FIRST RIDE : BAJAJ PULSAR DTS FI

A brief outing on the all-new Pulsar DTS-Fi leaves us hyperventilating and in vascular shock. Resuscitation, anyone?

We first sighted Bajaj’s new Pulsar DTS-Fi at the Auto Expo in January this year. It certainly looked smart, but there has to be more to any motorcycle than simply style to make it work. Little did we know just how much more of a punch this Bajaj packs. Pulsar lineage is recognisable in the new bike, despite its sportier, refreshed look.
The DTS-Fi isn’t intimidating, too heavy or bulky for a 220cc bike. Its front fairing is larger than the older Pulsar, packs better weather protection and mounts a pair of attractive and angular mirrors. The fairing additionally supports a unique brace of vertically stacked headlights, which offer chaste white light. We haven’t yet taken the DTS-Fi out at night, but the twin 55W projector low beam and 70mm parabolic high beam assemblies scream potency — with Pulsar trademark twin pilot lights also offering white illumination.

The switchgear on the Pulsar DTS-Fi is backlit and contact-free. Positive to the touch, they go a step further, offering self-cancelling turn indicators.
Instruments on the new Pulsar intelligently vary intensity to offer bright visibility during daytime and a more subdued, less obtrusive effect at night. Speed can be read off an electronic speedometer, which also employs a contact-free digital pick-up. The handsome, large rev counter is analogue and rider-friendly. Meanwhile, the array of warning lamps is astonishing — all those little bulbs have been replaced by LEDs and you get a fuel gauge with reserve warning flasher, twin tripmeters, air filter choked, battery low, oil low, fuel low, engine redline flasher and engine overheating/malfunction lights, apart from the usual neutral, indicator and high beam indicators. And you would do well to not lose your new Pulsar’s pilfer-proof keys; these are virtually non-duplicable.

Thoughtfully, there’s a tank pad on this Pulsar to protect from belt/zip scratches as you sit on a lightly stepped seat surrounded by sporty two-piece grab bars. Flank panels and an exquisite tail fairing are all-new, as are a duo of flush LED brake lamps. Adding meaty substance to this bike’s proportions is a stainless steel silencer that ends in a substantial alloy canister. This alloy theme is tastily extended to various other bits including the wheels, clip-on handlebars, triple-clamp, footrest mounts and fuel filler.
Bajaj has packed a whole lot of innovation and hard work into the Pulsar’s 220cc Digital Twin Spark-Fuel injected (DTS-Fi) engine (see 'Technology - Fuel Injection, p118). Though it’s a single-cylinder mill that still runs twin valves, that’s about where the similarities with the other Pulsars end. Firstly, this self-started engine has shed its kick lever. Next, this air- and oil-cooled engine features an oil-radiator and a capillary of internal oil galleries that circulate and cool oil to disperse excess heat. As the name suggests, fuel injection and twin spark plugs work in tandem towards obtaining the best possible combustion in any situation.
The fuel injection system is computer-controlled — here, complex computation algorithms factor in a plethora of data including intake air mass, crank position, intake air temperature, throttle position and engine speed before deciding and delivering a precise air-fuel mixture at the intake tract. The sequence in which the twin plugs deliver their sparks also varies all the time, and is perfectly controlled to match every individual condition. And then the DTS-Fi motor enjoys some regular Bajaj features like roller bearings for the rocker arm pivots and camshaft interfaces, as well as an exhausTEC resonator that bumps up torque lower down in the powerband.
A counterbalancer negates crank vibes, while the bike puts out a vigorous 20bhp power at 8500rpm. And 1.95kgm of torque, is obtained at 6500rpm.
The new Pulsar preserves its battery by tripping a circuit and pausing its engine-start sequence if the self-starter is engaged continuously for too long. It also automatically
cuts the headlamp when the starter engages.

Fuel injection, like in any car today, translates into easy starts at any altitude or temperature. It also means cracking throttle response and an uninterrupted, flowing power delivery right through the rev band. In addition, you also can be assured of critical, behind-the-scenes benefits like good fuel efficiency and lower emissions.
A five-speed, one-down-four-up gearbox does duty on the Pulsar DTS-Fi. Yet another significant feature is the exposed and ‘O’ ring sealed drive chain that comes with all links pre-lubricated and separately sealed for corrosion fortification caused by moisture and dirt. Expect this bike’s drive chain to offer minimal maintenance, increased reliability and good life in spite of running exposed to India’s harsh conditions.
We got to ride the DTS-Fi on Bajaj’s Chakan test track, and straight off we can tell you the bike sounds exciting and feels even better. Thumb the starter and its motor cracks in, immediately settling into a quiet and steady idle chatter. Clutch feel is spot on, with each gear clicking home with a positive shift action. Initiated Pulsar riders will immediately identify with this machine’s character-rich DTS-i whir as it fluently stretches stationary into fast-forward mode. The exhaust note, though soft and unobtrusive, also manages to offer a throaty tone.

Performance is smooth, linear and torque laden, a light throttle delivering responsive power low in the band. It’s near-impossible to go easy on this bike as it piles on the revs with the furious feel of a far smaller and lighter machine. Smooth, vibe-free power coaxes you to push hard, slam home quick-shifts and ride silly speeds all the time.
It took only one lap to feel at ease and start pushing the DTS-Fi for all its brawn. Chakan’s back straight is long and allows opening up and getting up close and personal with all those 20 horses. This new Pulsar feels perky, swinging smoothly from one end to the other of its rev-band, instruments flashing out an approaching redline and signalling time for each new gearshift. The bitumen was wet under a light drizzle, but we did comfortably nudge 124kph, with some power still in hand.
The DTS-Fi is composed at high speeds, with ample room to snuggle under its large front fairing and peer through its tinted fly screen. Bajaj claims a 135kph top speed and 50kpl as fuel economy — but we will get the complete picture only after a comprehensive road test.

Riding position on the Pulsar DTS-Fi is unashamedly sporty, with damped clip-on bars, footrest pegs and stepped seat, all falling neatly into position. This is a bike that doesn’t feel its 150kg — it feels light and even nimble while cornering on its 17-inch wheels. While 37mm, pinched clamp telescopic forks bring up the front, the rear uses adjustable, dual gas-charged shock absorbers and an elliptical swingarm that mounts on slick needle roller bearings. The new Pulsar surely promises sparkling ride and handling, although our brief and wet ride forces us to reserve comment till later.
Meanwhile, for the first time in Indian motorcycling history, tyres have gone tubeless and have been specially developed by MRF for the DTS-Fi. Which brings us to the brakes — you get hydraulic discs, both front and rear. The front 265mm disc offers progressive and sure braking, and although we were initially worried about the 230mm rear disc possibly being too powerful, both ends actually are reassuring when braking hard through the gearbox at the end of the long, wet straight.

Our few moments with Bajaj’s Pulsar DTS-Fi reveal that it surely has the goods to take forward the performance baton from the 180 DTS-i. This is clearly a no-compromise bike that’s going to have the competition curling their toes and breaking into a cold sweat.
With undeniably good looks, a more-than-generous helping of features and clever engineering, the important questions now revolve around the DTS-Fi’s performance, price and the reliability of all the new technology. We feel Bajaj will slot this one in well under Rs 100,000 – good value for money in India, and if the bike reaches out further, a bargain abroad.