Choosing your first bike is never easy. It’s the most daunting job but fruitful as well. I was planning to take a bike which belongs to 150 cc segment or more with average of 45kmpl+. The selection of my bike took around a month doing spadework and test riding the bikes.
First of all I went through the various blogs/websites to shortlist few bikes that would ideally suit me and the area where I stay. I mean to say that I stay in hills so not every bike does well here. So the final bike list contained the following bikes: Unicorn, Hunk, CBZ extreme, Apache RTR 160, Fz-s/16 and Pulsar 150/180.
Stunner: I went to the Honda’s showroom to take the test drive of Unicorn as it has gained many appreciations from the owners. But to my surprise I was more fascinated towards Stunner than to the now-old looking Unicorn. So there was an immediate amendment in my list replacing unicorn with stunner. I rode the bike, downhill it was good but the bike was just not performing well climbing up the slope with a pillion rider. The bike was hence discarded.
Hunk/ CBZ Xtreme: Hero Honda is using the same engine of Honda in 2 bikes with different bodies.I decide to test ride the hunk. The bike was quite smooth and had a great sitting positon. Moreover it had a great stability even at high speeds and I was very comfy riding the beast. Though it only lacked some goodies like split grab rails, led tail lights, digi-console (but even its analogue console attracted me) On the other hand CBZ extreme does have the split grab rails, pilot lamps but its console is kind of unsymmetrical. And I didn’t like it personally. So Hunk was selected as one of the finalists.
Apache RTR 160: Its a great bike from TVS with all the goodies every one like to have say split grab rails, LED tail lights, digi-console, clip on handles, aluminium foot pegs etc.TVS has done a good job in designing the bike and providing it a segment in between 150-180cc to confuse the consumers.I hadn’t heard much about this bike nor seen many riding around here . But to my surprise this bike is a mini-monster. You give some throttle and there it goes vrooommm. Braking is simply awesome. The turning radius is small and hence it easily turns sharp curves.But the vibration factor is still there.
Apache vibrates between 65 to 75km speed. It was said by the showroom owner that the vibration was present only when the bike is new and gradually gets reduced with time. Though Apache has good pickup, it lacks power when riding uphill with a pillion rider. Moreover I was not really satisfied with the grip of the tyres.Even for person of height around 5’10’’ the bike looks like a toy ride.After so many –ives regarding bike I finalized it due to its speed, pickup, goodies and looks.
Fz-16/S: Yamaha is always good rather excellent in bike making. So I had to take the test drive of the newly launched bike. What I liked about the bike is the looks, engine and tubeless radial tyres. The bike is good in every aspect say technical or looks.The monocross suspension is great which helps on negotiating turns very easily. But what I didn’t like was the over decorated digital consol with too many colours and absence of disc brakes for the rear tires. Moreover I think at the price of FZ-16/s you may easily get any bike in 180 cc segment. This bike couldn’t make it to my list of final bikes.
Pulsar -150/180: I have been always attracted to Pulsar. May be the name itself does the trick. Anyways 150 cc segment is incomplete without Bajaj Pulsar. With the launch of UG4 this year the bike gets more sporty look.
Talking of the P-150 first it has every damn thing you want. The only problem with the pulsar is that its maintainence cost after a span of 4-5 years is very high. Looking at the pulsar 180 ug4 in the showroom I was totally attracted to it ,wanted it to take it home right away. Anyways the only –ive about P-180 is the absence of kick in it. No matter what the company says that the battery is maintainence free but at the temp of around 2-30 Celsius in the winters here ,the exclusive self-start option is not ideal for long term use.The weight of P-180 is more and turning radius is large. Not very ideal for the hills turning. Also the P-180 wouldn’t be able to satisfy my mileage criteria in hills. So out of the two bikes Idiced to go for Pulsar -150 as it has looks identical to Pulsar -180 but at the same time has better average with kick + self start option.
After long exahausting research on the bikes ,my list came down to 2 bikes in 150 cc segment. Hunk and Pulsar-150. So I again went to the showrooms to take a long test drive through the skinny streets and broad highway. I’ll like to thank the showroom guyz for allowing me for the same. The result of the test drive was that the confusion in me just amplified. So now I changed my criteria from core biking to looks and extra goodies and there it was PULSAR 150 was the clear winner. Now the question arouse regarding the choice of colours. The showroom owner said that he had around 100+ black, 50 blue, 20 red and two silvers…I went to the showroom once again to view the colours and finalized the misty grey silver. I changed the grab rails to split ones, like in P-180, and pasted a tank pad just to decor the bike.
Anyways I am very-very satisfied with my decision. Hoping that this information may be a source of help to you in any kind.
Final verdict for guys opting for a bike in 150-180 cc segment:
- Cost factor – Hunk
- Overall package – Pulsar 150/Apache RTR 160
- Core biking + looks – FZ 16/s
- Racing factor – Pulsar 180/Apache RTR 180
Regards
Sumant Sharma
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{ 31 comments… read them below or add one }
Great writing Sumant. Appreciated. You covered near about all bikes in 150CC segment, however you forget one of the best bike in Segment Suzuki GS 150 R.
Anyways congratulations for New Bike. ☺
good choice buddy
well you chose a great bike with ugly color. You should have try to tell about qualities of your bike rather than criticising others. Because people in different condition have different choices.
how can u say like that the person choose ugly colour?
pls. try 2 understand that colour choice is totally depend on individual
and one more thing; why any company will provide ungy colour 2 their customer.
