Bajaj Pulsar 180 DTSi 2006. Old v/s New.

Riding the new Pulsar, is an interesting experience after having ridden the older model just before that. There are some important and interesting cosmetic changes which I’ll come to later. But right now, lets talk about the more important bits which will surely add to the riding experience a lot more.

The gearbox – silken smooth. Knife thru hot butter, call it what you will, but its the slickest gearbox I have seen. And after having ridden the earlier Pulsars you’d be forgiven for thinking Bajaj stole someone else’s gearbox! Shifts are very clean, precise. No judders, false neutrals.

Power delivery is very linear, although this author felt that Power wasnt coming with the hurry that one is used to on the older Pulsar – maybe it was just need for running-in on the test bike.

The engine has, I’m sorry to note, a very weak note(no pun intended). You can hardly hear it at times – which can be good sometimes, but wouldn’t you wanna hear your baby screaming as you rev it up? I sure would!

The suspension seemed better. The bike’s slightly heavier – about 4 kilos or so which might have helped matters just a wee bit.

Looks. The new fairing looks all the more aggressive. The tail-light is very unique, but looks kinda wimpy, and if my experience is any guide, one cant really see it, if one’s in a taller vehicle. The illumination of the tail lamps is lovely.

The digital speedo looks great with orange backlight, but unfortunately the idiots that they are, folks at Khivraj have disconnected the speedo cable – but NOT the rev-counter cable. So one could see the revs going up, but nothing on the very good-looking dash!

On the whole, a better bike indeed, although one hopes the note of the older(2005) model can either be retained or re-introduced on this model!

Read the long term review of the 2005 180 DTSi.

Update: The Pulsar 200 DTSi is reviewed here