Chassis? Engine? Brakes? What's the Pick?

A couple of hours' ride in my brother's Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi confirmed all that I've read about this bike. That this is one properly astounding bike. Just a few seconds after I started off, I started thinking about the Porsche Boxster. Boxster has a reputation for having a chassis that exceeds the capability of its engine. In short, the Porsche Boxster is said to be over-chassied. How much ever one provoked the car, it would simply astonish the driver with its astronomical levels of sheer mechanical grip. The fuel injected Pulsar, I believe, is in the same category. The chassis is absolutely awesome. I just loved every bit of that perfectly balanced chassis - balanced in the sense that the front tyre seems to bear the exact same mass as the rear. I didn't even need to turn the ignition on, to learn this much about the chassis; sitting on the bike, a push was all what it needed.

Ah, the rear-set foot pegs. They are wonderful. It, along with the clip-ons, provides just the right recipe for a commanding riding stance; commanding in the sense, you just somehow know, immediately after taking-off, that this chassis is going to respond - beautifully, with utmost ease - to every one of your silly inputs.

It doesn't scare you silly on the road. And this is most disappointing for me. I touched a top whack of 78 kph (with my brother in the pillion seat) and frankly it was like a brisk stroll in the park. No dramas whatsoever. Signs of over-chassisying.

I've read many reports that complain the rear 230mm disc to be giving no more feel than a drum brake. I'm happy and relieved to tell you that this is not the case. This bike belongs to the second batch of vehicles and it is said that Bajaj has made some tweaks to the caliper in an effort to cure some over-heating problems. I'm not sure that they've successfully managed it though I can say that probably, this has made the disc brake a proper disc. Yes, it doesn't have the bite of the front 260mm unit, but this is perfectly understandable. Rear brakes shouldn't have too much sensitivity lest they'll lock-up when weight transfer lightens up the rear under hard braking. The feel is reassuring and the stopping power is excellent - even with the rear brake alone. The front, meanwhile, is even better.

The engine is un-stressed even considering the fact that this has done only about 700 odd kilometers. It has that characteristic feel of the twin-plugged head of Bajaj engines. A crisp, vibrations-isolated soft throb along with a very good shifting 'box makes for a truly exceptional powertrain.

Did I tell you how it feels like to have every pair of those eyes ogle at you when you stop at traffic signals or when you pull up in the parking lot of a multiplex? Well, you have to try it to believe it. I can only tell you that a wide smile (hidden beneath the helmet albeit) etches on your face. Wicked.

At the end of the day, I have only one grouse. This chassis should have been made to handle an extra 10 horse power. It's that capable enough.