Nice review Sumant. what about unicorn . please tell me any problems in unicorn because i have intrested to purchase HONDA UNICORN OR TVS APACHE RTR 160
Hey Sumant,
Nice article that you have written here. I also was in a similar dilemma as you were and I had gone in for the Hunk. The Pulsar is a fabulous bike, but the Hero Honda reliability factor and the somewhat exclusive tag of the Hunk ( you dont see to many of them on Indian roads)made me go for the bull. Needless to say, loving every part of it!
The only advantage of the Pulsar over the hunk is its digital console and the extra bit of electronic goodies add to it..!! But still, the analog concole in the Hunk looks macho and classi. If you check over a longer run, you would have been more satisfied with the Hunk.
Use a Hunk just for a day and get back to your pulsar. You’ll will definitely have a tough time with you bike.
@Rajan, its a good color. I like it.
whats the milage for your pulsar?
If you had delayed a bit you would have got the latest version :p
Hey,
I can’t believe you chose Pulsar 150 amongst the 150cc Bikes..I mean, there’s no comparison between Pulsar and Yamaha Fz-S..Pulsar sucks in every way with quality..Seriously, just because its cheap…-_- And moreover, you’ll know about your pulsar once you start using it..The cheap parts they use…I pity your choice, really..
hey nice article, good. but i would go 4 APACHE RTR 160 in 150 segment n APACHE RTR180 in 180 segement its a overall package of style,performance,handling n so. yes vibration is a only minor issue in this, but its far better than what ur having now, cos issues in pulsar is not as minor as in APACHE.The digital console in the pulsar is simply a crap stuff,like a toy.
one more thing, SUZUKI GS 150R.its a beautiful bike about whic u din go thru. This is a silent killer.Once it is on 6th gear u’l see the magic it can do.n the digital console in it is the sexiest in the country.
nyways congrats for ur new bike. Enjoi the ride.
Wear helmet & ride safe.
what was the mileage plz tel me this my email id shekarraj27@yahoo.in
a great review bro……..
i must say you should have tested cbz xtrem.
it’s a great bike with awsome luks and comes with a reliable brand name of hero honda.
i am a proud owner of cbz xtrem and not at all regreting it.
Good choice of bike n colour,i own the same colour pulsar180.But bajaj is launching a new version pulsar150 with a bit higher power,lesser mileage,hope it didn’t disappoint you.
pulser 180 is a good choice………ok dude
Good Writing !!
But wrong choice.
Hey Sumant,
Thanks for ur analysis.
Pulsar in silver looks awesome!
Where do you live man?? Looks like paradise…
I want to buy a second hand bike, and don’t know what to choose between Activa and Pulsar;
As both will be second hand, they will be more that 5 years old with my budget.
And you said ” The only problem with the pulsar is that its maintainence cost after a span of 4-5 years is very high ”
please contact me
Thanks
ok it is fine with 150cc+ segment. But tell me in 100-125cc which bike one is good.
Hi,
I have gone through ur writing. Nice to review all the bikes in this segment. But let me tell u P180 wouldn’t have disappointed u. P180 might have lesser milage than P150 but the thrill that u get is utmost. P180 comes with P220 chasis,suspension and p200 swingarm. In regards to stability it is the best among all the bikes. But mind it Pulsar need a hell lot of maintenance to keep it ok. a slight ignorance can cause issues like engine sound, low top end etc. But if u respect it it will give u what u want. And one thing those old bad points of pulsars are gone with UG4. Best stability, more of touring class rather than sprint. Discs are progressive doesnt lock at big times. Plastics are still and issue though but better than UG3 (1.2mm thicker gauge used now). I own both Apache 180 and p180. Performance wise RTR180 kills pulsars. But when it comes to long(very long) rides, P180 is the best. I took it to Khardung-La. It never disappoint me. Awsum power to weight ratio.Its not as flickable as RTRs so for city rides i choose RTR180 but for long rides my babe pulsar is there. I did some mods on it like installed oil cooler(p220s), changed sparks(NGK Irridium), installed splitfire, using Motul 300V, changed tires( front 3inch Michelin M45 and rear Michelin Sirac Tube type,best offroader tyre). U can also try it on P150 and feel the difference.
But to tell u something, if u are not a tourer or bike crazy like me then u should have gone for HH Hunk or even better Unicorn. And tell u something, old ZMA(not ZMA-r or ZMR)is still the best bike in India ever.
why u don’t bike pulsar 180 in black
I realy want pulsar 180cc ug4 and i am planning on buying 1 soon but i fell uncomfortable cuz it dont have kick start and if the batery is too low i want be able to start my bike. I dont live in cold area so weather dosent matter but if i run out of batrey and i cant start i will have to push it all they way to servicing center to recharge
not good. As this is my 1st bike in my life i am confused weather to go for 180cc ug3 or 180cc ug4 (yg4) looks cool and styliz and got lots good upgrade and in the other hand it lacks kick start so i am very confused for which 1 should i got for please reply TY.
sir,
dis is amazing, nice bike to 150cc+
plz send my email id price for red pulsar 150cc bike.& send large size image red pulsar.
Nice colour buddy….
I have Pulsar 180…
and I loved to be with “A Definitely Male”
Go for Pulser….
this colour is so nice then the black and red
Hi, guys currentaly i am driving RTR 160 apache , but not i am looking for change but in 150 cc bike only.My requirement only like with good milage and powerfull engine with good pickup, can any body suggest me a bike……..