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S. Muralidhar

I want to buy a Bajaj Pulsar 150 DTSi and replace the rear tyre with that of the Pulsar 180. Can you spell out the advantages and disadvantages of doing this swap? -- Utanka Sarma

The rear tyre that is part of standard fitment in the Bajaj Pulsar 180 is the wider 100/90 X 18, which is nearly an inch wider than the 3.00X18 rear tyre on the Pulsar 150 twin.

As for the disadvantage, the bigger, wider tyre will essentially tell on the bike's fuel efficiency in the long run. Replacing the factory fitted rear tyre with a larger, higher aspect tyre is kind of double edged.

On the one hand, it will improve handling, since it gives the bike much more road grip and as such allows the rider to throw the bike into corners and take very tight turns.

On the other hand, the larger rear tyre will also increase the load on the rear shock absorbers because of more tyre contact with the road. The increase in weight from the larger tyre and the greater traction will also affect the bike's fuel efficiency.

So, if you are passionate about riding the bike and enjoy the man-machine bonding that comes with pushing a decent performance bike like the Pulsar 150 DTSi to the limits, then go ahead and do the swap. Of course, then you should not be too bothered about the lower mileage that you will get from the bike.

The Pulsar 150 DTSi comes with a 2.75X18 tyre in the front and a slightly wider 3.00X18 at the rear to give the rider the feel of a performance bike. It is at the same time not too wide, so the Pulsar, with its new DTSi technology, can continue to try and nearly achieve commuter segment fuel efficiency.

After some Internet research, I have shortlisted the Tata Indica V2 (diesel version) and Alto LX (variant with AC) as the first two choices. I have seen a few user reviews on the Net, complaining about the services rendered by Tata dealers. Hence, I am a bit worried, even though the Indica V2 looks like a better deal. I live in Pune and would like to take long drives once a while; my monthly average will be around 800 km. Please advice whether there are any problems with the Indica. -- Ishwara Chandran

The Tata Indica V2 is positioned as a value for money car in the B segment. The diesel version of the car, priced competitively against similar petrol driven models is even more attractive owing to the fuel price differential. The new Indica V2 is a much improved model compared to the original Indica that was unveiled nearly four years ago.

But what you get in the Indica is trim quality that is a notch lower than the competition. Service quality at the dealerships has not been that big a problem in the past, though market feedback does indicate that there is room for improvement. But that is something many other manufacturers too faced.

So if you are convinced about the product and don't mind the lower trim quality, you could head straight for the nearest Tata dealer. And being in Pune, it should not be difficult to locate one. Bad experiences with dealerships and service stations are more the exception than the rule.I want to buy a bike and the options in mind are Bajaj Wind 125 or Yahama Enticer. I want riding comfort, pickup, mileage of 55-60 kmpl and low maintenance costs. Can you suggest which one to go for? -- Abhijit Butala

It is not fair to try and choose between the Bajaj Wind 125 and the Yamaha Enticer. One is an executive segment, upright postured, fuel efficiency conscious bike, while the other (the Enticer) is a not very powerful, but elegantly built, entry-level cruiser bike.

Both the Yamaha Enticer and the Bajaj Wind 125 sport similar four-stroke 125cc mills that generate the same 11bhp of maximum power. The difference between the two bikes comes from the low-slung riding posture in the Yamaha Enticer and the broader rear tyres, which is in keeping with its cruiser-style build. This will lead to a lower mileage number for the Yamaha bike vis-à-vis the Bajaj Wind 125, which has a more traditional build. The Bajaj Wind 125 has been dubbed the `world bike' by Bajaj, as it has been developed in collaboration with its tech partner Kawasaki of Japan and is expected to be exported to other markets by the latter.

The build quality of Wind 125 is good and the bike should be able to offer about ten per cent more fuel efficiency than the Yamaha Cruiser. Pricing, excluding dealer discounts, will work out to about Rs 45,000 for Bajaj Wind 125 and to about Rs 50,000 for the Enticer (both ex-showroom for disc brake and electric start options).

Of course, if the bike's saddle height is an issue, as in if you are not very tall, then the Enticer may be the better choice. The saddle height of Wind 125 is 800mm.

(Queries may be sent to: q&a@thehindu.co.in or by post to Q&A, Business Line, 859/860, Kasturi Buildings, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 002.)

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