My name is Aditya Gupta and I live in New Delhi . I am 19 years old and currently perusing B.Tech in computer science from IP University. Like all other teenager’s I always wanted a two wheeler of my own so my father bought a Hero Honda Pleasure in 2007 for me but he himself knew that I will not stop till I get a good bike for myself as I had some of his genes ( My father used to be an avid biker himself and he owned a Bullet and the legendary Yamaha Rx100 ) . I started hunting for my first bike after my father’s approval in November 2009 . All I wanted was performance so I had initially short listed TVS Apache RTR 180 , Yamaha R15 and Bajaj Pulsar 180 . I had not consider Pulsar 220 DTS-I as I thought that that the bike would be too big for me . ( My height is around 5’7 and I weigh 70 kg ) .
I liked the Bajaj Pulsar 180 since it delivered good performance and got those thicker rear tires , clip-ons and many more goodies borrowed from it’s bigger sibling. Considering the TVS Apache RTR 180 the bike had great accelaration , mean riding posture and good looks . Additionally I loved the 0-60 timer and top speed recorder, both these things just compel you to ride fast to get the best timing so that you can pull out ur collar in front of your friends .
About the Yamaha R15, it’s the most advanced sports bike in India, Liquid cooled engine , monoshock suspension , DAISIL cylinder etc. justify its price tag of over 1lakh rupees . It was the only bike that came closest to Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-I in terms of performance . With all this oscillating in my mind, I went to the Bajaj showroom for a test drive of Pulsar 180 and saw a black Pulsar 220 DTS-I standing there . I just loved the big looks and the demonic front fairing and as soon as I sat on it , I knew that this is the bike i should go for no matter what . So, after convincing my father I finally booked a black Pulsar 220 on 12th January and rode it home on 14th January . After over two months of ownership I am ready to write about my experience .
LOOKS: This can vary from person to person but I just love how the Pulsar 220 looks . You can love it or hate it but you can’t ignore it on roads . The thick rear tire add muscle to the bike and black clip-ons are eye catching too . And regarding the other visual treats like half naked chain cover , step up seats , split grab rails , toe shifter etc , they have become quite common in performance bikes in India but still a treat . Heads turn in your direction automatically and this can be really embarrassing at times . I also got the white radium stripes on my bike after seeing them on my friend’s RTR . The projector headlamps provide great illumination and make you the king of roads at night with daylight like illumination.
PERFORMANCE: This is where the men stand out from the boys . The performance is great and the adrenaline rush the bike gives you is just awesome ( trust me, you have to ride it to believe it ). The bike literally flies and snaps the 60kmph mark in mere 4 seconds flat. The highest speed I have taken her to is 120kmph ( at 10k rpm in 4th gear ) , I wanted to test her limits but decided against it as the bike is still in run-in period . The gearbox is very smooth ( much better than RTR 180’s ) . The engine grunt is not superbikish like RTR’s but changes to a fantastic sound over 6k rpm . The pickup really slaps the helmet towards your face hard . The bike can also perform really well in traffic because of its good low end torque but it takes a bit of getting used to it . And regarding the weight it simply vanishes into thin air when you are riding the bike.
BRAKING: The braking is also good with dual disc’s in front and rear. The front disc brakes are just fantastic and can stop you instantly whereas the rear disc brakes don’t have that much bite ( although purposely I used only rear brakes for a couple of days and their bite increased significantly , very much comparable to the front brakes ). In some time with enough practice I found out how to use both brakes to provide maximum braking power without getting the tires locked . Although couple of times I had the tires locked under hard braking but the soft compound beauties didn’t let me down , but I also have to admit that TVS Apache RTR and Yamaha R15 are better than Pulsar 220 in braking department .
TYPICAL PULSARIAN NIGGLES?: Over the last two months of my ownership I have done over 1500 kms and have not observed any niggles . The first lot of Pulsar 220′s had many problems like faulty CDI , stalling , auto choke not working fine , cold morning starts etc. but it seems that Bajaj have resolved all these issues in the successive lots . Also till date, I have not observed any fairing vibrations at any rpm ( I have taken her to 11k rpm ) , But even if the niggles arise I will learn to live with it as I love my bike too much .
