The new chassis is spot on and it is difficult to induce any misbehavior. Mid corner line corrections are a breeze and the feedback from both the ends is excellent.
There are a few areas that need a mention though; for starters, the front end is extremely light and nimble, thanks to the new chassis, steering geometry and seating position. The seating position is a bit biased towards the commuter mode and hence the footpegs are forward biased. With the kind of handlebar-seat-footpeg relation, the resultant seating position takes off all the weight off the front end. This is not very concerning to the average, everyday commuter but for serious cornering, I would love to see the footpegs being a bit rearset and the handlebar a bit low.
The handling is so inspiring that I found myself taking some of the slower corners at progressively higher speeds. The front brake provides a lot of feedback although the rear did not inspire a lot of confidence. Another thing that I noticed is how less the turning radius is, the bike being extremely small turns comfortably in a tight circle. Again, this is a boon for stranded motorcyclists.
Summing it up for this section, I would rate the LS a hefty 9 out of 10 for handling. At the expense of sounding insane, please Bajaj, provide some optional rearsets for this bike. This is so much fun to ride; a fact shared by other auto journalists there as well.
Some of the other points that I scribbled during the review
1. The kick starter is extremely effortless.
2. Footpegs need to be folded like on a CBZ to allow the bike to be kick started
3. Two up, a cruising speed of anything between 70-90 is comfortable
4. Mirrors are clear at all speeds but seem to be placed a bit closer to the body resulting in a more than usual movement for the eye.
5. Weld marks on the swingarm and the hugger bracket can be a visual turn off to an otherwise beautifully finished bike.
6. Rear brake is adequate while the front is more than average.
7. The paint and the matt black surfaces are of a high quality.
8. Panel gaps are consistent and there are no vibes from any panel
9. Clutch is super light and will be a boon in the traffic.
10. Engine is a lot more refined and vibe free.
11. Placement of the starter motor is behind the cylinder; a first time for a Pulsar
12. The LS exhibits typical Pulsar characteristics in terms of power and sound at high revs, although, it feels and sounds a lot more refined.
13. Fuel tank capacity is 8 liters with a 2.5 liter reserve. A fuel tap has been provided on the left.
14. The rear tyre hugger does not look that offensive in flesh and one gets used to it.
15. Tubeless tyres would have been a great offering
16. We could not measure the fuel efficiency but going by the fuel indicator after our test for the entire day, it looks like it will meet the committed figures.
17. Keeping into mind the commuter pitch, a heel toe shifter would be better.
18. At 51K Ex Showroom Delhi, this looks a good deal.
Final WordsMore pictures and one more review by me will be posted very soon...
Text: Niranjanvaidya
INTRODUCTIONDESIGN AND ENGINEERINGENGINE AND TRANSMISSIONGear Speed (KMPH)*All speeds as indicated on the speedometer.
Another interesting fact is that the engine is highly tractable. It potters down to almost idle without cutting off. Check the table below for what the LS did in 5th gear at various RPM
RPM Speed (KMPH)*RIDE, HANDLING AND DYNAMIC BEHAVIOUR
This happens to be my favorite part to write about. The LS was subjected to the test track with speeds that one would normally associate with the race tracks. Hard pulling in each gear and faster entry speeds in corners seemed like the correct recipe for the LS.
I just need to emphasize the fun factor involved here. The suspension is extremely well sorted; not too hard nor softly sprung, just right for me. I weigh around 78 kilos and the LS seemed perfectly balanced for me. Not to mention the weight savings (almost 21 kilos lighter than the Pulsar 150 DTS-i). The LS with its light weight and well sorted out suspension is absolute fun to spot corners and makes you think that you are the next Casey Stoner. The new chassis is spot on and it is difficult to induce any misbehavior. Mid corner line corrections are a breeze and the feedback from both the ends is excellent.
There are a few areas that need a mention though; for starters, the front end is extremely light and nimble, thanks to the new chassis, steering geometry and seating position. The seating position is a bit biased towards the commuter mode and hence the footpegs are forward biased. With the kind of handlebar-seat-footpeg relation, the resultant seating position takes off all the weight off the front end. This is not very concerning to the average, everyday commuter but for serious cornering, I would love to see the footpegs being a bit rearset and the handlebar a bit low.
The handling is so inspiring that I found myself taking some of the slower corners at progressively higher speeds. The front brake provides a lot of feedback although the rear did not inspire a lot of confidence. Another thing that I noticed is how less the turning radius is, the bike being extremely small turns comfortably in a tight circle. Again, this is a boon for stranded motorcyclists.
Summing it up for this section, I would rate the LS a hefty 9 out of 10 for handling. At the expense of sounding insane, please Bajaj, provide some optional rearsets for this bike. This is so much fun to ride; a fact shared by other auto journalists there as well.
Some of the other points that I scribbled during the review
1. The kick starter is extremely effortless.
2. Footpegs need to be folded like on a CBZ to allow the bike to be kick started
3. Two up, a cruising speed of anything between 70-90 is comfortable
4. Mirrors are clear at all speeds but seem to be placed a bit closer to the body resulting in a more than usual movement for the eye.
5. Weld marks on the swingarm and the hugger bracket can be a visual turn off to an otherwise beautifully finished bike.
6. Rear brake is adequate while the front is more than average.
7. The paint and the matt black surfaces are of a high quality.
8. Panel gaps are consistent and there are no vibes from any panel
9. Clutch is super light and will be a boon in the traffic.
10. Engine is a lot more refined and vibe free.
11. Placement of the starter motor is behind the cylinder; a first time for a Pulsar
12. The LS exhibits typical Pulsar characteristics in terms of power and sound at high revs, although, it feels and sounds a lot more refined.
13. Fuel tank capacity is 8 liters with a 2.5 liter reserve. A fuel tap has been provided on the left.
14. The rear tyre hugger does not look that offensive in flesh and one gets used to it.
15. Tubeless tyres would have been a great offering
16. We could not measure the fuel efficiency but going by the fuel indicator after our test for the entire day, it looks like it will meet the committed figures.
17. Keeping into mind the commuter pitch, a heel toe shifter would be better.
18. At 51K Ex Showroom Delhi, this looks a good deal.
Final WordsMore pictures and one more review by me will be posted very soon...
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