The Hindu Business Line : Question 'N' Auto

I test drove the Bajaj Pulsar twins — the 150 and the 180 DTS-i.— and have decided to buy either of the two. Though I have already booked the 180 DTS-i, but have still not bought it because of the following reasons: I am six-feet tall and had difficulty in changing the gears, which is in the first up and rest four down orientation. I had pain in my left wrist after riding the 180 DTS-i, which I was told could be because of the handle.

Then I rode the 150 DTS-i, and had no problems at all. But a friend, who owns a 150 DTS-I, claims to get low mileage, of 35 kmpl only, though the company claims 70 kmpl. So, I fear that the bigger-engined 180 DTS-i's mileage will be much lower than the expected 40 kmpl. Is there a difference in the handle bar position of the two bikes? I am looking for details about the same and also the advantages of the one-up, four-down gearshift format.

Arif Zoheb

Most Indian bike manufacturers tend to choose the `all the gears down-shift' (toe-shift) or, in some cases, `all the gears up-shift' (heel-shift) format. While these may seem to be, simplistically speaking, the only gearshift formats possible, internationally the orientation generally chosen is first gear downward and the rest upward.

Gearbox refinement, or rather the lack of, it will be less evident in the all up or all down gearshift formats. Also, false neutrals are less likely to show up that often in this format. On the contrary, the incidence of false neutrals could well be twice as much in a first down, rest up gearshift format.

Apart from usually being the more refined format, the gearbox with a one up, rest down shift pattern might offer only one other advantage, which is getting to neutral gear faster (when on the go) compared to the other shift patterns.

Your height, per se, should not be a cause for discomfort when using a first down, rest up gearshift pattern. The more key indicator would be your shoe size, as the shift pattern will require your using both the toe-shift and the heel-shift while accelerating and decelerating, unlike the other two shift patterns where only one (toe or heel) shifter will be used.

The combo (toe and heel) shift lever in most bikes is designed to offer an ideal reach and comfort level for users of average build, but for bikers with smaller or larger shoe sizes the gearshift comfort level will tend to be lower.

Further, as far as ride comfort and seating position in the two Pulsar twins go, the 180 DTS-i's is more sporty and aggressive in keeping with its muscle bike image. So, this bigger-engined bike's riding posture will tend to be a tad bit more bent over and the larger mill's higher vibration levels could be the reason for a slightly higher throb at the handle bar level. In all probability, this could be something that may seem uncomfortable only in the initial, getting-used-to period.

Finally, as regards mileage, the numbers that companies put out in their advertisements and promos are achievable only under standard test conditions, which usually means that you ride at a constant 40 kmph while being in fourth gear all the time. So, actual mileage numbers will always tend to be much lower. Of course, the mileage will tend to vary from one user to the other owing to different road conditions and riding styles. Aggressive riding styles, especially in the case of larger-engined bikes, will affect fuel efficiency.

I am planning to buy a bike and am considering the Honda Unicorn over the Bajaj Pulsar. But I do not want to lose out on the imminent new launches from Suzuki and the other bike makers. I am not sure if I should wait, because the features of Suzuki and the others are not yet fully known. Do you have any particular recommendation regarding a bike that may be worth waiting for?

Sreecharan A.

In the last couple of weeks, there have been a couple of new launches in the same engine size class as the Honda Unicorn and the Bajaj Pulsar. You may want to consider these, too, before making a decision. They include the Hero Honda Achiever, which has already hit the market, and the TVS Apache, which should be ready for delivery startingthis month.

Apart from these, two or three more bikes are likely to be launched in the 100cc plus or exe-commuter category in the next few months. While the information available currently is sketchy, Suzuki is most likely to be the first to launch its bike. The debut motorcycle from Suzuki, which will mark the re-entry of the brand after the break-up with the TVS Group a few years ago, will in all probability feature a 125cc mill.

The bike is expected to be worth the wait, what with Suzuki's in-depth knowledge of the Indian market and its entry into a segment which already features a list of refined, highly competitive bikes. The other manufacturers rumoured to be considering bikes in this segment are Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India and Yamaha Motor India.

If you do not plan to step down and buy bike in the 125cc segment or if the possible six-month-long wait seems putting off, then it may not make sense to prolong your purchase decision. You may want to wait for our detailed test drive profiles of the two newly launched bikes. For now, our first impression will put the TVS Apache ahead of the Hero Honda Achiever in terms of looks and finish quality.

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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