Reason’s for not choosing Yamaha R15 or TVS Apache RTR180:
I rode my friend’s RTR 180 and found that the gearbox was not that great . Also the bike was vibrating whenever I took her over 50kmph . These two things were enough to put me off from the RTR’s . But the Yamaha R15 has nothing that one can complain about , the engine is smooth and doesn’t become harsh even after years . Also the name Yamaha answers many questions . But the bike seemed small when viewed from the front or back ( Although from the sides it’s the best looking Indian bike) . Also I was getting the same or even better level of performance for 30,000 less . So , I dropped R15 from my list . That said , I really respect the Yamaha R15 because it has brought so many technologies in the Indian biking scenario . Apologize for the Hero Honda Karizma fan’s as I didn’t consider ZMR as it looked bulky , and also was below par in performance when compared to Pulsar 220 or Yamaha R15 , so it got eliminated from the list.
- Aditya Gupta
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{ 47 comments… read them below or add one }
great choice..good review.
You know what I like about this review?
Unlike biased way others have written about their stallions, this guy “Aditya Gupta” has also stated negative aspects and accepted the fact. He has also talked so much about other bikes.
Great review and even greater humility!!! Hats-off, Aditya. And, of course, Congrats on your new ride…
Pulsar Maniacs – The Ultimate showdown between “PULSAR MANIACS” and “BEOY FUNK” clans. Check out this cool music video with awesome bike stunts using Bajaj Pulsar Bikes by Pulsar Maniacs. http://bit.ly/myp135
nice man..even i m planning to buy a p220 or p180..i need to see the mileage as well..how much mileage does ur p220 give??
nice review ,,
is it an apache 180 in the last pic?
clearly depicts pulsar is more a macho one..
You should have buyed R15 as u wont regret after many years as u may do after few months with ur P220. R15 can be said as a life time investment.
Nice review. The pictures certainly doesn’t do justice to this beast.
@Aditya
Nice review buddy. The auto choke problems that you have mentioned about in some bikes must have all been the initial models the fuel injectors, getting rid of which helped Bajaj take care of these issues, reduce cost by ~14K making it a more value for money bike, and also increased max power output by around 2BHP or so. Also generally the front brakes are more powerful. My Apache RTR 180 too has dual discs and 60% of the braking power comes only from the front brakes and infact there is an instruction in the manual which says not using front brakes at all will lead to to improper braking due to this reason. I was thinking that since there was engine braking which is applied to the rear wheel alone the rear brake was a always manufactured a little less powerful. But even in the superbikes that come with a slipper clutch to avoid engine braking effects the front brake is more powerful. I don’t know why. Can someone explain?
vikhyat
i am currently getting little over 40 kmpl but it is bound to come down to about 35 eventually .
looks like, Yamaha fanboy Joe has spend his entire life with his R15 which was launched one and half years ago!!
I agree with Joe…
The singular thing which lacks in Bajaj bikes generally is durability. But with so less cost, one can only expect so much…
Thanks Aditya.I am also 19 and doing B.tech. Can you please tell the on-road price of this bike as I have to buy a bike in next 2 weeks.Probably RTR 180(P220 maybe).As my height is 5’6″ and weigh mere 55 Kg I need to know more about the P220 acc to my needs,otherwise RTR is shortlisted.
Me 52kg and 5.4” own p220. Just superb experience with the bike cost is 80k in Chandigarh
Nice review
You penned down it directly from the heart
Their was no biased or decorated stuffs
- wishes
Madhu
@aditya..
i thnk 40 is enough..hw r ur driving conditions..i mean u drive it fast or at normal speed?
cauz my p150 gives me 50-55..by driving it fast.,
Cheers for u Mr.Gupta…………..thers nothing else to say..!!
vikhyat
i ride normally and have followed the run in instructions almost perfectly( you cant stop yourself when you see an open strech of road though) . i change gears at about 3.5k rpm , that is the trick maybe .
Shaantaanhsu Mathur
dont worry about the weight and height , i also had the same issues but as soon as i took a test ride they all vanished .
buy an RTR if you are comfortable with vibes and gearbox , it has awesome breaks and is a true traffic cutter , else buy a P220 for performance although moving though traffic will be a bit tough because of weight and big turning radius . But please dont rule out the P220 just because you think it won’t suit your physique .i bought it for 76,4XX on road .
ohh..u change gear at 3.5 k..dats too less..i chng it normally at about 6-7 k..
i still wonder y ur dad bought u HH pleasure which is meant only for girls considering the fact that ur dad is a biker..
hey. i heard that there is a problem with p220 rear disc brakes, it screech every time you foot the rear break..and the brake makes some squizing noise.. thus not so efficient braking of it.
And the other drawback being it’s mileage.. just 25 !!
Are u having similiar problem??
