2009 Bajaj Pulsar 220 Discussion Thread - First Ride Impression at Post No. 514

[Devilpulsarian]

While tyres do play an important part in handling, its not the be all and end all of it. Frame, suspension are the other important things that come into picture when talking about handling.

Tyres seem to have improved in the newer iteration of the 220 and hence offer much more confidence than before.

Suspension seems to have been tweaked and made stiffer and hence slight improvement even there.

Frame still remains the same and so the backbone of the handling department is still weak.

I agree with Mithun about the point that Mags are going overboard and constantly comparing it with the "Yamaha". To achieve what Yamaha has done with the handling of the R15 will still take Bajaj a few years to catch up (if it ever does!).

But, the fact remains that the newer iteration of the 220 handles a lot better than its older sibling, ofcourse it would be stupid to say it handles better than the 15. But, it has to be tested by people and not mags on the road and track to really feel if there has been any significant improvement.

My gut feeling says that, while there have been multi-level improvements from tyres, suspension to rake angle of the front forks which definitely are boosting one's confidence while taking a corner. The superior feel of the 15's around a corner is something that would not comeby with these minor changes.

So very well put......!

[rossi_god]

Boy 'o' Boy, I now have a hugeeee grin on my face all of a sudden. I sold my 220 around 2 months back and was waiting for a good enough bike to go for. Tested R15, RTR and even FZ for that matter but none could strike the note as well as my previous babe did.

Heard about this carbbed 220 and was disappointed immediately but i went to Bajaj people and test rode it and yes i have to admit this that i was certainly impressed.

Having sold my 220 earlier, i'll be going for this baby ASAP. Can't wait anymore...got same butterflies in my stomach as i had in august 2006 wen 220 got launched.

Don't know bout others...but this is with me that whenever i am about to buy a bike...i start having dreams of performing wheelies and stoppies on it (I know it sounds stupid...bt can't help)

Wish me luck brothers....coz m running short on 10K , tht moment i have them i am going in for the "F"

@MG: wat say MG, wud u be going for the new 220?

[Priyatam]

Boy 'o' Boy, I now have a hugeeee grin on my face all of a sudden. I sold my 220 around 2 months back and was waiting for a good enough bike to go for. Tested R15, RTR and even FZ for that matter but none could strike the note as well as my previous babe did.

Heard about this carbbed 220 and was disappointed immediately but i went to Bajaj people and test rode it and yes i have to admit this that i was certainly impressed.

Having sold my 220 earlier, i'll be going for this baby ASAP. Can't wait anymore...got same butterflies in my stomach as i had in august 2006 wen 220 got launched.

Don't know bout others...but this is with me that whenever i am about to buy a bike...i start having dreams of performing wheelies and stoppies on it (I know it sounds stupid...bt can't help)

Wish me luck brothers....coz m running short on 10K , tht moment i have them i am going in for the "F"

@MG: wat say MG, wud u be going for the new 220?

All the best brother. Go get the "F" and fly!

[vipin_s]

While tyres do play an important part in handling, its not the be all and end all of it. Frame, suspension are the other important things that come into picture when talking about handling.

Tyres seem to have improved in the newer iteration of the 220 and hence offer much more confidence than before.

Suspension seems to have been tweaked and made stiffer and hence slight improvement even there.

Frame still remains the same and so the backbone of the handling department is still weak.

I agree with Mithun about the point that Mags are going overboard and constantly comparing it with the "Yamaha". To achieve what Yamaha has done with the handling of the R15 will still take Bajaj a few years to catch up (if it ever does!).

But, the fact remains that the newer iteration of the 220 handles a lot better than its older sibling, ofcourse it would be stupid to say it handles better than the 15. But, it has to be tested by people and not mags on the road and track to really feel if there has been any significant improvement.

My gut feeling says that, while there have been multi-level improvements from tyres, suspension to rake angle of the front forks which definitely are boosting one's confidence while taking a corner. The superior feel of the 15's around a corner is something that would not comeby with these minor changes.

@praful : Let's forgive Adil and other experts !! All your points are valid and I hope Bajaj takes every point seriously and improve upon shortcomings.

[Sudharshaninu]

Boy 'o' Boy, I now have a hugeeee grin on my face all of a sudden. I sold my 220 around 2 months back and was waiting for a good enough bike to go for. Tested R15, RTR and even FZ for that matter but none could strike the note as well as my previous babe did.

Heard about this carbbed 220 and was disappointed immediately but i went to Bajaj people and test rode it and yes i have to admit this that i was certainly impressed.

