I'm L.G.Ravisankar from Chennai. I own a Pulsar 180 UG3 Wine Red since Sep 2008. I have done with 6000+ Kms till date. Pulsar 180 UG3 is a Great Bike!!! There is no doubt about it.
It is Distinctly Ahead in Style, Performance, Comfort, Reliability and the most important factor, the safety!. The Bike comes with Great features, Suitable for All road conditions. I'm extremely happy with my bike, infact my pulsar has become a part of my family. Let us go through the features of this bike one-by one.
Power & Acceleration:
The bike comes with a Single Cylinder Air-cooled 180CC DTS-i Gasoline engine, which offers a maximum power output of 16.5 BHP. The Power delivery of this bike is amazingly superb and linear throughout the journey. According to me, The Pick-up of the bike plays an important role in heavy traffic conditions where there will be frequent 'stops' and 'starts'. During such condition, If your pick-up is bad, then your successor may hit you and damage your bike parts.
In my case, My P180 offers a Lighting pick-up which makes me superior and cross the traffic barrier within few seconds from the start. It is hard for any one to catch me. The Gear-ratios are so perfectly framed that you need not change your gears more often. Well done bajaj!.
Economy:
I'm sharing the fuel efficiency of my bike under different conditions.
Pre-requisites for the test -
The bike to be ridden with solo rider (without pillion), weighing 75 Kg at 30 degree centigrade.
Tyre pressure (Front: 25 psi and Rear 33 psi).
The Bike is well maintained and kept in good condition.
Fuel Economy of my Pulsar 180 UG3 with respect to Various test conditions -
Highway Ride conditions > 60 ~ 70 KmpL (Steady Speeds between 52 & 55 Kmph)
Normal City Traffic conditions > 50 ~ 59 KmpL (Steady Speeds between 40 & 55 Kmph)
Heavy Traffic conditions > 43 ~ 49 KmpL (Steady Speeds between 5 & 40 Kmph)
Racing conditions > 37 ~ 42 KmpL (Fluctuating Speeds between 60 &105 Kmph)
Follow my fuel saving tips, you will surely get the mileage posted above -
- Avoid Sudden Acceleration, Gradually raise the speeds, hold your throttle in specific position until
the speed is fully achieved.
Avoid Harsh Braking, infact I recommend not to use brakes! unless if it is mandatory. If you see a Red-Signal ahead better to cut of the throttle few meters before so that your bike will retard by itself without the usage of brakes. Justify yourself when riding.
Avoid Clutch riding. Release the Clutch Fully as soon as possible. If you stop for more than 5 Secs, better bring the bike to neutral and release the clutch.
Maintain Proper tyre pressure. (Front 25 psi and Rear 33 psi)
Fill the fuel during early morning or late night from petrol stations. Mid-day fueling will not give you the correct quantity because the fuel supply lines and storage tanks will contain lot of vapour due to heat from sun.
Everyday, during first start allow your bike to run idle atleast for 1 min before engaging the gears. This will allow the engine oil to work and regulate heat distribution across the engine.
Maintain your vehicle properly, Clean your carburettor and air-filter once in every 2500 Kms. Replace anyother spares (if necessary) on schedule. Especially the engine oil!
Safety:
Pulsar is known for Quick Acceleration, but I say "He is very good in retardation too". The Sensitivity of the brakes are wonderful and responsive in All Weather / Road conditions. Especially the front disc brakes, very powerful one. The Road-Grip of the bike is also excellent, Even at harsh braking situations, the bike remains unshaken. My bike saved me from many pit falls during its time.
I would like to post my true experience here...It was a bright day, I was rushing to office in my pulsar 180, Speeding around 85 Kmph in Vadapalani-Koyambedu 100ft road.
Suddenly a Car appeared in, just like a cattle trying to cross the road. It was heading in wrong direction few meters opposite to me. I got panicked, my B.P Went up and not able to take any decision at that moment. My only hope was the brakes, I applied it stringently and sticked onto it.
After a couple of seconds...What a Wonder! My bike came to zero stop from 85 Kmph in less than 3m distance, saving me narrowly from a big-bang!
There wasn't even a little skid in tyres. It was the thrillest experience I ever had in my life time.
I thank god and my pulsar 180, for saving me. I bet, no other indian bike would have saved me like the pulsar did that time.
Value Additions:
The Streamlined finish with lowered headlamp is a great feature in pulsar. Looks Incredible.
Orange themed Instrument panel with large LED display and back-lit switches brings me the feel of a Cockpit. I think Pulsar is the first indian bike to provide such features. I get a True digital biking experience during every ride. Self-cancelling indicators are wonderful addition to this product but it fails sometimes. Quality improvement is required for them.
The Gas-Assisted Rear suspension gives you better feel even in humpy dumpy roads. Tall Riders may have little discomfort in the begining but not to worry, they will get adopted quickly. I feel that the seats are very hard hence difficult to take long rides without stoppages.
Maintenance:
Pulsar is absolutely Maintenance-free. Incase if problem arises, it's better to take him to a private shop rather taking to a Bajaj Authorised Service Centers.
Bajaj Authorised Service Centers are of no use!. They handle the vehicle very rudely, creating scratches, damaging the parts and not doing the service upto the mark. In some bajaj service stations, they fill adulterated engine oils during service and misuse our vehicles by giving it for 'Test Rides'. Very Pathetic!
It is better to replace the engine oil on your own as per schedule given in your Owner's Manual, purchase Oil from SHELL, it might be costly but very good in quality.
Bajaj promises 2 year warranty for this product, But it is very difficult to claim warranty in any Bajaj Authorised Service Centers. They never listen to the customer complaints, simply try to convince them. Bajaj Should come forward and ensure that all the customer complaints are solved without fail.
My Verdict:
Pulsar 180 UG3 is a wonderful performer. No other bike in India is as affordable as P180 for its features. It's a Fully Loaded Marvel Machine. The Most important thing is, it brings you Power without draining your Pocket with Assured safety!
Some pessimists may discourage pulsar against engine noise and gear box problems, but I dont care about them. Pulsar is Pulsar!!! It is the bike you can trust.
There is no second thought about it. I want my next bike to be a Pulsar Only
Regards-
Ravisankar.L G
Software Consultant
Madipakkam, Chennai-91, India.