Vikhyat
i change them at 3.5 -4k rpm because the bike is stil in run in condition . after 2000 kms , i will open her up gradually .
Ashish
milage – getting little over 40
no sound from my rear disks .
@aditya
but i suppose in run in period u shld nt go above 60km/hr
shouldnt go over 65 but their is not 1 sane pulsar owner who can drive her pulsar below 65 all the time till 2000 kms . what disturbs the engine is when you keep driving at over run in conditions for a long time . sudden burst , sometime though dont hurt the bike .
ohh..ya u r right..
bt it affects tge engine’s performance n mileage too..
I bought dis pulsar 220-s.im not at all happy wid it has a lot of problems. The engine’s different in comparsn wid other 220′s.The rpm after 4 becomes harsh and itz bit rough comparsn wid other byk.
P180 is better den 220-s.i rode the 180.i felt it better den my byk.
I have gone through with lots of comments and Reviews, and find it 70-30 (Good-Bad), well its time to find the truth as I love Pulsar 220 dtsi, so its better to give it try and own one, and experience the truth…
Thanks Aditya….
to Vikram.For almost all cars(leave old models)and bikes,front brakes are designed to ‘bite’ more than rears.This is becoz while braking,the whole weight of the thing(including the rider )will lean forward shifting its centre of gravity.In effect, more weight will be put on front wheels and less on rear wheels.If equal braking force is applied in this situation,front wheel will continue to roll due to more(weight)force, whereas rears will lockup resulting in a skid.So for front more braking force is required and hence disc brakes instead against drums or even bigger discs(31cm dual discs in front against 22cm single disc in YZF R1) are used.
I owned my hero honda splendor, tis may i booked n brought home a blue 220 Dtsi F, the bike
gives stunning perfomance, nice sound, stylish headlamps n most of all super braking, its alloys r
mag, n 45km mileage it gives, all the eyes on road wil be on it, it roars as a lion in traffic. most
fascinating in highways it overtakes faster than we think, it wont let us down 4 sure, n all 4 an
onroad price of 84,198rs, it has power, mileage n 144kmph speed (claimed) which makes it the
Fastest indian in this single cylinder segment.
I owned my hero honda splendor, tis may i booked n brought home a blue 220 Dtsi F, the bike gives stunning perfomance, nice sound, stylish headlamps n most of all super braking, its alloys r mag, n 45km mileage it gives, all the eyes on road wil be on it, it roars as a lion in traffic. most fascinating in highways it overtakes faster than we think, it wont let us down 4 sure, n all 4 an onroad price of 84,198rs, it has power, mileage n 144kmph speed(claimed) which makes it the
Fastest indian in this single cylinder segment.
hi i am confused b/w pulsar 180cc & 220cc s new version about d meliage & performance pls help me out
hey fella’s
I’m Johnny from Bangalore. I just got back home after paying close to rs 90,000 for a Black pulsar 220 Dtsi. It’s my first bike, I own a modified santro which gives only 10 mileage and with the increased fuel costs I cant drive it around town without spending alot on fuel. So, I decided to buy India’s fastest production bike the home made Bajaj Pulsar. I have a couple of queries to which I hope the experts can help me with.
1. Is it ok to install k&n air filter during run-in period or must I wait for a few months?
2. Is it alright if I put philips HID white light, I felt it would look brilliant coming out of the projector lamps, will there be any battery, relay issues???
Thanks alot guys. Ride on!!!
Hey dude! Mine is also the same story!
I went to book a Pulsar 180 and i aw the Bajaj Pulsar 220 DTS-i. LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT!!!! i test drove it and convinced my father to buy it and on October 7th 09, i booked it and got it on October 11th. The only problem i have is i don’t have a DL yet coz am 17
….. i have k&n filters installed and the sound of it is sexy!!! i have reched 149kmph on SH-17 on a downhill part of the road.. In racing position, the bike has no vibrations at all!
… but i handle my bike like anything!!
i have done 60 degree curves at 125kmph… i bent until d center stand touched d road!!! Am 5’10” and weigh only 53 kgs
Does fitting a K&N Air Filter and NGK Iridium Spark Plugs cause any difference to the acceleration and Top Speed of the Bajaj P220 DTSi? Does the carburettor require to be rejetted for using a K&N? Kindly reply to my query……….Thanks
Hello Aditya,
I am certainly going to purchase Pulsar 220-S for myself next week. I want it for my day-to-day purpose and also enjoy going for long trips on weekends with my friends. I want to know your view of how Pulsar 220-S is.? I look at only power and also earlier I used to ride my Dad’s Yezdi Classic 250cc. The power of 220-S with 21.04bhp excites me alot. What do U say Aditya? I hope I will be making a wise decision in purchasing Pulsar 220-S.
