PULSAR 220: STREET FIGHTER: A REVIEW

The P-220 is old hat now. I got mine early August and have done some 2000 kms already. Some other friends like GR and Arpan have the same bike same color. Ours is steel grey color. Even Venkat has a new Red 220. He must have got it for free.

One thing about the Street Fighter: Once I get on the bike I don’t want to get off it. The ride pleasure is that good.

On my first ride out to the Mutha Ghats, I had a tough time finding the kick starter. Later Venkat told me no kicker on 220! No fuel cock also. There is some pump fitted to inject fuel.

I joined a ship 10 Aug, which was not sailing and took the brand new bike to Mumbai.

For running in the bike, every Sunday, I used the Palm Beach road at Nerul, near Vashi, New Bombay. Here I met many cyclist clubs, racing cycles. I met one cycle man dressed like Armstrong. He told me his cycle cost him some Rs. 1.25 Lacs!!

The bike rides beautifully tween 4000-6000 rpm. Occasionally I ripped to 90 kmph. No sweat.

I did a lot of city biking on the Marine Drive, Malabar Hill and Colaba area. I was amazed to see so many people stop by and ask about the bike. In a city like Mumbai, where people spit on Mercedes, it was nice to be asked questions about the P 220. Surprisingly, I did not see another P-220 on the South Mumbai roads. No wonder 220 has a status here. Plenty of ZMA’s here but they look dated. ZMA’s are noiseless. 220 has a bad throat like noise.

At the United Services Club, where I entertained many bikers, the 220 drew curious on lookers. Even Anil Ambani stopped by to say hello to Street Fighter. An Orkut friend loved riding as pillion. She was ecstatic. Something like the AXE effect.

HANDLING

Compared to the Avenger, I found it so nice to handle the 220. Taking corners is easy at any speed. The road grip is solid. You can trust this bike at high speeds.

The gear shift is much smoother. No false neutrals. The LED panel, indicator lights, LCD displays, direct fuel injection all are wonder innovations.

The rear disk break is fantastic. Awesome by any standards!

Regretfully, I don’t have full riding gear to race with the Rubber Smoking Angels. Else the Mutha Ghat at Pune is the place to ride the Street Fighter.

TOURING

I think this bike can be used for touring without causing any back aches. The seating position is a bit aggressive, but fine. Is there enough repair support available at places like Leh to ride this bike?

Mumbai Pune Ride

17^th Oct, I signed off and rode the 220 to Pune, with my wife in a Santro carrying all my luggage. After Panvel, I slowly started to take the bike to the limits. 80-90-99 was easy. On the S bends I could take her to 75. The bike grips the road well. Avenger would have thrown me off.

I figured I could go faster. “!!! Ride the bike as if you stole it !!!”, said a 220 rider. Slowly I took her to 95-100-105-110. The feel was like driving a Ferrari at a fraction of the cost of the car. There was juice left in the engine to go higher. But I did not want to risk the engine, coz I have done almost 2300 kms and due for servicing. I have no idea how much oil is left in the sump. The last oil change was at 500 kms.

The Khandala ghats were fun too.

I am lucky that we have Mr. Pendharkar in Pune to take care of our high tech bikes. Guys in Mumbai n Hyd are crying for support.

Ride On…….

Captain Nandu Chitnis