• Investment World
• eWorld
• Catalyst
• Mentor
• Life
• Canvas
• Praxis
• Urban Pulse
• Brand Quest

S. Muralidhar

I AM 24-year-old employed in a software company in Bangalore and am planning to buy a new bike. For the past six years, I have been using a Kinetic Honda DX 1991 model. I must say that riding a Kinetic Honda makes you long for a 2-wheeler with better mileage. However, I am also looking for performance. Some personal info here: I tilt the scales at 100-kg-plus and am apprehensive about buying a bike with lower engine power. Also, I am a bit deterred by the fact that I have never driven a geared bike before.

Currently, I have zeroed in on the TVS Victor GL, TVS Victor GLX or the Bajaj Pulsar DTS-i 150cc. It may be unfair to compare bikes across different segments, but I am trying to explore options here. My daily routine involves a lot of city riding in Bangalore. My budget is up to a maximum of Rs 60,000 and the features that I am looking for are class leading mileage, good handling, low maintenance costs and a reasonable resale value.

While the lower price and better mileage of the Victor GL are attractive, I am apprehensive if it would have the power to carry my bulky frame. The Pulsar DTS-i 150cc seems to meet most of my requirements but the higher price, potential for higher maintenance costs and the fact that I have never used a motorbike before add to my doubts as to whether this is too powerful a package for me to handle. As a compromise I am looking at the 125cc Victor GLX, but am not sure if it will fit the bill. What will you recommend?

S. Naveen

We will recommend the Honda Unicorn as a better option compared to all the others that you have listed. The main reason for choosing this new Honda bike is its sturdy build quality, adequate power and, more important, revolutionary mono-suspension at the rear. Much more than taking into consideration the peak power, in your specific case, the peak torque rating, the build of the bike, strength of the suspension and the potential driving dynamics of the bike are more important characteristics that you should be looking at.

The Unicorn will easily be rated as the most stable bike amongst its peers in the 150cc class. The advantage comes from its mono-suspension, which is located just below the rider's seat position and at the junction of the bike's diamond frame and its rectangular swing arms' axis.

Instead of conventional twin shock absorbers in the rear, the Unicorn incorporates this single, high performance shock absorber mounted on a much tougher diamond frame. This suspension and frame combo offers superior riding comfort and excellent stability, an important trait that could offer riders of above average build a safer and better riding experience.

The Unicorn's mono suspension design ensures centralisation of mass. By positioning the suspension close to the centre of gravity of the machine, turning characteristics, stability during braking and the overall riding performance is substantially enhanced. The Unicorn is also within your budget and it is adequately powered with a peak power rating of 13.3 bhp and a peak torque of 12.8 Nm at 5,500 rpm.

My query is regarding the Bajaj Pulsar 180cc that I own. I am interested in fixing a pair of gas shock absorbers at the rear of the bike. I am also exploring the possibility of attaching a disc brake to the rear wheel.

Will there be a definite change in the comfort factor after the parts are retrofitted to the bike? What is your take on this modification and what effect will there be on the performance of the bike? I get a mileage of around 50 kmpl using IOC Xtra Premium petrol regularly. Will there be an improvement in fuel efficiency?

Danny Thomas

Fixing gas shock absorbers to the Bajaj Pulsar 180cc should improve the ride quality and stability of the bike. But, quite apart from checking if retrofitting the gas shock absorbers will be possible and hassle free, you will also have to look at the cost-benefit to see if it will be worth it.

Bajaj has upgraded the Pulsar twins — 150 and 180 DTS-i — with gas shock absorbers at the rear. That is an indicator that it should be possible to fit gas shocks at the rear, but make sure that not too many other components such as mounts and sub-frames also need to be changed. Also, Bajaj has chosen gas shock absorbers with an external reservoir.

However, you may want to check if, instead of an external reservoir, compatible gas shock absorbers with an internal bladder are available. These type of gas shock absorbers tend to be more compact, though there is no supporting data available to show if either of these are more long lasting.

Fitting disc brakes at the rear wheel of the Pulsar will again require you to check with the manufacturer's dealers/mechanics about whether the alteration will be possible. The Pulsar's 240mm front disc brakes will be enough even for the rear wheel. Disc brakes are inherently capable of performing better than mechanically expanding shoe and drum brakes. But while the disc brakes at the rear will most certainly improve the bike's braking performance and reduce the stopping distance, we will have to reiterate that they need to be used cautiously, until you become comfortable with their usage.

These two modifications are unlikely to have a major impact on the bike's fuel efficiency. On the contrary, combined with alloys, which are lighter than conventional steel wheels, they may improve the bike's mileage.

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.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Nomination and transmission

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu Business Line. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu Business Line