Regards,
Shekhar Ghosh
@Aditya Why are u doubtful regarding the fuel consumption of your bike dropping down to 35kmpl….its bound to happen if you drive it rough…and as far i know a dtsi mill won’t drop its efficiency if its taken good care of and if u drive it well in its initial running it period….after the 1st service though they lean out the mixture and the fuel efficiency increases..
Hi friends, will anyone of p220 find its milage below 30 km/ltr, some ppl told me that bikes milage is lessar then 30 km/ltr in city. is it true. plz help me to make desision. thanks in advance.
Hi friends, will anyone of p220 dts-fi owner find its milage below 30 km/ltr, some ppl told me that bikes milage is lessar then 30 km/ltr in city. Is it true. plzhelp me to make desision. thanks inadvance.Reply
@Wasim firstly i would like to clarify that the DTS-Fi variant of the P220 has been discontinued with a newer improved DTS-i variant only last year.
Talking about the bikes city mileage I can assure you that even in the running in stage the bike does not give less than 30kmpl in city driving conditions(If handled properly). After the running in(post 2000kms ;1st service) though the mileage may shoot up to 40kmpl if the engine is kept to a good tune and if you are not in the habit of suddenly starting the vehicle at high throttle.
@ nilay, thnx for ur rply. Now finaly i decided to go 4 220, to belong with definatly male family.. I also thnkful 4 the site n owner of the site bikeadvice.in 4 ther valuable reviews to make decison of its readr to spend ther money on the right bike. Plz don’t mind 4 gramaticl mistakes. Thanx a lot again.
I have gone through with lots of comments and Reviews, and now i m a proud owner of a black pulsar 220 dtsi.
Power, smoothness, sound, braking and ofcorce headlights are really awsome. with 220 cc and 21 bhp the bike has a good milage. i m getting ~40 or 40 according to driving condition in city drive. bikes balancing is also good, u never feel unsafe while u drive the bike fast n cutting the bike in traffic. the pracious thing of bike is all the eyes on u when u r in road along with ur bike. i have done 800km in odomtr n 115km/hr highspeed in 5th gear but did not found any vibration in fairing or anyother part. sorry 4 the poor english but i think anyone who confused with 220′s performence will undestand what i want to say.
THANKS AND SAFE RIDE.
thanks for the review……..good one…….
even im taking P220F for almost the same reasons tat you have mentioned here…reading the review makes me much more confident in buying the bike….
I will be getting it from Gurgaon since i’l get Rs.4000-5000 discount in tax in haryana registration
So what will be the new P220F’s mileage ,
and what are the accessories tat we will get along with it(tat we shud make sure tat shud be ter)???
Im getting the bike for Rs.80,194 (on road) -full fairing from Bajaj pro biking,iffco chowk..
@aditya: What an review yar……………. I liked your every single line bcoz you mentioned both pros & cons of all the bikes…..nice one dude !!! but i m not comfortable with the p 220 bcoz of its weight & low mileage…..ofcourse r15 is the best but its price in lakhs makes it difficult to buy….karizma is bulky & seriously i dnt like it…….I m 19 years old and soon goin to buy apache 160……I like it as its cornering is best + stylish looks and braking also is admirable………
@Adiyta
Hiiiii,actually a good review…this will help me to make a decision…..actually i m confused between Karizma r and pulsar 220…which one sholud i buy…and does performance of p220 degrades compared to karizma r in terms of average and engine noise….
hi guys im 6’1″ tall , 76 kgs and 18 years of age….i took test drive of both karizma and the p220.the p220 is really so gr8…its realy the fastest bik in india an i hav ordered it,,,
Gr8 review aadi
pulsar 220 is a superb bike
it’s god
although i doesn’t own it bt love it like anything
also i m tryin to convince my father 4 d same
can u tell me d mileage of d king plz…
Nice review dude…
I also own a red 220F.
The mileage is around 40 (min 35 and max 45) in city(pune) driving.
I have had this bike for about 2.5 months and have rode for 2100 kms.
The only issues that I have with it are:
1) Rear brake is weak.
2) The lights from the headlights are directed upwards.
3) The MRF Zapper tires skid when braking hard.
apart from these…. the bike is perfect and I LOVE IT.
me…….my bike……..open road………….and Nothing Else Matters….