Pulsar 220 or Karizma FI

In last couple of years we have observed a clear shift from 100cc to 125cc / 150cc bikes and 150cc to 180 to 220cc performance oriented bikes. Altough the first question a average Indian commuter asks while going for a new bike is "Average kitna hai?" (whats the fuel economy), the priority for our Desi-Biker has now changed. He expects power, performance, riding comfort, features and technology. This is surely a welcome sign and as the demand for such bike grows we will surely see world class bikes being imported or manufactured in India.

Recently i have received lots of queries like:

Hi,
I got your e-mail id from the confused programmer website.
I am about to buy a bajaj pulsar 220 in jan 2008.But some of my friends and some information on the internet suggests that a few indian bike manufacturers are taking over some european giants like ducati,triumph,etc.
Since i have a budget of around 1.5 lakhs and this is the only bike i will be using for a long time i want to make a good investment.can you pls let me know if actually any of these deals might work out and could launch a bike in 2008 in my budget.And pls let me know if my choice of going for a bajaj p220 is good or not or should i go for the new karizma f1 or others if any pls suggest.
I hope you will reply soon.
-Yours sincerely,
Ishan M.

So question usually the question is Pulsar220 vs Karizma FI and in this case we are also considering any future launches from Ducati,Triumph, KTM, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki.

Following are few points that we all can consider before making any decision:

• Karizma Fi is not yet launched and there is no confirmed news from anywhere that it will ever be launched.
  
• The Pulsar 220 Dtsi is by far the best Indian bike we have right now and much more advanced and powerful than any other bikes including Karizma R. (Keeping aside the Bullets and Kinetic Comet).
• Bajaj was earlier in talks with Ducati and Triumph, but no updates on that.
  
• Bajaj recently acquired a 17% stake in KTM. 250cc to 990cc bikes like super duke would be available in pro biking showrooms from mid next year. But these would be purely imports and imports attract a duty of 105%. Even the 250cc bike from KTM is expected to cost 2 lakh upwards.
• Yamaha R1 which costs about 5 lakhs in the foreign market will costs 11 lakhs here. Harley Davidson has dropped its plans for India because of such high import duties. So any bike like Yamaha YZFR125 / Ninja 250 / CBR 125 will all cost 3lakhs+ in India even if imported by any of the Indian company. No company has any confirmed plans of jointly manufacturing them in India.

So Bajaj definitely have plans of manufacturing bikes 300cc to 600cc with tech from KTM and Kawasaki but i don't see anything hitting the roads in next 2 years at the very least.


Related Links:-
1)Bajaj Pulsar DTS FI 220cc
2) 2008 Honda CBR1000
3) Super Bikes Comming soon
4) Yamaha R1 and MT01 in India
5) 2008 Kawasaki Ninja250R
5) Yamaha YZF-R125 VS Honda CBR125 VS Kymco KR Sport
6) Harley Davidson
7) Bajaj acquires stake in KTM
8) Bajaj chasing Ducati, Triumph
9) Bajaj likely to acquire Triumph

Hero Honda Hunk 150cc finally launched at 55,000

Earlier post about the hunk

The country's largest two-wheeler maker Hero Honda on Wednesday launched its 150cc bike 'Hunk' at a starting price of Rs 55,000 (at ex-showroom Delhi).
UPDATED:
The company that started the 150cc performance segment in India with the CBZ has now launched two variants of the Hunk, kick-start and self-start.This was no surprise as the CBZ xtreme that was launched about 11 months ago was not very successful in the segment where as The achiever was a big flop. After the CBZ and Karizma, Hero Honda was struggling with the design of their bikes which were not appealing to our Desi bikers. But this time It appears that they have done quite a decent job With the Hunk150cc.

Pictures of Hero Honda Hunk :-
Hero Honda Hunk in Blue color
Hero Honda Hunk in Silver color
A steeped seat proves a sporty riding position for the rider.
Hero Honda Hunk in red color
The gas charged shox, a first on a Hero Honda should definitely improve the ride quality. Note the big grab rail, would have looked much better with a split grab like the one on Apache rtr or CBZ x .The bike will be available in four colours - black, blue, red and silver.
pics courtesy http://rearset.blogspot.com

No digital console, a bright red chrome rimmed analog console with a tacho and a fuel gauge.