Having sold my 220 earlier, i'll be going for this baby ASAP. Can't wait anymore...got same butterflies in my stomach as i had in august 2006 wen 220 got launched.

Don't know bout others...but this is with me that whenever i am about to buy a bike...i start having dreams of performing wheelies and stoppies on it (I know it sounds stupid...bt can't help)

Wish me luck brothers....coz m running short on 10K , tht moment i have them i am going in for the "F"

@MG: wat say MG, wud u be going for the new 220?

everyone wanna lay hands on the new beast

why u sold ur old 220fi ... its really good right ??? any issues ???


anyways good luck bro :-) happy ride

All the best brother. Go get the "F" and fly!

whats that "F" ???? i am confused ???

[payeng]

Boy 'o' Boy, I now have a hugeeee grin on my face all of a sudden. I sold my 220 around 2 months back and was waiting for a good enough bike to go for. Tested R15, RTR and even FZ for that matter but none could strike the note as well as my previous babe did.

Heard about this carbbed 220 and was disappointed immediately but i went to Bajaj people and test rode it and yes i have to admit this that i was certainly impressed.

Having sold my 220 earlier, i'll be going for this baby ASAP. Can't wait anymore...got same butterflies in my stomach as i had in august 2006 wen 220 got launched.

Don't know bout others...but this is with me that whenever i am about to buy a bike...i start having dreams of performing wheelies and stoppies on it (I know it sounds stupid...bt can't help)

Wish me luck brothers....coz m running short on 10K , tht moment i have them i am going in for the "F"

@MG: wat say MG, wud u be going for the new 220?

From one P220 to another..??
How about waiting for the Ninja instead..??

Hey Payeng,there is this video which has the subtitles for the soundtrack!

YouTube - Pulsar 220 new ad - with lyrics

Thanks a lot bro... by the way you just happened to gave us the link to what looks like Bajaj Auto's You Tube Channel..!! Cool..!!

[BANDHAV]

You have a point, if i would have been in his sitaution i would have preferred to wait for ninja.

Do you have any idea that when it will be launched?

[ravi@17bhp]

Just spotted a spanking red P220 DTS-i, near KPHB. Of course, just looked like a P220 DTS-FI.

The ad is really not up to mark, in fact shocked to see that. Showing stealing is really bad.

[antz.bin]

Not Road Legal in Maharashtra yet

I had gone over to PBK Nasik for a test ride...

They cud'nt get me 1, it seems it is not yet RTO approved in Nasik (Myabe maharashtra). I could'nt understand just 1 thing, if there are so few changes in the new 1, why does it take more than 2 weeks to get it approved from RTO. I finally had a chance to upgrade from my 6 yr 1 day old Caliber 115.. looks like i ll hav to wait some more..

Hopefully i will be booking 1 as soon as they get me a test ride..

Wish me luck.

P.S.: OTR Nasik, P220 costs Rs.78,145. Somebody earlier mentioned a Nasik OTR around 81k(Completely not true).

[vipin_s]

I am very curious to know what is this red-tapism and bad delays ?

Did P220 DTSFi owners faced this problem ?

Whose fault is this ? RTO ? Bajaj ? Dealer ?

Some experienced members please throw some light ??

[arunmur]

Any idea as to what carb this bike carries?

[ken cool]

You have a point, if i would have been in his sitaution i would have preferred to wait for ninja.

Do you have any idea that when it will be launched?

YOU are asking this!!!

[Samy]

I had gone over to PBK Nasik for a test ride...

They cud'nt get me 1, it seems it is not yet RTO approved in Nasik (Myabe maharashtra). I could'nt understand just 1 thing, if there are so few changes in the new 1, why does it take more than 2 weeks to get it approved from RTO. I finally had a chance to upgrade from my 6 yr 1 day old Caliber 115.. looks like i ll hav to wait some more..

Hopefully i will be booking 1 as soon as they get me a test ride..

Wish me luck.

P.S.: OTR Nasik, P220 costs Rs.78,145. Somebody earlier mentioned a Nasik OTR around 81k(Completely not true).

Good Luck. Yup...it's not yet cleared from Maharastra RTO. I heard same thing from the PBK, Pune.

This wait needs to end soon....I don't wanna ride a TVS Scooty anymore.

[MG]

P.S.: OTR Nasik, P220 costs Rs.78,145. Somebody earlier mentioned a Nasik OTR around 81k(Completely not true).

Thanks for the correction.I posted it as some other member posted Nashik price as 82K.Nashik I guess doesn't have any PBK and hence the delay.

[BANDHAV]

^^Nashik do have a probiking outlet, its a Company owned/dealer operated facility.