 Bajaj Auto’s iconic Pulsar range of bikes is due for a revamp and the 180 DTS-I is the first to roll out. AutoCar (May ’09) takes a first look…
The 180 DTS-I has always been an important Pulsar. Flanked by the 150 DTS-I, 200 DTS-I and flagship 220 DTS-Fi, this is an attractively priced Pulsar that Bajaj hopes you will turn to when you’re bored of the 150s. and the 180 has just taken its game a few steps forward. It’s easy to mistake the trendy looking new Pulsar for the older 200 as the 180 borrows a raft of features from its bigger brother, including its mini-tank extensions, beefy front forks, split seat and grab bar as well as a nicer-looking exposed O’ring sealed drive chain.
The new 180 also provides sporty clip-on bars as first found on only the 220 and comes with smarter raised letter decals and a tank-protecting pad atop the fuel tank. Top-drawer equipment like illuminated, contact-less switches are constant on the new bike, as is its four-stroke, single-cylinder, air-cooled, 178.6cc power plant. The new Pulsar 180 uses a 1-down, 4-up shift pattern for its five-speed gearbox, and shifts via a light action toe shift lever as before.
The new 180’s riding position is semi-sporty while handling is positively more stable, if also a little heavier thanks to larger tyres that share dimensions with the 200.
At the rear the Pulsar 180 still uses twin, gas-charged suspension units, but these are now linked to the bike via an elliptical section swingarm instead of the earlier seen rectangular unit. The Pulsar 180 offers quicker stops, thanks to its deploying a larger diameter 260mm front disc brake. The new bike stops from 60-0kph in an impressive 15.6 meters compared to the older model’s 16.5 meters.
Attractively priced at Rs. 62,446 (ex-showroom, Pune), the new Pulsar 180 DTS-I makes a strong case for Bajaj to upgrade its Pulsar 200 DTS-I which we hear, will happen soon. Expect the Pulsars 150, 200 and 220 to shortly follow in the upgraded footsteps of this new Pulsar 180 DTS-I sums up AutoCar (May ’09).
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| Article By IndiaBike.com on 24th August 2009 |
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