The rear panel looks like apache a bit but has a clever two tone scheme and it appears as if the short tail exposes the frame. The silencer and side panel are borrowed from Karizma. The headlight resemble the Achiever and the rear mudguard from pulsar and has a supporting frame from inside to prevent it from rattling. Overall looks a lot more muscular much better than CBZ xtreme. The bike has to be seen in flesh and look much better than that in the pics.

The hunk has the same engine as that of the CBZ extreme pumping out same power.

The kick-star would be available at Rs 55,000, the company would charge a premium of Rs 2,000 for the self-start model which is priced at Rs 57,000.

The technical specifications of the Hero Honda Hunk 150 cc :-
Technical Specification
Engine : Air Cooled, 4 - Stroke Single Cylinder OHC
Displacement : 149.2 cc
Max Power : 10.6 Kw (14.4 Ps ) @ 8500 rpm
Torque : 12.80 N-m @ 6500 rpm
Bore x Stoke : 57.3 X 57.8 mm
Carburettor : C. V Type
Ignition : AMI - Advanced Microprocessor Ignition System
Gear Box : 5 Speed Constant Mesh
Type : Tubular, Diamond Type
Suspension :
Front- Telescopic Hydraulic Shock Absorbers
Rear- Rectangular Swing Arm with 5 Step Adjustable Gas Reservoir Suspension - GRS
Brakes :
Front- Disc: 240 mm Dia Disc - Non Asbestos Type
Rear- Drum: Internal Expanding Shoe Type (130 mm), Non Asbestos Type.
Rim Size :
Front- 18 X 1.85, Alloy Wheel
Rear - 18 X 2.15, Alloy Wheel
Tyre Size:
Front- 2.75 X 18 42P
Rear-100/90 X 18 - 56P (With Tuff-up Tube)
Battery : 12V -7 Ah
Head Light : 12V - 35 / 35 W = Halogen Bulb (Mulit Reflector Type)
Tail Lamp : 12 V - 5W
Stop Lamp : 12V - 21W
Turn Signal Lamp : 12 V - 10W x 4 nos, Clear Lense, Multi reflector Type.
Fuel Tank Capacity : 12.4 Ltrs
Reserve- 2.2 Ltrs (Usable Reserve)
Length : 2080 mm
Width : 765 mm'
Height : 1095 mm
Wheel Base: 1325 mm
Saddle Height : 795 mm
Ground Clearance : 145 mm
Kerb Weight : 143 Kg (Kick) / 146 Kg (self)
Note :- The technical specifications of 150cc Hunk are exactly same as that of CBZ xtreme. The over all weight has gone up by 3 kgs.

The next interesting would be to compare the Hunk with Pulsar 150 and Apache rtr 160.
Do come back for Pulsar 150 Dtsi vs Apache Rtr160 vs Hero Honda Hunk Vs CBZ Extreme.
And also for my test drive and review of Hero Honda 150cc Hunk.

You may also find the following intresting:-
1) Apache RTR 160 EFi
2) Hero Honda Hunk 150 cc
3) TVS Flame 125
4) Bajaj XCD 125

New TVS Apache RTR 160

Tvs has recently launched the 160 cc version of its apache, The apache RTR which stands for Racing throttle Response. Not sure what technology is that, mostly a marketting gimic. But it surely is the most powerful bike amonst the other 150 cc bikes like Bajaj Pulsar150 and CBZ extreme. It surely cannot be compared to the new Pulsar 220 or even Karizma. It has striking features, the most distinctive are the racing strip, disk brakes, engine fairings, digital tachometers etc.

The price is expected to be around 63k

Apache rtr 15.2 ps
CBZ extreme 14.2 ps
Pulsar 150 14.09 ps

Some of the highlights of the new TVS Apache RTR 160
• new engine cowl
• A neat racing stripe runs all the way from the top of the tail lamp to the tip of the front fender and also on the tacho.
• Design upgrades on levers, pedals, grips, bar-end dampers, lights, dash.
• Hero Honda Xtreme type split grab rail
• Bajaj Pulsar type LCD speedometer
• Apart from the LCD speedo, the new dash includes two trip meter, clock, odometer and fuel gauge and an analog tachometer.
• Aircraft type fuel tank lid
• Leaf shaped rear view mirror
• LED tail lamp
• New aluminum foot pegs and aluminum levers